About us:

My name is Zinyusile “Zi” Khumbula. I am from Africa! I moved to the United States in September 2009 and have been a resident of Harlem since 2014 where I have launched New York’s First Pop Up African Taqueria, Taco Africana. TA is an extension of my daily inspiration: the mission of sharing Ubuntu (humanity to others) through food and fellowship. Since our launch in 2018 we have aimed to create unique dining experiences that become a comfortable space. Allowing people from all walks of life to come together and share their backgrounds, cultures, life experiences and authentically delicious and innovative  food! These moments  became uniquely memorable and culturally driven experiences that reflect not only my expertise in the kitchen, but also the flavors, textures, colors and beauty of Africa. My dream is to continue building on the work Nelson Mandela started in South Africa and spread it all over the world.”

Although we may be tender aged, our impact in the community has been felt. In our three years (minus pandemic shutdown) we have supported phenomenal charitable causes here in our America and moreover in the motherland. In America, we have donated some of our proceeds and time  to Graham Windham, Careers Through Culinary Arts Program ( C-CAP) and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. For back home, we have donated some proceeds, time and also hosted events to help raise funds for Ubuntu Foundation and Impact Network. Now,  with your kind and generous donations we will be able to open the doors to our first location in the spring of 2022. Our goal is to serve the community beyond feeding it. We want to become a safe space and community center. Some programs we plan on implementing are a Women’s support group, a Men’s support group, family date night, a community fridge, career therapy/advice sessions, a pay it forward coffee system and much more. 

What else have we archived?

Taco Africana has been featured in Essence Magazine, TedX Talks, The Wall Street Journal, BRIC-TV, The Museum of Food & Drink, ZimExcellence Podcast, Item13 Podcast and many more.

WIII FM ( What is in it for me?):

Our ask is very simple, An easy $74k ! The location we have our eyes and hearts on is currently a café. Our goal is to purchase this business and add on to it. We will expand the menu to allow lunch and early dinner service (this is where the tacos come in!). The café is currently on the  market for $120k. We have secured $75k from our kind and generous investors. We now need your help to raise the other $75k so we can purchase the café, open it and have a little cushion because “doo doo happens!”

What is in it for you?! 

Well, this is your opportunity to stop being selfish. By simply donating or sharing our campaign for this great community cause you are already a better person in this sometimes cold world. You are opening up employment opportunities for those in need, feeding a community that is hungry for new flavors and dining opportunities and moreover you are the foundation of this promising community.

Once you have embarked, the perks here are phenomenal! For those who are able to be kind and not necessarily generous, we have limited edition stickers, pens, t-shirts and bags. For those with slightly deeper pockets and wider wallets, you get everything mentioned above , an opportunity to dine with us at our exclusive holiday pop ups, and you will be gifted the first batch of our house made spices, herbal blends and teas. 

For those who are fortunate enough to be kind AND generous, we would like to offer you a “first tasters pass”. You will have the right and opportunity to taste all of our seasonal taco specials before anyone else! In addition you will get early and premier access to our state of the art website. We would also like to take you on exclusive and all inclusive getaways. IF you have a passport, tour Zimbabwe with Zi. If not, we have a couple of domestic travel opportunities as well. 

What if we bite off more than we can chew?

In the very unfortunate and sad event that we do not find enough kind and generous people, we will still open a storefront! Rest assured, the monies will not be used to spoil our significant others. If we do not raise enough capital for a dine in restaurant, we are already looking into locations that will allow us to offer take out delivery services only! In this scenario we still have community engagements we would implement: support groups that meet at local parks, community centers and/or places of religious gathering. We will still have a pay it forward system (everyone gets to eat) and of course we will provide some employment opportunities for those in need. 

Calculated Risks and Challenges:

We are  not ashamed to admit that , (like many) we do not possess the ‘know it all’ capabilities of business and moreover the hospitality industry. Nonetheless , with help from our advisory board and mentors we have forecasted some challenges and strategized on some solutions.

 Our first challenge is competition! We are pioneering our chain of storefront in Harlem, NYC! The Black mecca of the world where there is a plethora of eateries, why should people choose us?  

Our advantages are staged at three points of our internal ecosystem. We are one of a limited few to have South African and Zimbabwean influence. Our presentation is immaculate, sustainable, eco-friendly, approachable and instagramable. If not the only, we are one of the few to officiate the marriage of African and Mexican cuisine. Many eateries  can identify their leverage over other competitors is based on the types of ingredients they use, i.e., organic, ethically sourced etc. We can say the same, however our leap over others is what we do with our ingredients. Blending not just food but cultures. The result is incomparable. We are not the first to bring two or more cultures together through food but we are innovators in our pairing.

Our other challenge is marketing and outreach. In a noisy place like NYC, how does one get seen and heard? 

We recognize that our growth is contingent on designing and executing a marketing strategy. Taco Africana will launch a new website and social media campaign. The site will not only feature our menu but include a widget to place orders for delivery and pick up. As a new business, we will not be able to offer too many promotions, however we will get creative with how we garner consumer attention. We will offer “family date night” for parents and children to enjoy an evening out without the expense of a sitter, support groups, speed dating nights and pay it forward opportunities. 

Other ways you can help:

The fingers on a hand are not equal nonetheless, that does not make either of them useless. While some of you may have the blessings of being kind AND generous. Some of us are only able to be kind. Just because the times and circumstances do not allow you to help financially, it doesn’t mean that you cannot help. 

Help also comes in the form of sharing our community crowdfunding campaign. Please tell you Aunts & Uncles, your folks, your peoples, your neighbors, your coworkers, your fans, your partners and even your side people about our initiative!  We have pop ups in the month of December. Please come buy and share our food. If you practice religion/spirituality please posotively keep us in your thoughts, wishes, manifestations and prayers.

THANK YOU FOR HOLDING OUR HAND THROUGH THIS BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY. WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE, SIYABONGA!

Peace, Ubuntu and Tacos

Zi + TA