Nintendo powers Soweto gaming station

Young entrepreneurs from Soweto have come up with a novel solution for keeping local kids off the streets, and safe indoors while having fun and learning about technology at the same time.

Amos Mtsolonga and Musa Maphongwane realised that there was a desperate need in their hometown of Soweto to keep children occupied, educate them about technology and let them experience the fun of Nintendo Wii games, all at a nominal fee.

The two formed a partnership when they decided to create an all in one gaming station for the locals. When they realised the costs of renting in a shopping mall would be too high, they decided to purchase a container which could house several TV’s, Nintendo Wiis, as well as benches. Fully kitted out inside, and branded creatively by a local graffiti artist, Kasty Gaming Zone was born.

Up to 800 children per week visit the Kasty Gaming Zone, some of them walking from as far as 10 km away, and for only R1 to play for 10 minutes, its no wonder that after only a few months, one container grew to 7. When asked about their rapid growth, the two say that they hope to have 100 containers in the next five years.

Its no surprise to hear of such ambition from these two young men, they have, after all been backed by Sir Richard Branson, and won the coveted prize of R100,000.00 and mentoring from the Branson School of entrepreneurship. All this leadership and support has definitely led them in the right direction, and Nintendo is extremely excited to be on board.

Nintendo as a company is the perfect fit for this project: all the games are interactive, fun and can be enjoyed by all ages. Musa says ‚ We are so excited and delighted to be using Nintendo in our Gaming Zone, and we are looking forward to a long ongoing partnership between the two brands.‚ There has also been a fantastic response to the partnership with Musa saying ‚The kids and families in Soweto are so excited about the product and the love the games. They are particularly fond of all the sports and soccer games, and anything Super Mario related.‚

Core gaming Systems are equally excited abut this project, and are particularly thrilled by the fact that local kids can experience the joys of Nintendo Wii, stay off the streets and out of trouble all at the same time.