Comic Con Africa 2024, held from 26-29 September, attracted an impressive 70,000 visitors to the Johannesburg Expo Centre. As one of the largest pop culture and gaming festivals on the continent, this year’s event cemented its place as a must-attend celebration for fans of all things geek and gaming.
Carol Weaving, Managing Director of RX Africa, remarked on the scale of the event: “Comic Con Africa took 21 weeks of planning, over 70 hours of set-up, and a full 48 hours to dismantle – but the outcome was worth every minute.”
A Fan Experience Like No Other
The four-day event offered attendees a host of interactive experiences, from on-site and virtual gaming to cosplay competitions, eSports tournaments, and shopping opportunities. Fans had the chance to meet cosplayers, influencers, and even celebrities. The Johannesburg Expo Centre provided the ideal space, with 36,000 square meters dedicated to 5 stages and 18 activation areas.
The event’s main stage featured an array of pop culture content, including Otaku Town, which celebrated anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture, and the Telkom VS Gaming Stage, where seasoned gamers competed for R300,000 in prizes.
Big Brands and Bigger Attractions
Some of the world’s top brands, including KFC, Telkom, Axe, Red Bull, Doritos, Netflix, and Disney+, were part of the Comic Con Africa experience. Popular attractions included the Toyota Gaming Engine, Nu Metro Pop-Up Cinema, NCPD Marvel Superhero Training Academy, and Toys R Us Pop-Up Store.
The star-studded guest list included Lou Ferrigno, Joe Manganiello, and Brenton Thwaites, alongside international cosplayers like CutiePieSensei and Wynter Phoenix. Fans also had the opportunity to meet 12 comic book artists, further enriching the pop culture feast.
Cosplay Takes Center Stage
For many, the highlight of the event was the cosplay. The Comic Con Africa Championships of Cosplay crowned Blu Rohbot Studios as the winner, earning them the opportunity to represent Africa at the prestigious C2E2 in Chicago. A remarkable portrayal of Groot won the fan-favourite vote, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity that cosplay inspires.
Carla Massmann, Show Director for Comic Con Africa, emphasized the inclusive nature of the event: “Comic Con Africa is a place where everyone can express themselves without judgment, connecting with like-minded people and forming new friendships.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
In addition to 90 hours of stage content and approximately 19.07 TB of data used on the free fan Wi-Fi, this year’s event laid the groundwork for an even bigger and better Comic Con Africa in 2025.
As Weaving concluded, “It’s a massive effort to host an event of this scale. But with the support of our core team, partners, and sponsors, we can’t wait to do it all again. Only 50 weeks to go!”
Contact Information: For more information, contact Olivia Gradidge at olivia.gradidge@rxglobal.com.
