The emergence and growth of eSports in South Africa
Lefupana Mahlomola Martin The emergence of new technologies and internet has been the backbone for growth in popularity Electronic Sports (eSports) in recent years. eSports is competitive video gaming, high-level games and spectating of web based games in a competitive environment. The increased interest in eSports has now created a thriving industry with competitive professional players, leagues, tournaments, organisations and community that follows the games. The overall global eSports market is estimated to be USD 1 billion in 2019 and it expected to grow by almost 20 % in the next five years. The emergence and growth of eSports is changing the manner in which people consume sports and it is expected to transform the sporting industry. While the market value of eSports in relatively unknown in South Africa, experts suggest that the market revenue is in excess of over R150 million in 2019. These purported figures are indicative of the market that is growing and brimming