24 May Esports Around The World: South Africa
Esports Around The World is a series of profiles outlining the esports ecosystem in various countries globally. The series tied into our ESI Washington DC event, which focused on esports’ growth around the world.
The Esports Around The World series will profile major & minor esports nations across the globe.
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Introduction
As one of the most economically developed nations in Africa, South Africa is at the forefront of African esports. With the help of key organisations such as Mind Sport South Africa and the Confederation of African Esports, South Africa is one of a number of African countries helping to grow esports on the continent.
According to a report by analytics company Newzoo and gaming platform and publisher Carry1st report, South Africa is the largest market in Africa and has the highest consumer spending at $290m (~£232m). An estimated 95 percent of gamers play on mobile, the report estimated, underscoring the importance of mobile esports’ cheaper barrier to entry in supporting the region’s exponential gaming growth.
South Africa is home to some of the biggest teams in Africa, from ATK to Bravado Gaming, and in the past major organisations have looked to South Africa when acquiring new talent — most notably when Cloud 9 signed a South African duo in CS:GO in 2020.
Government Recognition
Esports has not been officially recognised as a sport in South Africa. Instead, esports is classified as a ‘mind sport’ — in the same category as disciplines such as chess — and is administered by Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA).
MSSA is a national governing body for all mind sports, including esports, and has been officially recognised by an Act of Parliament in South Africa.
Notable Tournaments & Leagues
South Africa is slowly hosting more tournaments for teams domestically and across Africa to take part in. MSSA, which is part of the International Esports Federation, runs a large range of events in South Africa, ranging from school level to National Championship level.
African Cyber Gaming League
RLCS 2021-22 Fall: Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Event 1
ESEA South Africa
RLCS 2021-22 Winter: Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Event 1
ESL African Championship
World Electronic Sports Games (WESG) South Africa
Notable Esports Organisations
Note that this is a non-exhaustive list and exclusion does not signify an org is not notable.
Bravado Gaming
White Rabbit Gaming
National Associations / Federations
Note that inclusion in this list does not suggest any acknowledgement from ESI of its authority, works or official capacity.
Africa Electronic Sport Association (AESA)
Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA)
Confederation of African Esports (CAES)
Education Initiatives
The Africa Electronic Sport Association (AESA) was set up as an independent non-profit organisation to reduce the barriers of entry of esports for young and especially underprivileged people. The AESA has designed a short educational course for parents and caregivers, which provides an overview of the risks and benefits that online gaming has for children, and what strategies there are to keep children safe when they are playing online.
On a collegiate level, University Sports South Africa (USSA), a governing body for university sport in South Africa, introduced esports as an event in September 2019.
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This is a preliminary country profile and will be augmented with additional information over time. If you have any suggestions or feedback for this profile, please get in touch at info@esportsinsider.com.
Africa, Commercial, Features, Insights, Markets, Mobile, Africa Electronic Sport Association, African Cyber Gaming League, ATK, Bravado Gaming, Confederation of African Esports, esl african championship, Esports Around The World, Goliath Gaming, Mind Sports South Africa
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