The halls of Gallagher Convention Centre were abuzz as fans gathered to celebrate Comic-Con Africa 2019.
The festivities saw enthusiasts, young and old, dress up as their favourite comic characters and enjoyed the incredible atmosphere with 300 exhibitors across the five halls of the convention centre offering everything from figurines and gaming goods to competitions and accessories.
The event was buzzing with interesting activities including the Cosplay Karaoke Café and the Harry Potter Fan Meet-up which gave gamers, comic lovers and artists the opportunity to get together and have some fun.
With the goal of supporting home-grown talent, the event hosted talks and live drawing sessions by artist Clyde Beech, who is best known for his work on the Kwezi comic series as well as long-running soccer comic Supa Strikas, and Loyiso Mkize who worked as a head illustrator on the Supa Strikas comic books.
The convention centre was also filled with anticipation with the inclusion of celebrated actor, writer, director, and sci-fi legend William Shatner on the Comic-Con Africa roster. Shatner took to the stage on an opening day for a lively Q-and-A session. He spoke about his first experience coming to South Africa in the 90s. He said that, upon arriving in the country, learning of the concept of ubuntu had a great effect on him.
Shatner also gave fans the opportunity to ask him about his career, from playing James T Kirk in Star Trek to playing the eponymous character in the 1980s police show T.J. Hooker.
The main stage also hosted Vampire Diaries star Daniel Gillies who signed autographs and spoke about his career and his many philanthropic endeavours.
The beneficiary of Comic-Con Africa was CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa who hosted their own stand at the event. Communications coordinator for the foundation Taryn Seegers said the organisation hosted a stand to spread their message and create awareness to the Comic-Con Africa visitors.
Seegers said, “Children with cancer usually spend their childhood in the hospital and a child should be doing what is going on here at Comic-Con like dress up and use their imagination so we are excited to reach a new audience.”
Details: Comic-Con Africa
www.comicconafrica.co.za
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