A proudly South African version of Pokémon GO has just been released, showcasing the weird and wonderful that the country has to offer.
Pokémon GO is a new mobile game for smartphones, encouraging people to go out and catch virtual Pokémon. All over the world, young and old are walking around with their eyes fixed on their smartphones, trying to catch them all.
Others can be seen shaking their heads at the Pokémon GO players, wondering what all the fuss is about.
Pokémon are fictional creatures which Pokémon trainers catch and train to battle each other. While the game has yet to be officially released in our country, many circulated links to pirate copies of the game, in truly South African style.
Those who are waiting for the official release have been given a boost while they wait, with the release of a South African version called Pokémon: Gotta Steal Em All.
The aim of the game is not to catch Pokémon but to steal other trainers Pokémon. Walking around your neighborhood, identify those with their smartphones out, steal their Pokémon they have just caught and steal their phones in the process. There is also extra experience on offer for trainers who catch the legendary creatures limited to South Africa only. These include Dikachu, a yellow rat Pokémon that looks coincidentally like State President, Jacob Zuma.

There is also the fossil type Pokémon, Kabuthelezi, which has long since been forgotten about until it was recently discovered before the elections.

The only difference between the two is that Dikachu has a shower protruding from his head. Dikachu’s main move is Steal, which steals other trainer’s hard earned money which is then used to build a house. Dikachu also has the water type move, Shower, which it uses whenever it has been poisoned by other Pokémon and Blame Game. Blame Game is used to shift the blame onto other Pokémon, especially those from the Apartheid generation. Dikachu is extremely hard to catch, having evaded capture numerous times, especially by the Hawks.
Other legendary Pokémon include Charmadonsela, a fire dragon Pokémon that burns all those that abuse state funds. There’s also Chancer, the EFF Pokémon that is always taking chances, trying to secure more votes and Maimanyte, the official opposition Pokémon. Maimanyte is blue in colour and has the move Expose, which it uses to expose the wrongdoings of the other legendaries. There is also the fossil type Pokémon, Kabuthelezi, which has long since been forgotten about until it was recently discovered before the elections.
Pokémon South Africa has been a huge hit among the population crying out for a game that truly reflects the Rainbow Nation.
Remember, you gotta steal ’em all, just don’t get caught.