The emergence and growth of eSports in South Africa

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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 with opportunities for growth.


The eSports has seen demand in broadcast rights, tickets, merchandise, direct advertisement, sponsorship and publishing fees in the last few years and has multiplied the revenue streams. The eSports games have become a growing phenomenon in South African sports industry and has attracted the attention of different age groups, particularly the millennials and Generations Z. With the growing web based community, online gaming platform like Twitch and VS Gaming, which are easy to use and access have attracted hundreds of thousands of unique daily users on computer and on mobile. Twitch is increasing viewership for eSports community in South Africa and the rest of the continent.  

eSports has seen the rise in support from enthusiastic followers, which follows leagues, competitions and also seen the rise of cult followership of esports celebrities like Dominic “Domsterr” Sampaio, Aran Groesbeek, Ruan van Wyk, Johny Theodosiou and others. South Africa is already acknowledge as Africa’s hub and center in the rise of eSports. The country hosted one of the biggest eSports competition in the world the FIFA gaming tournament 2018, the winner of the eWorld Cup walked away with R2.3 million first prize.

Professional football clubs such as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League have eSports teams with professional gamers. Orlando Pirates have professional eSports team with professionals like Abubakar Akhulwaya, Shuaib Hassen, Tebogo Mothopa and Mohamed Alioune Diop, while rival Kaizer Chiefs are also active in the eSports industry. The involvement of these clubs, their celebrity players, companies and sports agencies can only bored well for the growth of eSports in South Africa. Clubs that are already in traditional sports have advantage because they will bring their established fans and follows. As respected brands, they can leverage on the support and accelerate the advancement of eSports.


The involvement of big brands such as Vodacom, Supersport, FIFA, Gillette, MWEB, Betways, Visa, Vodafone, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Red Bull, football clubs and companies will give credence, awareness and acceptability of eSports as legitimate part of the sports and entertainment industry. The investment through sponsorship of competition and player endorsement will provide platform for the growth of eSports for the country.

eSports in South Africa and the rest of Africa still phases issues in formulation of leagues, regulations, possible new games entrance into the market, uptake on rights sales telecommunications especially high data cost, convergence with traditional media, match fixing, misogyny, sexist and harassment particularly to female players. The meteoric rise of eSports is likely to create new companies and create needed jobs. With eSports projected to grow in the next decade, there is need for South African companies and government to invest in these areas to leverage the opportunities. With support and investment, South Africa can be true leader in the African continent in eSports.

Photo: credit

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