CRÉATION AFRICA: Two former Wits students taking SA gaming global, starting with taxis and spinning

Eric Gardiner and Mamello Raboroko, two former Wits University students, are taking South African gaming to the world stage. Their debut game, Taxi Ranked, has garnered over 500,000 downloads and their South African gaming approach has earned them a spot as top 15 finalists for the 2026 Création Africa incubation program hosted by the French Institute of South Africa.

Founded in 2023, Vetkoek Studios, the company they co-founded, has since branched out to include games with social messages, such as Aquabots, a collaboration with a local wildlife nonprofit to teach players about coral reef conservation. Upcoming game, based on South African TV show Spinners, aims to introduce spinning motorsport culture to a global audience.

In addition to game development, Vetkoek Studios now offers specialised training games for businesses, primarily focusing on safety training. However, funding remains a challenge for the studio. They have also committed to running the Roblox Accelerator Programme, a multi-phase development programme, which includes cash payments to six young unemployed or part-time game developers.

Their long-term goal is to empower more young people in South Africa and provide access to education and job opportunities in the gaming industry. Being selected for the Création Africa program is a significant milestone for the duo, as it provides them with the resources to transition into a revenue-generating position.