Become The Character
CosplayStage
South Africa's best cosplayers compete for the crown across four divisions — plus workshops, a photo zone and an all-day community walk-around.
The Competition
Divisions
Enter the tier that matches your craft experience. Prizes awarded in each.
Padawan Cosplay Competition
Calling all young adventurers, magical beings, and pint-sized superheroes — your moment has arrived! Whether you’re channelling a favourite anime character, gaming legend, or storybook icon, this is your chance to shine. Handmade, store-bought, or a clever mix of household magic, every costume is welcome on stage. It isn’t about perfection, it’s about passion. Strike a pose, show off your moves, and bring your character to life in front of a cheering crowd.
Cosplay Masquerade
Ready to turn heads, drop jaws, and steal the show? The Masquerade is back, bigger and bolder than ever. Handcrafted masterpiece, store-bought stunner, or closet-born creation — solo stars, dynamic duos and full-blown squads all own the stage. You get 30 seconds to make your mark, so every move counts, with the lights blazing and the crowd roaring. Saturday, 28 November 2026 — sign up on the day at the Cosplay booth.
Lip Sync Cosplay Showdown
Where cosplay meets performance and the stage becomes your battlefield. Step into character, bring the attitude, and lip sync your way to victory as a fierce villain, a beloved hero, or a chaotic gremlin icon. Expect big energy, bold costumes, and unforgettable head‑to‑head performances for crowd glory and bragging rights. Saturday, 28 November 2026. Entry is free but pre-registration is required — entries open 1 October and close 21 November 2026.
GES rAge Cosplay Competition
A celebration of the craft itself — hand‑built armour, intricate sewing, detailed props, and character‑accurate finishes that show what months of sanding, sculpting and stitching can achieve. Entries are judged on build quality, technique, innovation, and presentation, and one maker rises above the rest as Best in Show to advance to The Great Cosplay Indaba. Pre-judging Saturday 28 November, stage show Sunday 29 November 2026. Pre-registration and an entry fee apply — entries open 1 October and close 21 November 2026.
Continental Final
The Great Cosplay Indaba 2026
A Continental Celebration of Creativity and Culture
The Great Cosplay Indaba is an ambitious, continent‑spanning celebration designed to spotlight the extraordinary imagination, skill, and passion of African cosplayers. Across multiple African countries, local preliminaries will invite fans, creators, and performers to step into the spotlight and bring their favourite characters to life. Each nation will select one finalist, a standout cosplayer whose craftsmanship, performance, and dedication embody the spirit of their local cosplay community.
These finalists will then travel to South Africa, where the grand finale of The Great Cosplay Indaba unfolds. There, they will share a single stage, representing the diversity, artistry, and cultural richness of their home countries. The final event is more than a competition; it’s a gathering of creative minds, a showcase of African talent, and a celebration of the growing cosplay movement across the continent.
The Indaba aims to build bridges between communities, encourage collaboration, and elevate cosplay as a respected art form in Africa. From intricate costumes to powerful performances, The Great Cosplay Indaba highlights the incredible stories, skills, and voices that make African fandom unique.
Whether you’re a seasoned cosplayer, a newcomer to the craft, or simply a fan of creativity in all its forms, The Great Cosplay Indaba invites you to witness a new era of continental connection and artistic expression.
On The Day
Stage Times
Coming Soon
The full cosplay stage schedule for rAge 2026 is still being locked in. Times for pre-judging, workshops and each competition will be published here closer to the show.
Read First
Important Info
- 01All cosplay competitions are run by GES Cosplay, who have been involved in organizing and managing cosplay competitions and events throughout South Africa since 2014
- 02The core values and goals of GES and rAge are to run transparent and fair cosplay competitions.
- 03The motto, "Cosplay is for Everyone", reflects the GES and rAge belief that all cosplayers deserve recognition, regardless of their skill level.
- 04Cosplay Is Not Consent – harassment of any kind, including stalking, deliberate intimidation, unwelcome physical attention, physical assault and battery, will not be tolerated at rAge.
- 05rAge is a family-friendly event so we don’t allow cosplay that is revealing, explicit, lewd, pornographic or overtly sexual and inappropriate in any way.
Questions
Cosplay FAQ
Ready To Compete?
Registration opens closer to the event — reach out to enter or ask about the rules.
