By Michel Haoses.
Namibia’s Asante-Sana Maruwasa better known as ATMBYTES will be among eight Southern African women taking on the 2024 Mzansi Esports Champions at the rAge Expo, from 30 November to 1 December in Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to the organisers, Services for Africa Gaming and Esports, they strive to elevate talent in esports, fostering inclusivity and empowerment in the gaming industry and highlight the Tekken Africa Queens Challenge, which is an initiative supported by the French Government and the French Institute of South Africa.
Furthermore, this year’s championship features eight players, representing their countries for the US$2500 prize pool while the champion will walk away with US$1000.
The players include Setsabile Shabangu “Sugar”, Sylvia Wahome “The QueenArrow”, Liteboho Thebe “EL”, Safidy Andrianisoa “Sentaku”, Matimbe Gweyneth Edina “Gwyn Stacy”, Asante-Sana Maruwasa “ATMBYTES”, Zahraa Khan “Iron-Fist”, Bwalya Nkumbula “LiaRose” from Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia respectively.
Matches will follow double elimination format, with live streaming on Twitch and YouTube for audiences worldwide.
In addition, on 29 November, representatives of the African gaming and esports will have the opportunity of connecting with other players to exchange and share ideas, foster collaboration and create opportunities for women in gaming and developing entrepreneurship and empowerment in the industry.
“We are determined to create an environment where African esport talent can thrive and compete at the global level. Through strategic partnerships like the one established with the Institute Français, we are ensuring that Africa becomes an essential player in the global esports ecosystem,” said Désiré Koussawo, President of Services for Africa Gaming and Esports Africa.
French Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, H.E. David Martinon remarked on the growth of esports in Africa, describing it as a dynamic platform to showcase the region’s creativity and digital innovation and an opportunity to empower female players to create a more inclusive and representative future in esports.
