IT whizkid with an entrepreneurial streak
WHILE many of his peers lament the lack of formal job opportunities, 26-year-old Tapiwanashe Kufarimani of Southlea Park, Harare, is breaking the mould — big time.
He is already an established employer that proudly helms three successful businesses.
Instead of hunting for a desk job after completing his Information Technology (IT) degree at the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) in 2021, Tapiwanashe ventured into business.
He is now the founder and managing director of Autosoft Investments, a three-year-old technovation company specialising in software development. The company offers a diverse range of services, from digital marketing, website development, applications to the Internet of Things (IoT) systems development. The enterprise even dabbles in animation. Autosoft also supplies point-of-sale (POS) machines in Harare, a venture that has proven highly lucrative. In addition, the young businessman runs a vibrant events management company. He has also ventured into horticulture.
“This is more like a calling for me,” he told The Sunday Mail.
“I started doing these innovations during my second year at the university, helping students in their final year to do their projects.
“My expertise was far-reaching to the extent that I could not manage the volumes of my clients, who would be students from other tertiary institutions.”
It was during his industrial attachment that he thought of starting his own company.
This led to the birth of Autosoft Investments in 2020.
Tapiwanashe is the product of a tough upbringing.
Along with his 20-year-old younger sister Vimbanashe — a University of Zimbabwe law student — they were raised by a single mother.
Their mother’s courage and fighting spirit helped mould them into big dreamers.
In 2018, their mother began hiring out her few kitchen wares and chairs for a fee to a newly formed church close to their home.
As the church membership grew, so did the number of chairs required every weekend.
That is when she decided to establish an events management company for her children.
Proceeds from the church were invested into buying more chairs.
Presently, the company, named “I Do Events”, gets bookings every weekend.
Tapiwanashe and Vimbanashe are now experts in hosting weddings, parties, church events and even funerals.
As the events company grew, he acquired land in Southlea Park, where they are now into horticulture under “I Do Farming”.
They specialise in producing mushrooms, which are supplied to big restaurants around Harare.
“Plans are now underway to convert this place into an events garden, where we will be offering a full package, from venue, tents, chairs and catering,” he said.
His companies employ seven full-time workers as well as dozens of seasonal employees.
Tapiwanashe recently participated at the Summer Business Expo for micro, small and medium enterprises in Harare.
Speaking after touring his stand, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Small to Medium Enterprises deputy director (business skills development) Mr Mamvura Mabika said: “Youths like these ones are the real deal for our economy to succeed.
“We need more like him and we will see the country flourish.”