adminThat is how Walter Wanyanya was brought up.
Seeing his mother going through the everyday struggles in life, the 33-year-old learnt his lesson that sharing was caring and since that time, Walter has made a name for himself for being a selfless entrepreneur who believes in giving back to the community.
“I come from humble beginnings. I never went to top schools and let alone dreamt of doing things on my own. My mother was a maid and she raised four children two boys and two girls all by herself. That alone taught me that sometimes in life it’s not having the best but making the best out of what you have,” Walter said.
“When you get an opportunity, you should use it to full capacity and the best of your ability.”
Walter runs Tech Tools, an indigenous technology company located at Avondale Shops which deals in Apple products that include your iPads, probooks, iPods, iPhones and other accessories.
He started the company some five years ago after having worked for another Apple dealer for the past 13 years.
“Technology is my passion and at Tech Tools we work as a team. Everybody is equally important and we always assist each other. I joined Apple when I was 20 years old maintaining and fixing all the Apple products. But as you might be aware Apple deals with a lot of creative stuff like music, photography as well as art.
“That is why we’ve a bit of interest in entertainment and music promotions,” he said.
So far, Walter has been instrumental in assisting up and coming artistes in the likes of Tariro “Wildfire” Ruzvidzo and Prayersoul who went on a trip to Germany to develop their music careers.
“The thing about me is that I love music so much. Firstly, I am a bassist and I used to play music at my church – Celebration Church – for 15 years. So I was impressed by the talents of Wilfire and Pryaersoul and with blessing from my workmates we decided to give the two young artistes the platform to develop their music further.
“We are not saying imitate R. Kelly or Johnny Legend is good but that they should develop that same skill as the international performers so that when they perform alongsidethese professional they are not intimidated or feel inferior.
“If you want to be a world class performer you have to learn from the best and this is our aim,” he said.
But outside promoting music, Walter through Tech Tools was one of the first companies to partner Star FM in their effort to become a station of choice.
“When Star FM launched we were impressed by the vibrancy and vision behind the station. So together with Star FM management we sat down and noted that radio station should be more flexible and offer value to its listeners. So our strategy was to give back to the listeners something that they will remember for years so that they associate themselves with Star FM,” he said.
With Tech Tools ready to give back to the listeners, Star FM later approached other partners and then came FBC Bank through their master card and South African Airways.
So far Tech Tools in conjunction with Star FM and FBC Bank have done three promotions where listeners won return air tickets, spending money and accommodation for lucky listeners.
“We sent people to attend Chris Brown show, then came the John Legend gig both held in South Africa. Regrettably, the R. Kelly show flopped so we couldn’t send the winners, however we organised a trip to Johannesburg for the two winners.
“As you can see it was about music since we started the promotions but now we are going to move to sport for instance if there is a good cricket match, rugby match or even football match in South Africa we should be able to send listeners who love whatever sport to attend. That is the direction we want to take. The world over, radio station have diversified and for us that’s how best we can carter for all the listeners. Credit should go to Star FM staff for believing in us,” Walter said.
According to Walter, there was strength in unity.
“What I would like to emphasise is that we need to work together as Zimbabweans and move forward. I am happy that when I started the company I did not get a loan from a bank or from someone. I started it from scratch, of course the Government comes in later but we should be able to stand on our own and work for ourselves. Above all we should respect each other,” he said.
“Quite honestly it was unheard of that a Zimbabwean would be given an operating licence from Apple brand even now there are not many Zimbabweans who have that license. One good thing about me was that I didn’t wake up doing what I am doing but it was gradual.
“I had worked with Apple products for a long time and that is something I know best,” he said.
As a youthful businessman, Walter says Zimbabwe had opened up opportunities for other young people to excel in whatever areas of business they want for as long as “they think outside the box”.
Online Reporter