ICE Africa launches its Women in Gaming initiative

'Shining a light on Diverse Women within the gaming industry,' is the theme of this year’s Women in Gaming initiative developed and organized by Clarion Gaming and sponsored by the South Africa-based Zamani Holdings, the parent company under which Ithuba, the South African National Lottery operator functions.

The campaign is running throughout August, which is designated Women’s Month in South Africa, and will culminate in a networking breakfast being held at ICE Africa (2-3 October, Sandton Convention Centre, South Africa) and featuring leading women gaming executives from across the international landscape.

Women’s Month takes place every year and commemorates the 20,000+ women who marched on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws. Clarion Gaming is promoting the role of women within the industry via the #womendiverse social media campaign alongside a series of empowering interviews with women associated with this year’s edition of ICE Africa, including: Amne Suedi, Principal, Shikana Law Group – Tanzania (see below); Christina Thakor-Rankin, Co-Founder, All-in-Diversity; and Qhinaphi Sitsila, General Manager, Casino Association Of South Africa.

Explaining the significance of the campaign Alexandra Hamilton-Tomlinson, Marketing Manager responsible for the promotion of ICE Africa, said: “Clarion Gaming and the ICE brand looks to position itself as a leader in diversity and inclusion and we wanted to put our support behind this fantastic commemoration of women in Africa. This year’s celebration of Women In Gaming highlights the contributions made by inspirational and motivational women to the gaming ecosystem on the continent of Africa. The women that we are featuring come from all sectors of the industry and the nations that ICE Africa supports including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya – to name just a few."

She added: “We are of course delighted to be hosting the exclusive Women In Gaming breakfast on the second day of ICE Africa. It will provide the perfect opportunity for delegates and attendees to meet some of the inspirational women that have participated in the campaign, to network and to talk all things Women In Gaming. There will also be a series of educational and learning opportunities covering a broad spectrum of topical issues, including how diversity affects businesses drawing on the lived experiences of influential female gaming thought leaders."

Amne Suedi, Principal, Shikana Law Group, Tanzania

Why is ICE Africa important for the local gaming industry and why are you supporting this year’s event?

ICE Africa is a critical platform that brings various key stakeholders in gaming with a focus on the African market. This is especially important as more conversations are centred around the Fourth Industrial Revolution and what it means for Africa, particularly as gaming is one of the industries that are heavily reliant on technology. I am supporting this year’s event because as a professional in the industry, it is important to be part of the industry discussions so I can contribute my expertise in helping to shape the direction along with other industry colleagues and to stay abreast of trends so I can be in a position to advise my clients on the basis of the latest information.