Even with load shedding causing frustration among both athletes and officials alike, Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) was able to still host a verys successful championship were all participants were able to compete and, most of all, have fun.
With the “competent” South African government stating that South Africa will have load shedding for the next two years, MSSA is already reviewing its policies in regard to load shedding and its online championships.
Load shedding has a huge impact on esports, and may end up causing online console and pc gaming to become elitist as only those who are substantially financially advantaged will be able to compete. It may also result in mobile esports becoming more popular.. A continuous and consistent electricity supply is vital to South Africa developing as a major esports nation.
Nevertheless, MSSA is more than happy with the results from the 2023 Northern Cape Championships.
There were no less than seven (7) provinces represented, and more importantly, there were more females participating since 2020. Of the 22 athletes who earned Provincial Colours, 7 of such athletes are females.
Special mention must be made of Karli Roodt (Middelburg Hoërskool) who is the first female champion in the esports title of Rocket League to earn Mpumalanga Provincial colours. Karli also qualifies for National Team Trials, and may very well end up in the National Squad and/or Protea Team.
The female esports team, VYBN Females, also had a good showing in the CSGO esports title. The team has now earned Provincial colours as well as qualifying for National Team Trials, and may very well end up in the National Squad and/or Protea Team. Of course, CSGO is just one of the six titles which MSSA has entered to contest at IESF’s 15th World Championships.
IESF’s 15th World Championships will be played to the following titles:
- Counter-Strike: GO (CSGO)
- Counter-Strike: GO (CSGO) – Female division
- DotA 2
- eFootball
- Mobile Legends, Bang Bang
- PUBGM
- Tekken 7
The winners of the 2023 Northern Cape Online Championships are:
| Title | Name of player/team | Club | Colours awarded |
| Clash of Clans | Martin Venter | Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom | North West |
| Clash Royale – Premier | John Kim | Middies | Mpumulanga |
| Clash Royale – Premier – Female | Leone Loftus | Masters of Mind Sports | Free State |
| Clash Royale | Tshwarelo Tshwane | Knights Mind Sports Club | |
|
CS:GO – Premier
|
ZAG CS |
ZAG Academy
|
|
| Josh Chapman | Western Cape | ||
| Sebastian Montoya-Pelaez | Western Cape | ||
| Michael de Villiers | Western Cape | ||
| Josh Orelowitz | Western Cape | ||
| Thomas Venables | Gauteng | ||
|
CS:GO – Premier – Female
|
VYBN Females |
ZAG Academy
|
|
| Paula van Vuuren | Western Cape | ||
| Chloe Wilson | Gauteng | ||
| Rialet van Jaarsveld | Gauteng | ||
| Nicky Muller | Gauteng | ||
| Alexandria Kruger | Mpumulanga | ||
| FIFA 23 – Premier | Antonie Botes | Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom | North West |
|
PUBGM – Premier
|
Team eFx |
Team eFx
|
|
| Sulaimaan Musthan | KwaZulu Natal | ||
| Jared Rubly | Gauteng | ||
| Jarrod Pretorius | Gauteng | ||
| Richard Henry | Eastern Cape | ||
| Rocket League – Premier | Nick Matzopoulos | ZAG Academy | Western Cape |
| Rocket League – Premier – Female | Karli Roodt | Middies | Mumulanga |
| Rocket League – High Schools | Maree van der Merwe | Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom | |
| Tekken 7 | Jonathan Brown | Team Playbell | Western Cape |
| Sportsmanship Award | Desiree Botha | Middies | |
