SIFISO Nkosi is considered a township gaming god.

The 10-year-old from Soweto said not even hunger deters him from his obsession with gaming.

His love for Xbox, a game console developed by Microsoft, grew when his neighbour Buhle Mazibuko, 27, transformed his backyard room into a gaming business.

Now children forget their meals to huddle around large plasma television screens.

They are hypnotised by the digital sophistication of games like Grand Theft Auto Five, Fifa 14 and Tekken6.

Mazibuko charges only R2 for a session, a luxury most parents in the neighbourhood cannot afford.

Consoles usually cost just over R3000 and the games themselves cost about R800 each.

In the room youngsters yell instructions at Nkosi while he fiddles with the joystick.

All of this looks like a scene out of a seedy beer hall, only here the punters are seven to 10-year-olds.

It takes a lot of persuasion to get Nkosi's attention and a few words out of him.

"My grandmother always asks me why I come home late, but I have to make her understand that I must play. I love Xbox, especially the soccer games," he said.

Mazibuko said the idea was not just about coming up with a unique business, but also to provide entertainment for young children.

"We don't have enough activities for kids here.

"There is a park on the other side, but it's nothing but a patch of grass. So the kids are much safer here where they are not exposed to drugs and other dangers."

A bag filled with empty snack packets is evidence that, during the hours spent playing the game, the children depend on crisps and sweets for sustenance.

Nkosi's grandmother Nonkululeko Xoseka is convinced her grandson is addicted.

"He has an 8pm curfew, but it is difficult to keep him away from that thing. He eats in the morning and won't come home until he feels really hungry.

"We have even threatened to lock the gates if he's not home on time," said Xoseka.

Mazibuko opens shop at 9am during school holidays and weekends and at 1.30pm on week days.

"It gets full here, especially now that schools have closed. Sometimes parents come here to drag their kids away."

When he has errands to run, Mazibuko leaves the business in the capable hands of his 10-year-old brother Mzwandile.

The Grade 4 pupil said he has to keep watch so that game players do not exceed their time limit.

"I can see why my friends love this game, it feels like real life. You can create characters and play in tournaments."

mahopoz@sowetan.co.za

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