History was made by Mzansi’s own Jess Greeff when she captained the Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) Proteas Counter-Strike team to glory at the African Championships in Morocco earlier this year, one of the reasons she was selected as one of the ten distinguished Annual List of Newsmakers (#GAL2024) announced in Johannesburg earlier this week.
Greeff and her all-women team also had a promising showing at the IESF International esports Federation) World Championships in Riyadh, where Greeff became the most-capped female in MSSA across all disciplines since 1984.
Esports is a code that has been steadily growing in South Africa, and 2024 has been an instrumental year for the women of the industry, and one results is increased women’s takeup of the sport, but like many of the smaller sports, it has been one that is in serious need of sponsorship and financial backing
Greeff says that despite what she and her team have achieved in the past year, they are still struggling to get the necessary sponsorship for their various Esports needs.
“This year particularly has been tough when it comes to funding. Unfortunately in South Africa, esports is overlooked. Even after winning the African Esports Championship in Morocco and going to Saudi Arabia, we have not been able to acquire a sponsor to help cover costs such as league fees, a coach, or flights. We are still looking for sponsors/an organisation to support us.”
Mind Sports South Africa Proteas Counter-Strike Team Captain, Jess Greeff
The is appealing to prospective sponsors to throw support their way as there is a great benefit to backing her esports.
“I urge sponsors to invest in South African esports due to the sheer talent. esports is renowned worldwide bringing in millions of views a month, so why not bring those views to South Africa? Let us give our players a platform to build and grow, to compete on the international stage more and represent South Africa more.”
#GAL2024 was the first gsport event that Greeff has attended, and she says to be recognised in such a way is something that makes her very proud.
“I’m so glad that gsport shed light on esports. Many women have stopped or given up due to the lack of opportunities,” said Greeff. “This will motivate current women in esports as well as women looking into the sport to continue the path they are on, as it is not a dead end. gsport is helping to pave the way for the future of women’s esports in South Africa.”
Someone who knows all about what it means to back women’s sports on and off the field is Telkom’s Head of Sponsorships, Braam Wessels, and says that they have seen the immense growth and has given this advice to sponsors who are looking to play their part.
“Telkom has been involved with esports for more than 15 years and has seen a huge uptake by female participants. Smaller codes are battling with awareness and exposure. Brands need to be responsible and have an integrated approach whereby their strategy is to make provision for the smaller codes for development and growth. At the end of the day, it’s about if the code can give you access to your target market, and how you utilise that for brand sentiment.
Wessels says Telkom is committed to ensure all women are able to excel in their respective sporting codes.
“Telkom has been involved with sports sponsorships, and took a decision a few years ago to support women’s sport,” say Wessels. “We believe not to leave anyone behind and want to make opportunities possible through our involvement with the sport, where women in sport on all levels can reach their full potential.”
Telkom has been a great ally to gsport over the years and Wessels shared what an honour it is to be part of #GAL2024, and to see that esports is getting its deserved recognition.
“The Annual List of Newsmakers event gives us a great opportunity to structure our involvement and to be part of a great initiative to award respective candidates. Today we are overwhelmed that the Esport community received the accolades.
Telkom’s Head of Sponsorships, Braam Wessels
gsport Founder Kass Naidoo reiterated that the union with Telkom has allowed them to give esports the necessary recognition over the last few years.
“As part of the partnership with Telkom, gsport has put the spotlight on women in esports. This resulted in the shortlisted of esports commentator, Samantha Wright. The newsroom has also cast its net wide and profiled women in esports from other African countries.”
“The partnership with Telkom means that the gsport Newsroom is in a position to pay particular attention to raising the profile of women in esports.”
gsport Founder Kass Naidoo
“Samantha Wright has used the #PowerOfRecognition and the gsport awards platform to educate and inform other women in esports how to advance in the industry.”
“After being involved in the gsport Awards and not only me but seeing gsport cover esports a lot more on the platform, I felt like it gave me credibility which is weird because obviously in my mind I do all these but I think local recognition goes a long way,” said Esports Shoutcaster and Counter-Strike host, Samantha Wright in a previous interview with gsport.
Main Photo Caption: Jess Greeff lead her all-women Protea Counter Strike Team to an African Esports Championship victory and became the most capped female in Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) across all disciplines since 1984, further emphasising the rise of women in Esports. Recipient Jess (left) is pictured with Shado Mkhize CM(SA) Telkom Senior Manager – Brand & Comms at the gsport Annual List of Newsmakers #GAL2024 in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, on Monday, 2 December, 2024. Photo: Rebecca Hearfield / gsport
Photo 2 Caption: Esports has been steadily growing in South Africa, features many opportunities for sponsorship partnerships and financial backing.
Photo 3 Caption: As a result of 2024 having been a sensational year for the South African team of women in esports, and girls are increasingly taking the sport up.
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