The 2026 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience Gauteng Final

Clearwater Mall crowns last Gauteng regional winners in the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience

The final Gauteng leg of South Africa’s biggest mall-based gaming tournament delivered another competitive weekend, with Clearwater Mall’s top players earning prizes and one winner securing a place in the National Final at Canal Walk later this month.

Gamers from across Gauteng gathered at Clearwater Mall for the latest regional round of the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience. Competitors tested their skills across EA FC 26™, Beat Saber, Fighting Cup titles, the Toyota Gaming Engine Fastest Lap challenge, Keyboard Rebuild and Subway Surfers, with Clearwater Mall gift cards and regional honours up for grabs.

The Clearwater Mall winners are:

EA FC 26™

1st: Phathuthsedzo Mulaudzi (22) – R2 500 Clearwater Mall gift card and qualification for the Canal Walk National Final
2nd: Landile Mthiyane (22) – R1 500 Clearwater Mall gift card
3rd: Katlego Mphaka (25) – R1 000 Clearwater Mall gift card

Beat Saber

Eythan Botha – R1 000 Clearwater Mall gift card

Keyboard Rebuild Challenge

Friday: Avian du Plessis (25) – R500 Clearwater Mall gift card
Saturday: Lesego Mosikane (24) – R500 Clearwater Mall gift card
Sunday: Bongani Nxumalo (26) – R500 Clearwater Mall gift card

Fighting Cup – Brawlhalla

1st: Jaden Devlal (19) – R1 000 Clearwater Mall gift card
2nd: Amro Ahmed – R500 Clearwater Mall gift card

Fighting Cup – Tekken

1st: Yadhill Mooni (26) – R1 000 Clearwater Mall gift card
2nd: Silumko Mgebisa (29) – R500 Clearwater Mall gift card

Fighting Cup – Street Fighter

1st: Tshiamo Lekoro (28) – R1 000 Clearwater Mall gift card
2nd: Vuyo Fani (18) – R500 Clearwater Mall gift card

Toyota Gaming Engine Fastest Lap

Friday: Jacques Fourie (21) – R1 000 Clearwater Mall gift card
Saturday: Devon Watt (19) – R1 000 Clearwater Mall gift card
Sunday: Nathan Watt (19) – R1 000 Clearwater Mall gift card

Subway Surfers Challenge

Cesc Ozoh (16) – R1 000 Clearwater Mall gift card

Several competitors continued their impressive tournament form at Clearwater Mall. Eythan Botha successfully defended his Beat Saber title after winning the category in 2025, while Avian du Plessis, Lesego Mosikane and Jaden Devlal repeated their victories in the Keyboard Rebuild and Brawlhalla competitions respectively. Yadhill Mooni improved on last year’s runner-up finish to claim the Tekken title, while Vuyo Fani, who won the Sunday Fighting Cup in 2025, added another podium finish with second place in Street Fighter.

The final round of regional competition will take place at CapeGate Shopping Centre, with the online qualifier on 9 August and the in-centre event running from 14 to 16 August.

The regional series will then culminate in the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience National Final at Canal Walk on 26 August, where the country’s leading qualifiers will compete for the national title.

The MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience is South Africa’s biggest mall-based gaming tournament, giving players of all ages the opportunity to compete in front of live audiences at Hyprop shopping centres across Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Remaining Tournament Dates & Venues: