The appeal of this year’s event extended well beyond Pietermaritzburg, with gaming enthusiasts travelling from across the country to be part of the action. Gamers travelled from as far as Johannesburg and Cape Town, highlighting the growing popularity of the festival and its appeal to both competitive players and casual fans.

The festival transformed the mall into a vibrant gaming hub, with free-to-play stations, racing simulators and competitive tournaments creating a dynamic atmosphere across the centre court, Wimpy court and Woolworths court. Gamers of all ages engaged in a wide range of experiences, reinforcing Liberty Midlands Mall’s ongoing commitment to hosting innovative and engaging events for its community.

A key highlight of the weekend was the highly anticipated EA Sports FC 26 tournament, which saw competitive players go head-to-head in a thrilling display of skill and sportsmanship. After a series of intense matchups, Kuzakahle Khanyile secured first place, followed by Dale Nott in second place, while Siyanda N claimed third.

Beyond the competitions, the festival created a vibrant space where gaming culture could thrive. Visitors explored new technology, connected with fellow enthusiasts and immersed themselves in an experience that extended well beyond traditional retail. Interactive elements such as Gaming Bingo encouraged exploration across the festival, adding to the overall energy and engagement.

Lawrence Joubert, General Manager of Liberty Midlands Mall, says the response has exceeded all expectations. “This year’s Gaming Festival has really elevated what we set out to achieve. The scale of attendance, the level of competition and the overall atmosphere have confirmed that this event has grown into something far bigger than we initially imagined. It has become a key moment on our calendar that continues to grow and is an experience that resonates strongly with our community.”

The overwhelming success of the 2026 edition marks a turning point for the festival, positioning it as a must-visit event within South Africa’s growing gaming landscape. As momentum continues to build, Liberty Midlands Mall is set to further expand the experience in the years ahead, continuing to deliver an event that captures the excitement and evolution of gaming culture.

For more information on Liberty Midlands Mall and its events, visit midlandsmall.co.za or follow Liberty Midlands Mall on social media @libertymidlandsmall.

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The winners are:

1st Winning School: Deccan Road Primary School
Winning Learner: Anamika Maikoo – Grade 1

2nd Winning School: Toybox School
Winning Learner:  Anesu Ngcobo – Grade 3

3rd Winning School: Athlone Primary School
Winning Learner: Natara Govender – Grade 7

Each of these learners presented a distinct and imaginative perspective on sustainability. Their art pieces will now be printed onto a collection of limited-edition eco- friendly tote bags, giving shoppers a tangible way to enjoy the project’s environmental vision. Their schools have each won R 10 000, based on the number of votes their learners’ artworks received.

The top 3 category winners each received a R1 000 Midlands Mall shopping voucher, a large hamper from Yokico, as well as hampers and gift cards from Bargain Books, CUM Books, Exclusive books, McDonalds and Standard Bank. The runners up in each category received Midlands Mall shopping vouchers and gift hampers from Bargain Books, CUM Books, Exclusive Books and Standard Bank.

A platform for young voices

Earlier phases of the project saw more than 300 learners from Grades 1 to 7 across Pietermaritzburg submit original artworks highlighting themes such as recycling, green spaces and clean energy. During July, Liberty Midlands Mall hosted a public exhibition in the centre court, offering visitors a chance to view the artworks and vote for their favourites.

The exhibition drew wide participation from schools, families and shoppers, and served as a platform not only for artistic expression but also for meaningful community dialogue around sustainability. The voting process ensured that the public played an active role in selecting the final winners.

Collect a limited-edition tote bag

From 16 to 31 August, shoppers who spend R350 or more anywhere in the mall will be eligible to collect one of the three specially designed tote bags featuring the winning artworks. Shoppers can visit the activation station with their till slips and collect their personalised bags from our young artists, while stocks last.

These reusable bags are a creative extension of the campaign’s environmental message and a celebration of the young artists’ efforts to influence change through visual storytelling.

“ARTopia has been an inspiring project that brought the community together in support of both the arts and the environment,” said Lawrence Joubert, General Manager at Liberty Midlands Mall. “We are proud to recognise the talent and vision of these young learners and to give their work a platform that lives beyond the exhibition.”

With the final phase now in motion, Liberty Midlands Mall closes this year’s ARTopia campaign by placing meaningful art into the hands of the community, encouraging more conscious choices and celebrating the voices of tomorrow.

For more information on how to participate, please contact Ronael Seyambu at Ronael.Seyambu@epsgroup.co.za. For more information on Liberty Midlands Mall and its projects, go to midlandsmall.co.za or follow Liberty Midlands Mall on social media @libertymidlandsmall.

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Bigger turnout, bigger prizes

Now in its fourth year, the event’s continued success lies in its ability to evolve. From expanded game categories to a broader range of interactive installations, the festival stays firmly in touch with the pulse of the gaming community. A total prize value of over R100,000, including 650 Game4U vouchers, kept the competitive spirit alive across all corners of the mall.

The EA FC 25 tournament, held in the Wimpy court, remained a central draw, with participants arriving as early as 7 am to secure their spots in the qualifying rounds. After three days of gameplay, the tournament concluded with the champion walking away with a PS5 Slimline worth R14 000. The second- and third-place finalists received a VR Oculus Meta Quest and a racing chair combo, respectively.

New dimensions in digital entertainment

This year’s new features helped solidify the festival’s status as a must-attend event. The introduction of Kinect and rhythm-based games brought in lively dance and sports-themed challenges, offering more variety and keeping energy levels high. For full immersion seekers, the addition of a virtual reality experience transported players into alternate gaming realms.

Liberty Midlands Mall’s exclusive gaming store, Game4U, anchored the event with an enhanced on-site retail presence. The dedicated kiosk allowed festivalgoers to browse and buy the latest gear and accessories, rounding off the experience for casual players and serious gamers alike.

By constantly refreshing the event offering and deepening its community connection, Liberty Midlands Mall continues to build momentum with each iteration of the Gaming Festival. Plans for 2026 are already underway, with a renewed focus on pushing the limits of what’s possible in experiential retail and entertainment.

For further details on Liberty Midlands Mall and its future projects, visit midlandsmall.co.za or follow @libertymidlandsmall across social media platforms.

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