Local entrepreneur opens business to prevent the youth from succumbing to social ills

Albertsdal resident Tinashe Zimoyo (24) has launched another business. This time, he aims to keep the youth from succumbing to social ills.

The entrepreneur recently launched the Gameway Arcade Store in Alberton North.

Zimoyo attended Secunda Primary School and then Bracken High School.

He said growing up in the area allowed him to learn more about the local community, making him want to start his business.

He started his first engineering company in 2020 and named it SUPCON Engineering.

“There are many reasons why I took a leap of faith and opened my engineering company, but the main reason was I wanted to add value in the country because we have been maintaining infrastructure, especially water-related structures,” he said.

Zimoyo was a civil engineering honours student at the University of Johannesburg. His engineering business is booming across SA, especially in the Free State and Limpopo, because the provinces are known to have a water crisis.

“I always knew I would be my own boss because I never dreamt like others of having a boss or working for a certain company rather than my own. I always motivated myself with a simple phrase which says, ‘Risk it all and lose nothing’. This made me who I am today,” said Zimoyo.

Zimoyo’s background

Raised by his parents, Zimoyo had their support in everything he did. His father, a mechanical engineer, motivated him.

The businessman told Alberton Record he grew up in a loving and warm family and learnt to treat everyone and everything respectfully.

“Our high school played the most significant role in my upbringing because it taught us to be independent and always to believe that everything we dream of exists as long as we put in the required effort and time,” Zimoyo said.

Zimoyo’s new venture

The arcade games store was born during Zimoyo’s high school years because his community lacked the facilities.

He said it always pained him to see his peers and schoolmates using drugs, drinking alcohol and not using their time wisely. Seeing this planted the idea of an arcade store because sports were there, but they did not make much difference in the area because most individuals did not participate in sports.

“I then grouped with friends and told them about my idea. I wanted it to work so badly, but, at that time, it did not work due to a lack of funding. Plus, I realised it was my dream to carry because my friends never spoke about it again after matric,” said Zimoyo.

He said he saved and raised R190 000 to start the arcade store. He used to drive around Alberton North and still saw learners using substances and drinking alcohol after school hours, and decided to act immediately to save the community.

“As much as I wanted to get them off the streets and away from social ills, I did not want to build an arcade games store that was not of quality. I knew something sophisticated, appealing and user-friendly would attract these young and talented beings to spend their time wisely,” Zimoyo said.

Arcade game facilities are not just video game stores.

“They teach individuals to think about their decisions and take calculated risks. Playing video games can enhance focus, creativity, memory, language skills, and teamwork. Playing them can help you learn new things and improve your cognitive abilities.

Zimoyo said his store is not all about money but keeping the youth off the streets.

The entrance fee will help to maintain the facility and ensure the development of another facility before year-end or early next year.

Local entrepreneur’s hobbies

Zimoyo believes that spending quality time with his loved ones is a hobby in its own right because he enjoys doing it, and it comes effortlessly.

He also has a podcast called SOTA Podcast. He also sees this as one of his hobbies because he gets time to talk with men from all walks of life.

“I decided to initiate this podcast because society has certain beliefs about men, and these beliefs negatively impact them because men have lost themselves trying to live for society. Also, I targeted men because I, too, am walking the journey as a man, so we relate somewhere, somehow,” said Zimoyo.

He enjoys travelling and building personal and professional relationships.

Zimoyo’s advice to young individuals

Between 18 and 35 is the perfect age to risk everything and take opportunities.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away. An early start is vital to work on your dreams and goals. It is also not a shame to fail because you can always return home and seek new opportunities,” Zimoyo advised.

The store is on 55 Pieter Uys Avenue, Florentia, or you can call Zimoyo on 062 484 9613.