SA’s ultimate gaming pilgrimage sees gamers travel wide and far for Comic Con Africa

Published Sep 30, 2024

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Commenting on the gaming industry and its potential for inclusive growth, he encouraged young people to make their dreams a reality through gaming and other opportunities available to them.

South Africa Johannesburg Comic Con 26 September 2024. Day 1 of Comic Con Africa kicked of at Nasrec expo center promising a jampacked weekend ahead for fans of gaming, cosplay Funko which was the highlight of the day. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers

In what can be described as a gaming pilgrimage, thousands of gaming lovers travelled from near and far for the South Africa’s ultimate pop culture and gaming festival, the Comic Con Africa festival, which kicked off on Thursday and wrapped up its gaming fair on Sunday.

For four straight days, the Nasrec Conference Centre in Soweto bustled with younger and older gaming fanatics as they visited various exhibitions and sprawling food stalls as well as merchandisers selling various items and collectibles.

On Friday, a day before his much-anticipated performance at the AXE stall, dancer, musician and actor, Robot Boii, was the centre of attraction as he posed and interacted with eager fans following his recent partnership with the fragrance brand.

South Africa Johannesburg Comic Con 26 September 2024. Day 1 of Comic Con Africa kicked of at Nasrec expo center promising a jampacked weekend ahead for fans of gaming, cosplay Funko which was the highlight of the day. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers

Commenting on the gaming industry and its potential for inclusive growth, he encouraged young people to make their dreams a reality through gaming and other opportunities available to them.

South Africa Johannesburg Comic Con 26 September 2024. Day 1 of Comic Con Africa kicked of at Nasrec expo center promising a jampacked weekend ahead for fans of gaming, cosplay Funko which was the highlight of the day. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers

“I love the fact that the gaming industry in South Africa is growing. Things like gaming are some of the things we were told are not good for our future, but now we see kids making a career out of theml,” the talented dancer told “The Star”.

“We see young people getting opportunities and it has become a career that young people can take up. It is a dope thing and I love that it is growing in general,” he said.

Speaking at the launch of Comic Con on Thursday, Ameena Mhatey, AXE assistant brand manager, had this to say about the brand's involvement in a gaming event (Comic Con): "AXE has always been about creating this illusional space for customers to be confident, be themselves, and express themselves in the best way that defines who they are.

“As a brand, we feel like gaming does that to a lot of people, which we felt is the best space for us to tap into, whether that be with the Gen-Z or older group.

“We really wanted to tap into a new target audience that we could attract whether that be in gaming, or sports.

On why AXE chose to partner with amapiano star Robot Boii as its latest ambassador, she said: "We wanted to tap into an audience that follows an ambassador who they're proud of and look up to.

“I would confidently say with a lot of Robot Boii followers, we tap into exactly that. They look up to him, they want to be him, and with AXE, you can be exactly like Robot Boii."

A gaming fanatic, who travelled all the way from Mpumalanga with his siblings to be at Comic Con Africa, was Karabo Mokwana from White River.

“Me and my siblings have come all the way to be here because we love gaming and this event presents to us a chance to bond and create memories as siblings.

“This is all my sister’s doing, who planned this trip with all of us in mind,” he said.

The Star