African women in esports will shine at the 2024 Mzansi Esports Champions, hosted at the rAge Expo in Johannesburg from 30 November to 1 December 2024. This event, organised by SAGES Africa in collaboration with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is a highlight of the Tekken Africa Queens Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting inclusivity and female empowerment in gaming.

A Platform for Talent and Empowerment

The championship features eight female players from Southern African countries competing for a $2,500 prize pool, with the winner receiving $1,000. Among the participants is Sylvia Gathoni Wahome, better known as QueenArrow, a pioneer in African esports and ambassador for the Tekken Africa Queens Challenge.

The event also creates opportunities for discussing female entrepreneurship in gaming, offering business meetings on 29 November to connect African esports professionals. These discussions aim to foster collaboration and create pathways for women in the gaming industry.

Participants

The following players will represent their respective countries in this year’s tournament:

• Eswatini: Setsabile Shabangu ("Sugar")
• Kenya: Sylvia Wahome ("TheQueenArrow")
• Lesotho: Liteboho Thebe ("EL")
• Madagascar: Safidy Andrianisoa ("Sentaku")
• Malawi: Matimbe Gweyneth Edina ("Gwyn Stacy")
• Namibia: Asante-Sana Maruwasa ("ATMBYTES")
• South Africa: Zahraa Khan ("Iron-Fist")
• Zambia: Bwalia Nkumbula ("LiaRose")

The tournament will follow a double-elimination format and be live-streamed on Twitch and YouTube, providing a global audience the opportunity to witness the talent and spirit of African esports.

Building an Inclusive Future

The Mzansi Esports Champions is part of a larger effort by SAGES Africa to develop a sustainable and competitive esports ecosystem in Africa. The event fosters female representation in gaming and highlights the potential of esports as a platform for creativity and digital innovation.

Désiré Koussawo, President of SAGES Africa, emphasised the importance of these initiatives:

"We are determined to create an environment where African esports talent can thrive and compete at the global level. Through strategic partnerships like the one established with the Institut français, we are ensuring that Africa becomes an essential player in the global esports ecosystem."

French Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, David Martinon, echoed this sentiment:

"Esports has immense potential in Africa, offering a dynamic platform to showcase the region's creativity and digital innovation. As the industry continues to grow, it also presents a vital opportunity to empower female players, creating a more inclusive and representative future in esports."

Previous Events

In the lead-up to this event, The Kongo Esports Champions 2024 took place at the Manga & Geek Days Festival in Kinshasa, DRC, from 22 to 24 November 2024, featuring discussions on African female representation in gaming and another competitive tournament.

For more information about the Mzansi Esports Champions, visit Mzansi Esports Champions.

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Press Release Submitted By

Company Name: SAGES Africa
Contact Person: Désiré Koussawo
Website: SAGES Africa

Total Words: 496

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Mzansi Esports Champions 2024: Showcasing Female Esports Talent
African female gamers compete in the Mzansi Esports Champions! Join us at rAge Expo or tune in live for this exciting event celebrating talent and inclusivity in gaming. #MzansiEsports #TekkenQueens #WomenInGaming #AfricanEsports #pressrelease #AfricaNewsroom #bizcommunity #publicrelations #africa #southernafrica #southafrica