Busisiwe Masango-Steenkamp, is one of the few South African women in competitive gaming and the first in the country to qualify for a female-only FIFA event in Zurich, Switzerland.
Busisiwe Masango-Steenkamp, one of the few women in competitive gaming in SA, and the first one in SA to qualify for a female-only FIFA event in Zurich, Switzerland. Picture: Supplied.
JOHANNESBURG – South Africa has seen the growth and development of electronic sports (Esport) in recent years, thanks to the increasing availability of high-speed internet and advanced gaming technology.
While SA may not be at the same level of recognition as other parts of the globe on the Esport front, a growing community of dedicated talented gamers is changing the narrative.
Meet Busisiwe Masango-Steenkamp.
She is one of the few South African women in competitive gaming and the first in the country to qualify for a female-only FIFA event in Zurich, Switzerland.
“My mother isn’t surprised. Being the only female in a male’s soccer team was a sign to her that I’m not going to be an ordinary girl growing up. She is supportive as well as my older brothers and family,” Masango-Steenkamp told Eyewitness News.
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Let’s goooo!!!????????@its_Cyndi takes first place in the @SAFA_net #FameHerGame qualifier, booking her spot in the official @FIFAe bootcamp in Zurich, Switzerland????
Congratulations for this epic achievement, Busi. Well deserved!????#GGFIFA #GoliathGamingArmy pic.twitter.com/q7ld4eKgHY
‘ Goliath Gaming (@GoliathGamingZA) May 27, 2023
The FameHerGame boot camp will take place 14-16 June in a bid to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the participants.
Moreover, the event will be take place across two iconic locations: the FIFA Museum and the Home of FIFA.
“A year ago, I wouldn’t have imagined that I would be heading to Zurich for Esports. It has been a crazy experience so far, and I am ecstatic. It feels surreal,” said the gamer.
Masango-Steenkamp said she hoped to acquire new knowledge at the boot camp: “Esports in the rest of the world is on another level. I would like to take what I will learn and implement it here at home with the next Play FIFA Like a Girl event.”
According to FIFAe during the boot camp, the participants will learn from experts and compete for a chance to win an all-inclusive trip to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
FILE: Busisiwe Masango-Steenkamp, one of the few women in competitive gaming in SA, and the first one in SA to qualify for a female-only FIFA event in Zurich, Switzerland. Picture: Supplied.
“Like everything, it started as a hobby to keep myself busy after soccer practice and doing my homework, since I didn’t have a lot of friends,” said Masango-Steenkamp.
Over 20 member associations as well as the ECL, an elite European women’s league, will also be taking part in the bootcamp.
Masango-Steenkamp said the best way to develop the sport in SA was to ensure a supportive and safe space for people to learn how to play these games.
She added that schools could also educate and empower learners about the great opportunities in Esports – not just as gamers.
The 27-year-old founded a football page called Bring the Ball.
Her platform focuses on women’s football in Africa, and she’s signed with Goliath Gaming.
She said she wished there were more competitive gaming tournaments for women.
FILE: Busisiwe Masango-Steenkamp, one of the few women in competitive gaming in SA, and the first one in SA to qualify for a female-only FIFA event in Zurich, Switzerland was signed by Goliath Gaming in 2022. Picture: Supplied.
“We will see even greater growth in Esports if more women get involved. Signing for Goliath Gaming, and hosting Play FIFA like a Girl with Sam Wright and Gabbi Brondani Rego in 2023 have been the highlights of my career thus far. Play FIFA like a girl is where my journey started so seeing other females wanting to do the same brings a lot of fulfilment and joy.”
As a parting shot the avid FIFA player said that future girl gamers needed to remember that there’s nothing to fear but fear itself when they take on Esports.
“I have a saying: ‘your fear of looking stupid is holding you back’, meaning if there is something you want to do just do it and forget about what people will say, there is nothing wrong with trying to do something and failing at it, it’s how we learn and grow.”
#PlayFIFALikeAGirl
We loved it!!It was us against the game and not each other ???? was lovely seeing all the people in the industry again and absolutely amazing meeting some new faces ????
You guys are awesome ✨✨ pic.twitter.com/jko8TOVOyh
‘ demifordayzzz (@DemiBridgland) March 4, 2023
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