Layla Arrison has been catapulted into sports broadcasting as she has graced the SuperSport screens becoming its first female English rugby commentator. Arrison is someone who knows a thing or two about being a pioneer in the industry she finds herself in. All Photos: Supplied

There’s no denying that the esports scene is seeing immense growth in South Africa and it is wonderful and encouraging to see more females enter the space and cement their place as game changers in the sport. 

Julia ‘Bish’ Robson is one of the trailblazers in the country and also enjoys popularity in the international esports space. She founded DNMK Esports, a South African MGO focused on growing the local esports industry by partnering with reputable brands and onboarding talented gamers and influencers to create content that is relevant to the gaming community. 

Robson’s rise as one of the female faces in the sport is evident in the number of sponsorship deals and partnerships she’s be enable to attract. From Acer Africa to also being selected as a presenter of the Telkom VS Gaming show on SABC 1. She’s a former dentistry student, and now a TV personality, Robson is setting the scene ablaze. 

“As a full-time gamer and brand ambassador for Acer Africa, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing the thrill of competitive gaming firsthand. My journey began in the COD4 Promod era, where I fell in love with the camaraderie and competition of BYOC LAN events.”

Full-Time Gamer and Telkom VS Gaming Season 4, Julia ‘Bish’ Robson

Note: For those who may wonder, BYOC stands for ‘Bring-Your-Own-Computer/Console’, and LAN is ‘Local Area Network’.

“From humble garage LANs to attending ‘Dreamhack’ in Sweden, I’ve accumulated a treasure trove of gaming memories that continue to fuel my passion for the industry.”

She elaborates on how the partnership came about: “In 2019, Acer Africa approached me with an incredible opportunity to become their brand ambassador. 

“At the time, I had already established myself in the gaming scene through content creation, competing, and live streaming. I believe my passion for esports resonated with them, and since then, we’ve collaborated to promote growth in the local gaming community and further esports in the education sector.”

It didn’t stop there for her as she now can be watched on a national platform as big as SABC 1. Telkom VS Gaming Weekly focuses heavily on the South African gaming community. The show covers a broad range of topics, from gaming news, reviews, and esports tournaments to gaming culture and industry trends.

“The team behind Telkom VS Gaming reached out to me with an opportunity that doesn’t come around often. As a social media content creator, breaking into traditional media can be challenging, but I’m grateful to have this platform to share my passion for gaming with a wider audience.”

“As a presenter on the VS Gaming Weekly show, I have the privilege of dropping in on episodes and sharing my insights on the local gaming scene. It’s an exciting opportunity to connect with fellow gamers and enthusiasts, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.”

While esports is becoming more visible and attracting many, it is still intimidating for women. Gaming, even while growing up has always been painted as a “boys thing”, however the likes of Robson are disputing those misconceptions. 

“In my experience, exposure to highly skilled opponents and opportunities to learn from top players are crucial for women to develop their gaming skills. The local gaming community is generally welcoming, and I’ve seen many talented female gamers thrive in this environment. We just need more passionate women to join the scene and showcase their talents.”

She also highlights that all-female leagues are seeing immense exposure and coverage. 

“The success of all-female leagues provides opportunities for women to bridge the skill gap created by the traditionally male-dominated esports scene.”

“We’ve seen talented female gamers showcased on international stages, and I believe that more leagues, exposure, and opportunities will continue to foster growth and development in this area,” says Robson. 

“To encourage more women to get involved in gaming, I’d say simply invite them to join your lobby! Many women are already interested in gaming, and exposure to new titles or genres can spark their passion. It’s essential to create a welcoming environment that encourages women to participate and showcase their skills.”

According to Robson, while the rise of esports in South Africa is optimistic, there’s always room for improvement particularly in terms of sponsorship.

“The gaming industry in South Africa still faces some hurdles when it comes to attracting and securing consistent sponsorship deals. These challenges include the perception of gaming as a niche interest, limited awareness among brands about the potential of esports, and the relatively small scale of local tournaments compared to international competitions.”

“However, I don’t necessarily think that female gamers face these challenges in a significantly different way compared to their male counterparts. While the esports space has historically been male-dominated, the landscape is evolving. More and more women are breaking barriers, excelling in competitive gaming, and carving out spaces for themselves in the industry. The key challenge is not necessarily about gender, but more about access—access to visibility, resources, and the networks that drive sponsorship opportunities.”

She hopes that a show like VS Gaming, which exposes the diversity of esports, can showcase the sport to a wider platform. SABC 1 reaches millions of South Africans and that reach will be positive for the visibility of esports. 

“The gaming world has so much untapped potential, and I truly believe we have yet to see a dominant female gamer rise to the top ranks in the way we’ve seen from male players. But that’s about to change! With platforms like VS Gaming showcasing such an incredibly talented and diverse cast, we’re paving the way for more women to step into the spotlight and show the world what we’re capable of.

“By making esports more accessible to all gamers—regardless of gender, background, or experience level—we’re not only levelling the playing field, but we’re also fostering a more inclusive and supportive community.” 

Her dream for the esports scene in South Africa: “I’d love to host bigger BYOC LAN events to bring local gamers together, create a stronger community, and showcase South African talent on the global stage. The goal is to elevate local players and provide them with more opportunities and exposure.”

For her personal career, Robson is passionate about promoting and seeing further growth of the sport: “Personally, I want to keep my passion for gaming alive by sharing experiences with friends and family. Through organising events and supporting local talent, I hope to stay connected to the gaming community and make a lasting impact in the esports world.”

Catch the Telkom VS Gaming Weekly show every Friday at 14:00 on SABC 1 and streaming on SABC+. 


Main Photo Caption: Full-time gamer and band ambassador Julia ‘Bish’ Robson is one of the presenters of Telkom VS Gaming Season 4 on SABC 1, and her trailblazing path has set her apart as she makes a lasting impact in the blossoming esports scene. All Photos: Supplied

Photo 2 Caption: Prior to becoming a television personality, Robson established myself in the gaming scene through content creation, competing, and live streaming.

Photo 3 Caption: Robson is confident of SA gaming talent: “I truly believe we have yet to see a dominant female gamer rise to the top ranks.”

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