The Saucy Truth About SA’s eSports Victory

In a jaw-dropping turn of events, South Africa’s female Counter-Strike 2 eSports team has emerged victorious at the African eSports Championship 2024 (AEC24) in Morocco, leaving Tunisia in the dust. But don’t expect the celebrations to be as loud and long-lasting as the controversy surrounding SA’s eSports scene.

According to the International eSports Federation (IESF), this milestone marks Africa’s first offline eSports championship, showcasing the region’s eSports growth, talent, and passion. But what’s the real story behind SA’s eSports triumph?

With a whopping $100 000 (R1.7 million) prize money on the line, SA’s Protea female Counter-Strike 2 eSports team, backed by Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), came out on top, beating Tunisia 2-0. But don’t believe the hype – it’s not all rainbows and unicorns in the SA eSports scene.

The truth is that South Africa’s eSports community is plagued by fragmentation, with many operators going it alone, stifling growth. Despite the industry’s rapid growth worldwide, with a projected market volume of $5.7 billion by 2028, finding sustainable and diverse revenue streams remains a major challenge.

But hey, who doesn’t love a good underdog story? SA’s victory is certainly a testament to the team’s hard work, training, and dedication. Colin Webster, president of MSSA, attributes the win to the team’s ability to work together like a well-oiled machine, with all members hailing from the same club – ATK.

Of course, there’s more to eSports than just winning. As the education sector slowly warms up to the idea of incorporating eSports into their curricula, SA’s schools are finally waking up to the potential benefits of this rapidly growing industry. Curro, anyone?

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s still a long way to go in terms of promoting eSports in SA, and MSSA president Colin Webster knows it. “Esports is the gateway into the digital world,” he says. “While eSports is popular in SA, the socio-economic problems do impede the growth, as few can afford the various platforms to play at a high level.”

So, what’s next for SA’s eSports scene? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – this victory is just the beginning. Bring on the drama, the controversy, and the underdog stories – the SA eSports scene is about to get a whole lot more interesting.