It always feels a bit weird writing these “hype” posts but hell, here we are. If you told me a few years ago I’d be desk hosting a Counter-Strike Major, I’d have laughed at you. But here I am, getting ready to host my third Major in three years. The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is on the horizon and I’ll be your desk host for one of the biggest events in the Counter-Strike world. That sentence alone still feels wild to type.
What makes a Major such a big deal?
If you’re not deep in the Counter-Strike trenches, a Major isn’t just another event. It’s the pinnacle of competitive CS, where the best teams, the biggest storylines, and the most passionate fans collide on a global stage. Being trusted to help tell those stories? That’s something I’ll never take for granted. As I mentioned earlier, this will be my third Major in three years, following the BLAST.tv Paris Major and the Perfect World Shanghai Major at the end of 2024. Each one has been special in its own way and each has taught me something new about the game, the players, and the incredible production crews who make it all happen. I didn’t think I’d have an opportunity to be part of a Major broadcast this year so I’m really honoured to be able to head to Budapest in the next few weeks. I’ve been very lucky this year getting to work with different tournament organisers and being trusted by PGL to do a full stadium event.
My first stadium tournament: PGL Astana
In May this year PGL invited me to desk host PGL Astana in Kazakhstan alongside Richard Lewis, who was the other desk host. This was a really special event for me because it was the first time I got to desk host in a stadium. Standing in front of a roaring crowd in Kazakhstan, feeling that energy through the arena… damn, there is nothing like it. I’ve worked big esports broadcasts before, but that one hit differently. It was a moment of awe and realisation of far this passion had really taken me. While 2024 was probably my most succesful year in my professional CS broadcasting career, 2025 came with some mental moments.
I was very nervous coming into the year because of changes to the competitive tournament structure and league of CS, but looking back, I’ve travelled across continents, worked with some of the most respected voices and players in the world and gottent to share moments which will go down in Counter-Strike history. And while I don’t like to dwell too much on “firsts”, it’s hard not to acknowledge this:
No other South African has hosted multiple Counter-Strike Majors.
And very few women have had the privilege.
That’s not a brag, it’s a reflection. A reflection of how far the scene has come, and how much potential still exists for the next generation. If one person reading this decides to chase their own esports dream after seeing a South African accent on the Major desk, then it’s all worth it. If my story proves anything, it’s that it IS possible.
Now, let’s get ready for the Major!
I’m fully locked in and focusing on Major prep (and what to pack), but I did want to take a moment to pause and appreciate how damn cool this is for someone like me. If you’ve been following me for some time you’ll have been part of this journey and know how much I’ve gone through. It’s special to sometimes reflect on the growth. Budapest is going to be incredible. I worked with the StarLadder crew on Overwatch Contenders MANY years ago and with Counter-Strike 2 settling into its new era, I cannot wait to see what stories we’ll tell together.
If you’ve watched, supported, shared or even just meme’d me along the way, thank you! You’ve been part of this journey in more ways than you know.
