A lively debate...

The big three: Morizane Boyes (MSSA), Given Radingwana (Mega8), Cambridge Mokanyane (VS Gaming).

As Morizane Boyes (MSSA), Given Radingwana (Mega8), and Cambridge Mokanyane (VS Gaming) took to the stage, all gathered at the 3 day E-kasi Tech festival being held from 25 October - 27 October 2017 at Uncle Tom's Hall, Orlando, Soweto expected fireworks and a lively debate.

Without doubt these three individuals represent the most important role-players in the South African Esports scene. 

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), as everyone knows, is SA's national esports controlling body, whereas Mega8 and VS Gaming are the two largest and most influential esports event providers in South Africa.

Given Radingwana was the first to speak, and the audience hung upon his words. Next, Morizane Boyes gave her opening address, and was followed by Cambridge Mokanyane with his openening address.

What immediately became clear was that all three were on the same page.

The two event organisers openly admitted that what MSSA was doing was correct in terms of development, and Cambridge Mokanyane stated that development could only succeed if done at grass-root level.

Cambridge then went on to state that VS Gaming wants to work with all role-players in the esports industry to which both Morizane and Given concurred.

The debate continued, and although it was the most lively debate of the day, it  was clear that all three saw the development of esports in South Africa in the same light.

By the time the three left the stage, it was clear that there was a camaraderie between the three.

Big things are now expected.

For more on the dynamic E-kasi Tech festival please go to: https://www.e-kasifest.co.za/

1st Soweto LAN Experience - 29th and 30th September 2017

Ekasi Esports is at the core of community development and ensuring that scarce skills are catered for when it comes to Esports in the rural and township areas.

To achieve gaming skills that meets international level, esports gamers needs to be exposed to high speed internet connectivity to allow online participation, they require computers that are spec'd and an ecosystem that promotes skills transfer through gaming practises.

The team is currently having unspec'd computers, a line that has 10mb which is too slow for online participation and the team trains once a week.

The team has a female CS:GO team and a professional male team with such constraints Ekasi Esports is in talks with sponsors and partners to improve their conditions and be able to build more teams that will have a training platform and facilities.

The team in preparing itself to host regional championships for township teams and schools has embarked on a journey to invite all the esports enthusiasts and gamers to be part of a gaming experience.

The team manager, Mpho Tladi, emphasizes that the 1st Soweto LAN Experience is a capability test to ensure that the club will be able to host a critical event like regional championships. In order to run a Regional Championships a club needs to check the logistics behind such a prestige event, thus will assist organisers to be in a better position to host and comply with all MSSA's rules and regulations.

Ekasi Esports is sending out an open invitation to sponsors, donors to come on board and part take on the event.

The 1st Soweto LAN Experience will be hosted on the 29th - 30th September 2017, at Dube Boxing Club and Community Centre, Corner 856 Sandile Street

Mpho Tladi can be contacted on:  info@i-village.co.za

Ekasi Esports takes another leap forward.

From left to right: Nomagugu Ngema, Nonhlanhla Mndebele, Tsholofelo Makhobozi, Sanele Vilakazi, and Sanele Mabele.

When Gabriel Ramokotjo, Mpho Tladi, and Smilo Katlegob Gosa founded Ekasi Esports their true colours shone through. Right from the beginning, the three were not afraid of taking chances.

The three founded the first official esports club in SOWETO, affiliated to the MSSA, and were the first to create the first all Sowetan CounterStrike: GO team.

Yet their ambition, competitiveness, and passion does not end there. The three founders of Ekasi Esports are determined to make SOWETO the centre of South African gaming.

Through great dedication the three founders, aided by Tsholofelo Makhobozi, have put hours of work into creating SOWETO's first female CounterStrike: GO team.
The ever affable Tsholofelo Makhobozi, upon breaking the news of her team stated, "This is when the work begins".

For Tsholofelo Makhobozi, the team is not there to 'just take part', as Tsholofelo believes that the team has the spirit and character of champions.
Tsholofelo is determined to develop the team to a standard that they can represent South Africa.

