Tebogo Langa

What does your company do?

Oakantswe Construction and Projects is a 100% woman owned company that specializes in the construction and maintenance of bulk electrical infrastructure for public and private sector. We have expertise in offering turnkey electrical network infrastructure solutions. Our services include Construction and maintenance of electrical network (LV, MV and HV), public lighting, primary and secondary substation. We further offer alternative energy solutions grom generator installation and maintenance to solar systems. By working closely with our customers, we assist them in optimising their energy consumption, leading to significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency.

What is your biggest success?

Our biggest company success at Oakantswe has been fostering a culture of mentorship and skills development and completing a major bulk electrical project for our key client. This project was a milestone that demonstrated our expertise and capability in handling large-scale, complex assignments. We were awarded the CIDB 2022 project excellence award of the year. Our team applied innovative solutions, maintaining high standards of safety and quality, and successfully completed the project on time and within budget. The outcome was a state-of-the-art electrical system that enhanced operational efficiency. This achievement significantly boosted our revenue and enhanced our industry reputation. It underscored the strength and capability of our women-led team, inspiring other women in the industry. Mentoring and skills development are core to how we operate. Our employees consistently express high job satisfaction, appreciating the supportive environment and opportunities for personal and professional growth. This success is not just internal but also translates to our projects. Our biggest success lies in our employees' growth and satisfaction, driving the overall success of Oakantswe Construction and Projects."

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Industry barriers As a woman in a predominantly male field, I had to overcome gender biases and resist the pushback from those who doubted my abilities in a technical and physical demanding industry. Access to capital Securing funding with banks was not easy especially in a capital-intensive sector like construction, banks wait for SMME's to be fully established before they can trust. They don't speak the Vision language but Risk language.