Latest news with #CanalWalk
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
Accessible gaming experience aims to bring players of all levels into the spotlight
Palesa Manaleng 5 June 2025 | 14:03 Gamers enjoying themselves at the 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience pop-up at Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg. Picture: Chase Kaplan Photography. JOHANNESBURG – South Africa's biggest gaming tournament is breaking down barriers in the eSports scene, offering gamers of all levels a chance to compete. The 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience aims to democratise gaming, making eSports more accessible while growing a diverse, connected gaming community across the country through their new initiative. Gamers enjoying themselves at the 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience pop-up at Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg. Picture: Chase Kaplan Photography. 'So what we're doing in the space is we're trying to democratize gaming and eSports. So we deploy all of the kit, we deploy all of the equipment. We sit and run all of these national tournaments, and it costs you absolutely nothing. There's no pay to play, there are no qualifications that you need. You don't need any hardware. You don't even need connectivity. All you need to do is rock up where we are, and there's an opportunity for you to get exposed to this type of culture, play, socialise, engage, and maybe walk away with a 50,000 Rand gaming PC. So it's fun,' said Senior Specialist for gaming at MTN gaming and eSports, Brad Kirby. Over five months, eight Hyprop shopping centres such as Rosebank Mall, The Glen, Canal Walk and Somerset Mall will play host to a mix of online qualifiers and live in-mall events. Gamers enjoying themselves at the 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience pop-up at Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg. Picture: Chase Kaplan Photography. The pop-up offers everything from football simulations to VR rhythm battles. A new player can play the same game as an experienced player, with all ages playing alongside each other. 'This events idea was always, how can we bridge the that sort of divide between the casual person you know, generally interested in gaming, who maybe wants to compete and win something, and then the serious players, who are genuinely very good players and deserve the opportunity to be showcased in front of, you know, audiences and hopefully the media' said African Cyber Gaming League founder Clinton O'Shea. This year, the initiative sees the return of the EAFC 25™ National Football Tournament and the debut of the MTN Beat Saber Challenge, allowing gamers to chase two national titles. The top contenders will face off in the National Finals at Canal Walk from 17 to 21 September, with R50,000 on the line in the EAFC 25™ Football Final and more prizes up for grabs in the Beat Saber showdown. Gamers enjoying themselves at the 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience pop-up at Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg. Picture: Chase Kaplan Photography. Tournament Dates and Venues: Rosebank Mall Online Qualifier: 7 June | In-Centre Event: 13–16 June The Glen Online Qualifier: 22 June | In-Centre Event: 27–29 June Table Bay Mall Online Qualifier: 13 July | In-Centre Event: 18–20 July Clearwater Mall Online Qualifier: 3 August | In-Centre Event: 8–10 August Capegate Mall Online Qualifier: 31 August | In-Centre Event: 5–7 September Canal Walk (National Finals & Last Qualifier) Online Qualifier: 7 September | In-Centre Event: 17–21 September
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Transnet employee wins national Jive Funny Championships in Cape Town
Mbali Gudazi with her 2025 JiVE Funny Championships trophy, alongside the competition's judges, from left, Yaaseen Barnes and Jason Goliath and MC Dalin Oliver. Image: Supplied From cracking jokes at work to now winning a national comedy competition, Mbali Gudazi is making strides in the industry. Gudazi, 38, formerly from Adams Mission, won the national Jive Funny Championships in Cape Town last week. Gudazi, who works for Transnet, managing rolling wagon stock in the Eastern Cape, clinched the title at the Canal Walk Auditorium on May 14, where she delivered a quick-witted, three-minute set that left the audience in stitches. Out of over 100 hopefuls from across the country, she was named the judges' favourite, impressing comedy veterans Jason Goliath, Yaaseen Barnes and festival founder Eddy Cassar. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'I'm thrilled with the win!' said an elated Gudazi. 'I've always been the funny one in the room, even at work, where my boss started putting me in charge of master of ceremonies duties. That's where I found my confidence and eventually took the leap into comedy clubs.' The Jive Funny Championships is a national comedy search and social entrepreneurship initiative run by the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival. Gudazi was one of only eight finalists selected to compete in the final round. Her victory means she will now perform at the prestigious Jive Cape Town Funny Festival from June 2 to 29 at the Baxter Theatre, sharing the stage with seasoned South African comedians and international variety acts. Along with national recognition, Gudazi took home a Canal Walk gift card, a Jive hamper and a trophy. Tickets for the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival are available via Webtickets. THE MERCURY
