Zahraa Khan wins 2024 Mzansi Esports Championship, celebrating women in gaming
African women esports players celebrated a momentous victory at the Mzansi Esports Champions 2024 tournament, showcasing remarkable talent during the Tekken Africa Queens Challenge held recently at the rAge Expo in Johannesburg.
The championship not only recognised the skill of female gamers but also aimed to amplify their voices in a male-dominated industry.
This year's tournament was dominated by South Africa's “Iron-Fist” - Zahraa Khan, who clinched the coveted top spot.
Khan, an experienced competitor with seven years under her belt, shared: “I feel that this will open many more doors for me to compete internationally and solidify my status as a competitor.
“I've been competing for seven years and I have been working as hard as I can at tournaments so that I can proudly say I'm up there with the best of the best Tekken players in South Africa, especially in a male-dominated society.”
In her victory, she also conveyed a powerful message of inspiration, “I hope that I have inspired other women to play and keep playing. This was my first ever all-female tournament and I would like to see more of these in the future.”
Following closely was “QueenArrow” Sylvia Wahome from Kenya, who secured second place.
Wahome said: “These events allow for women who are new to the world of gaming and esports get a foothold into the space without the undue scrutiny that is usually placed on minorities.”
The event was organised by the Services for Africa Gaming & Esports (Sages Africa) and was supported by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS).
With a prize pool of $2 500 (R45 000) up for grabs, the championship provided a platform for eight talented players from across Africa to showcase their gaming prowess, while enriching the continent’s esports narrative.
Other gamers who made up the Top 8 included Safidy Andrianisoa from Madagascar, Matimbe Gweyneth Edina from Malawi, Setsabile Shabangu from Eswatini, Asante-Sana Maruwasa from Namibia, Bwalia Nkumbula from Zambia and Liteboho Thebe from Lesotho.
Désiré Koussawo, president of Sages Africa, said: “This was a dynamic, highly competitive and invigorating esports champions featuring some of the best women gamers on the continent.
“Mzansi Esports Champions offer gamers an opportunity to showcase their talent and skills, benchmark themselves and improve their playing. So much was learnt and gained at the Champions - and well done to the winners.”
In addition to the championship, the rAge Expo hosted professional discussions centred on the gaming sector in Africa.
A particular focus was placed on women's entrepreneurship, providing insights into the potential for women to thrive in this growing field.
Emmanuelle Denavit-Feller, regional head of New Media, Film & Music at IFAS, shared, “Our partnership with Sages Africa in this celebration of women in esports helps to foster and encourage women on the continent to engage with this ever-popular and growing international arena.”