All female gaming team champion GBV awareness at international e-sports tournament

SOUTH Africa’s first all-female Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) team recently returned from competing on Malaysia's global stage, using their platform to raise awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) while breaking stereotypes in the male-dominated e-sports world.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

Despite facing tough competition, these five trailblazers are determined to transform their international experience into growth for South African e-sports.

Team captain and former Durban resident, Rowell Reece Pillay, 23, now living in Johannesburg, said the journey began long before they boarded their flight to Malaysia.

“I started gaming as a child and always loved PlayStation. I only started competing when I was 22. My family were very proud that I wanted to pursue this opportunity and supported me fully.”

She said the selection was through a rigorous trial process led by experienced evaluators, which resulted in the country’s strongest female MLBB players being selected.

“Players tried out and the best ones were selected. Through the South Africa’s national team trials, we qualified for the MLBB.”

Her teammates’ stories also echoed of passion, perseverance and late-blooming competitive ambition.

Shanel Arunachellam, 20, from Johannesburg, began gaming as a child and started competing last year.

“My family were not supportive at first, but eventually they warmed up to it,” she said.

Rashmika Nanakan, 30, from Pretoria, started gaming at 29.

“My family was sceptical, but still supportive,” she shared.