South Africa: Two Former Wits Students Taking SA Gaming Global, Starting With Taxis and Spinning
[Daily Maverick] Eric Gardiner and Mamello Raboroko are bringing a South African flair to gaming. Now they want to empower other young people to do the same.
Eric Gardiner and Mamello Raboroko, both former students at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), are taking South African gaming to new heights. After winning a competition with their taxi-themed video game prototype in 2022, the duo has since seen their creation, Taxi Ranked, become a global sensation with over 500,000 downloads.
Their innovative approach to gaming development has earned them a spot as top 15 finalists for the Création Africa incubation and immersion program in 2026, organized by the French Institute of South Africa. With the support they received from Wits Tshimologong's prize, Gardiner and Raboroko were able to establish Vetkoek Studios, their independent video game company, and release Taxi Ranked.
The game, set in the South African taxi industry, features a vibrant art style and incorporates local cultural elements such as billboards advertising popular South African snacks. The founders, with a background in visual effects, aim to create immersive gaming experiences while showcasing the unique aspects of South African culture.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
