Super Stage’s Play 4 Real changes the game plan!

Targeted at a tech savvy generation raised playing virtual games, the content of which more often than not, is based on warfare and terror, the latest Super Stage challenge, called ‘PLAY 4 REAL’, decided to turn game play into a socially positive tool that is more than just a form of escapist entertainment. It is an opportunity to motivate more collaborative problem-solving gaming content that can be applied to the physical world to help solve real-world challenges.

And the prize? The value of R200 000 to help convert  the winning idea (as far as possible) into a game and launch it on Mxit, the biggest social broadcast network in Africa.

With eye-catching posters and a viral video brief, the Super Stage Team hit 15-20 mainstream & fringe universities & technikons on a national scale, including local airwaves (Cape Talk; Lead SA); campus newspapers and radio stations, and social media platforms, collaborating with student leaders for weekly activations (including a giant naughts and crosses game and an arcade game challenge at Stellenbosch University) to spearhead the challenge and encourage a frenzy of idea pitching by the 20th of September.

The Top 10 game-changers, ultimately representing Stellenbosch, Vega, UCT, UWC and Wits (flown in) were work-shopped and prepped to present their ideas to a live audience at Stellenbosch University’s debut Super Stage event on the 4th October.

With headlines like ‘Social Entrepreneurship is the new game in town’ and ‘Virtual games put SA education back on track’ lining the streets to Academia Res, it was time for the REAL games to begin. (Despite the nasty weather!)

Gina Levy, the originator of Supernews and Super Stage opened the event. “In a world consumed by more problems than solutions, we need to change the odds. And we need to harness the power of technology to create more game-changers. “

With just five minutes to present their innovative ideas, the Top 10 captivated the audience with personal stories and inspirational ideas that ranged from financial trading to homeless rehab to career choices to water safety. The audience was also entertained with beatboxers and interactive games, and surprised with prizes that included a home theatre system, board games, and more.

The all impressive line-up of Super Judges, included Vanessa Clark, co-founder of Mobiflock; Deon Robbertze, co-founder of Sustain Our Africa (SOA); software guru Roderick Lim Banda; sustainability financier, Chris Loker (Water Financial); Eric Clements, founder of Kazazoom; Pierre du Plessis (Ernst & Young); award winning serial social entrepreneur, Patrick Schofield (Streetwires); Techpreneur, Eric Edelstein (Springleap); media and technology entrepreneur, Oliver Power (Supa Strika); and Professor John Powell, the director of the Stellenbosch University Graduate Business School.

Reaching a unanimous decision, the winners were announced, putting Stellenbosch University’s dynamic duo, Pienette Loubser and Dawid Saaiman (Street Support) in 3rd place, UCT’s Molefe Choane (Financial Freedom) in 2nd place and UWC’s Ayanda Ntuli and Jamie Wyngaard (Play Trade) in pole position.

Super Stage’s currency is opportunity, so win or lose the Super Prize, the Top 9 still get to make their ideas happen via our crowd-funding platform. With a target of R5000 per idea, the Super Stage public get to invest their pocket change (anything from an affordable R25) in an idea they believe will make SA work better!

The Super Crew attracted student talent from City Varsity, who respectively captured the event on film, while volunteer go-getters from Stellenbosch’s Frederick van Zyl Slabbert Institute and Academia Res helped behind the scenes.

Thanks to our sponsors and supporters: Ernst & Young, Mxit, Kazazoom, Derivco, Xanita, Coastal Hire, Boo Media, Rethink, What Is Fiction, Creative Gear, Clearer Conscience, 3M, Cape Talk, Mfm, Bulk sms; Game, Just Popcorn, Vitamin Water and Wakaberry.

Links to check out:
Top 10 game-changers watch & crowd-fund
Super Stage Applause
Send your suggestions and comments to: superidea@superstage.co.za