KZN Hosts Successful Esports Tourney On Valentine’s Day At DUT
While millions celebrated Valentine’s Day on 14 February 2026, KwaZulu-Natal showed its passion for sport differently — by hosting a major esports tournament.
Electronic sport (esports) took centre stage as the KwaZulu-Natal Esport Federation and the eThekwini Esport Federation, in collaboration with the provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, staged an exciting gaming event that brought together players from across the eThekwini Metro and surrounding districts.
The tournament was held at the Durban University of Technology and ran throughout Saturday, attracting competitive gamers and esports enthusiasts alike.
Pathway to Provincial Representation
Participants competed not only for top honours but also for an opportunity to be selected for the provincial team that will represent KwaZulu-Natal in upcoming inter-provincial competitions.
The event showcased the growing popularity of esports in the province and highlighted the competitive talent emerging from local communities. It also served as a valuable test of KwaZulu-Natal’s capacity to host larger-scale esports tournaments in the future, while raising awareness of esports as a recognised sporting code.
Tournament Results
FIFA Top 3 Winners:
- Shivaan Singh
- Lethizwe Ncwane
- Iviwe Sibukwe
Tekken Top 3 Winners:
- Simphiwe Shange
- Jaiden Naidoo
- Lindo Mlomo
The successful staging of the tournament marks another milestone in the growth of esports in KwaZulu-Natal, reinforcing the province’s commitment to developing digital and competitive gaming talent.
