South Africa is such a vast and vibrant country to visit that it’s always difficult to settle on an itinerary for a trip. There are the famous cities of Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Soweto, as well as the countless safari and wildlife experiences to enrich your visit. There’s so much to do that going on a road trip is the best way to explore as much as you possibly can of ZA.
However, amidst all of the tremendous sights to see and unique experiences to enjoy, visitors can get swept up in the tourist side of South Africa. Some of the best aspects of the South African experience aren’t marked on a map or listed in the top ten sights to see, but are instead enjoyed while being among the people. This is how you can discover the exciting love of gaming that the country holds, in all its forms.
The annual Indigenous Games
Starting with the most traditional games to take place in South Africa, every year the Indigenous Games Festival takes place to encourage an active nation while also passing on the heritage of some of the oldest forms of games. As a part of Heritage Month, which celebrated 25 years of freedom and democracy last year, the games are a part of a much wider-spanning set arrangement of activities that are intended to elevate traditional activities.
That said, the games are still among the most popular aspects of the festival, with 1820 athletes taking part in September 2019 across nine different games, including Kgati, Kho-Kho, Drie Stokkies, Diketo, and Jukskei. To get a taste of some of the most storied games in the history of the country, seeing if you can make it to the annual Indigenous Games is a must.
Mobile phones have become the main way to play
The mobile phone industry has exploded across Africa, with the now-affordable devices coupled with suitable data plans giving everyone access to the mobile internet. As has been seen in all other mobile-savvy nations, people quickly discover that there are plenty of games to be played via mobiles.
In South Africa, mobile gaming is as big as it is anywhere else in the world, with globally-loved app games like Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, and Call of Duty: Mobile sitting atop the download charts. Many mobile users also utilise their devices to play more traditional games too, with the highest-rated online casinos in the country owing much of their audience to their mobile presence and the ability to claim their bonuses through mobiles.
Video gaming is now a part of modern life
From traditional games being played at festivals to classic games being played via the internet, gaming is booming across South Africa, but the fastest-growing sector, by far, is that of video gaming. You can find video gaming cafes across the country, particularly in the major cities, with people piling in to play smash-hit console games.
The gaming industry is already worth over R3 billion in South Africa and is expected to grow to R6.2 billion over the next two years. While casual gaming and playing for fun is very popular, the eSports scene and competitive gaming competitions have really taken off in the country. There are tournaments held across South Africa every year, spanning games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, DOTA 2, Call of Duty and Rocket League, with people embracing both the hands-on gaming side and the spectator side of gaming.
Seeing all that there is to see in South Africa is a worthy pursuit, but if you want to get a taste of the current entertainment trend of the nation, you’ll have to explore South African gaming in all its forms.
