Wootware
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computers Computer hardware Computer software Consumer electronics |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founders | Rory David Magee |
| Headquarters | |
Key people | Rory David Magee (Founder & CEO) |
| Products | Computer hardware, software, peripherals, gaming, electronics, accessories, PCs, laptops and more |
| Website | wootware.co.za |
Wootware.co.za is a South Africa online retailer of computer hardware and software, specializing in enthusiast computing and gaming equipment. Founded in 2007 by Rory David Magee with an initial investment of R50,000[1], the company has grown from a bedroom-based start-up to become one of South Africa's leading online technology retailers.
Based in Somerset West, Western Cape, Wootware has achieved significant growth over its 18-year history, processing billions of rands worth of orders for more than 150,000 customers. The company has maintained a compound annual growth rate of 32% over the past decade, with turnover continuing to increase in double digits annually.
History
Wootware was founded in 2007 by Rory David Magee and operated from a residential address in Somerset West. Expansion required that the business relocate to the Somerset West Business Park in 2013, which currently serves as the headquarters of operation.
Name
The term Woot originated as a hacker-term for root (or administrative) access to a computer. However, the term coincides with the gamer term w00t which is a portmanteau of the words 'Wow, loot!'
Distribution and brand offering
Among others, brand offering includes tier-one OEMs / vendors, Intel and AMD CPU ranges as well as NVIDIA and AMD Radeon video cards.
| Details | Who | When |
|---|---|---|
| The man with a matric who launched a South African online PC giant with R50,000 | Mybroadband[1] | (2025) |
| Ranked #2 online store in South Africa | Mybroadband[2] | (2020) |
| Listed as one of the most popular online stores in South Africa | Mybroadband[3] | (2019) |
| Build your own gaming laptop with WootBook | Mybroadband[4] | (2018) |
| Wootware explains why it started making and selling notebooks | htxt.africa[5] | (2018) |
| Wootware hosts the official AMD Ryzen launch in Cape Town | NAG Online[6] | (2017) |
| Bizcommunity featured article for #CommerceMonth | Bizcommunity[7] | (2016) |
| Ranked #2 online shop in South Africa via NPS (Net Promoter Score) on MyBroadband Survey | Mybroadband[8] | (2015) |
| Ranked within the top 50 eCommerce websites in South Africa | uAfrica.com[9] | (2015) |
| Featured article on growing success in e-commerce | Ventureburn[10] | (2015) |
| Ranked #3 in the best online shops in South Africa | Mybroadband[11] | (2015) |
See also
References
- ^ a b Labuschagne, Hanno (2025-08-07). "The man with a matric who launched a South African online PC giant with R50,000".
- ^ "Most popular online store in South Africa". 2020-03-18.
- ^ "The most popular online shops in South Africa". 2019-03-26.
- ^ McKane, Jamie (2018-05-22). "Build your own gaming laptop with WootBook".
- ^ Lotz, Brendyn (2018-05-04). "Wootware explains why it started making and selling notebooks".
- ^ Fick, Wesley (2017-04-24). "Wootware and AMD's Ryzen Launch Event in Cape Town".
- ^ Hartzenberg, Lauren (2016-04-25). "Wooting up e-commerce with Rory Magee". Bizcommunity.
- ^ "Best and worst online shops in South Africa". Mybroadband. 2015-11-02.
- ^ Thomas, Stuart (2015-08-18). "50 of South Africa's top ecommerce sites". Ventureburn.
- ^ van der Merwe, Graham (2015-06-01). "Wootware's Rory Magee on growing ecommerce success in oversaturated market". Ventureburn.
- ^ "Best online shops in South Africa". Mybroadband. 2015-01-19.