Leandi proves that gaming is for girls too

The Covid-19 pandemic has all but put an end to sports around the globe, but has given rise to e-sports and online gaming.
Celebrities and sports stars around the world have taken their love for sport online, competing in Formula 1, FIFA (football) and more.
Leandi du Plessis’ love for online gaming began a long time before the lockdown was ever enforced, but having to stay at home has reignited her passion for playing.
“I started gaming at a very young age, back when the Sega consoles were in. At that stage, my favourite games were Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario,” she says with a smile.
Growing up watching a cousin play Dota (Defence of the Ancients) drew this Glencoe lass to the world of online gaming.
“It always looked like so much fun, because you could play with people around the world and better yourself, but I could never do so because we didn’t have Internet access at home,” she explains.
Once the family got Wi-Fi, Leandi could finally pursue her passion.
She started off playing Fortnite, but has since branched out into Call of Duty, Apex Legends and Overwatch.
She admits that it was a bit difficult at first, as she was so accustomed to playing Fortnite alone, but she loves the challenge every game poses.
“It’s always a strategic battle trying to outsmart the other players. The best part though is making friends with the people I play with around the world.”
This paid off when she made friends with a few female gamers in a group on Discord, run by her idol, KittyPlays. It was through her newfound friendships that she got involved in an international team called S3 Select.
The owner of the team, who saw a lot of potential in her, invited her to be part of the Fortnite Academy and later on, she was given an on-off position as the team’s stream manager.
The role required her to be online often and so after work, she’d play into the early hours of the morning. Her friends, who are all based in America, were online at those times too and so the team would continue (even on weekends) until they were all tired.
The long hours left Leandi needing a break, herself, and for a while she wasn’t online as much. Now, with lockdown in full effect, she’s rediscovering her love for gaming and is also considering going back to streaming like she used to.
“I’d love to inspire people, especially girls who love gaming; showing them that it’s okay for girls to love gaming and actually be good at it. They should pursue their dreams and the goals they have, not just in gaming but overall in life, and never give up on their dreams.”
Leandi is also hoping to dispel the stigma that gaming is just sitting in front of a TV or computer.
“For me, it’s a good way to just relieve stress and get out of my own head. It actually does improve concentration, hand-eye co-ordination, reflexes, problem solving and so much more. But like any good thing, it’s also good to maintain a healthy balance, especially if you’re still in school or working.”
With the landscape of online gaming always changing, Leandi hopes to play her way to the top.
The best part is that she can make a career out of it while staying safely at home.

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