However, Tsholofelo realises that there is still a way to go, but as Tsholofelo says, "It may be  hard, but we'll  get there!".

Ekasi Esports has a CounterStrike: GO team.

From left to right: Sibonelo Vilakazi, Michael Mbatha, Buhle Dludla, Jabulani Mthombeni and Rungulani Vilakazi. 

Team Manager: Smilo "Slim" Gosa.

Ekasi Esports is the first official esports club in Soweto, and being determined to make their mark on gaming in South Africa, the club has forged forward to create Soweto's first CounterStrike: GO team.

Under the watchful eye of team manager Smilo Gosa, the team is expected to do great things as Sibonelo Vilakazi, Michael Mbatha, Buhle Dludla, Jabulani Mthombeni and Rungulani Vilakazi take on all comers.

In fact, Smilo has made it quite clear to a number of MSSA officials, that under his guidance, he will train up his team to the level of entering the Protea Team and represent South Africa in official  championships.

The gauntlet has been thrown down, now all that remains is to see SOWETO's best astound all.

I-Village Schools Digital Skills Workshop.

I-Village will be hosting a digital skills workshop, at Emadwaneli Secondary School, on the 26th of July 2017.

The objective of the workshop is raise awareness on the digital career opportunities , understanding that more jobs today requires a level of adequate understanding of digital skills and further to ensure that our youth participate in the digital economy. The workshop will be conducted in collaboration with Emadwaneli Secondary School, The National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (Nemisa), Mind Sport South Africa (MSSA) and Acer South Africa..

At I-Village we are committed to bring about digital opportunities to the youth, most importantly in the townships and rural areas and with the key objective that our youth not only become consumers, but active participants to the 4th Industrial Revolution, says. Mr Mpho Tladi - Business Development Manager at I-Village.

The workshop will be showcasing digital career opportunities in Creative New Media Industries, Build Your Own Cloud (BYOC): Robotics, Coding and Electronic Sports (Esports).

About Us:

Innovation Village herein known as “I-Village” is a non-profit organisation that provides digital skills
training to the students, entrepreneurs and unemployed youth in townships and rural areas. The IVillage is based in Soweto, Dube, Kronen Centre.

Ekasi Esports Club Exhbiting at Internt4All Initiative National Awareness Launch:

Gabriel Ramokotjo explaining esports to an eager crowd.

The Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) affiliated Ekasi Esports team participated on their first public awareness initiative. Ekasi Esports is the first accredited esports  club in Soweto.The club was invited by the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS), to exhbit at the Internet 4All initiave National awareness Launch, which was held in Uncle Tom Hall, Soweto , 19 June 2017.

The club exhibition stand was visited by the Deputy Minister of DTPS, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and the number of school students from Soweto , who were all excited by the club.

The Internet4All initiative is a World Economic Forum and the South African Government to connect 22 Million South Africans by the year 2020.

Showing its commitment to creating an inclusive gaming industry, by taking esports into township schools and into rural areas. The club will also be hosting an introductory workshop on esport, to students at Emadalweni High School, Orlando East, Soweto on the 26 July 2017.

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Soweto's first esports club is accepted into membership: Ekasi Esports.

Ekasi Esports

The latest club to apply, and be accepted by Mind Sports South Africa into membership, is Ekasi Esports.

Ekasi Esports is the first accredited esports  club in Soweto.

The founders, and current club committee members, Gabriel Ramokotjo, Mpho Tladi, and Smilo Katlegob Gosa have big plans for the club.

The three are determined to see esports to become a viable alternative to other sports in Soweto, and are driven to bring the technological advantages associated with esports into Soweto in order to benefit the lives of all.

The club too intends  to become a hub in order to allow schools in Soweto to have access to MSSA's online championships.

Allied to the above ideals, the club too sees itself at the forefront of transformation, and is determined to ensure that esports becomes truly representative.

These are big ambitions for truly wonderful people.

MSSA will be there with them as the club turns its dreams into reality.

The enthusiastic committee of Ekasi Esports.