A young Eswatini innovator incubated at the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) has launched Crazy8s, a locally developed multiplayer mobile gaming platform that lets players compete for real cash prizes.
Developed by entrepreneur Sakhile Mamba, the platform marks a significant step in Eswatini’s growing digital innovation ecosystem, combining mobile gaming, competitive strategy, and seamless integration with MTN Mobile Money to create what its founder describes as a uniquely local gaming experience.
Crazy8s allows EmaSwati to play popular card and board games in real time against other human players, with the opportunity to win money directly deposited into their mobile money wallets. The platform currently features Crazy Eights, a widely loved card game, and Draughts, a classic board game, with plans underway to introduce additional games, including Chess and casino-style offerings.
Mamba is no stranger to the innovation space. He is also the developer of Ridesly, a carpooling app tailored for the Eswatini market that was recently nominated for Best Innovation of the Year at the 2025 Eswatini Customer Service Excellence Awards. While Ridesly helped establish his credibility as a tech entrepreneur, Mamba says Crazy8s represents a new and more ambitious frontier.
“Crazy8s is about more than gaming,” Mamba said. “It’s about creating a digital platform that blends entertainment, strategy, and income-generating opportunities in a way that resonates with our local market.”
Unlike many online gaming platforms that rely on computer-generated opponents, Crazy8s is built around a strictly human-to-human model. Players compete only against real people who are online at the same time, eliminating bots or artificial intelligence opponents.
“One of the key things we wanted to address was fairness,” Mamba explained. “When people play on Crazy8s, they compete against other real players, not machines. That creates genuine competition and trust in the system.”
The platform’s flagship game, Crazy Eights, follows traditional rules familiar to many emaSwati, making it immediately accessible while rewarding strategy and skill. Special cards, such as wild eights, draw-twos, and skip queens, add tactical depth, while Draughts caters to players who prefer slower, more strategic board play.
A defining feature of Crazy8s is its full integration with MTN Mobile Money, reflecting a deep understanding of Eswatini’s financial landscape. Players can deposit funds by entering their 8-digit mobile money number, and deposits and withdrawals are available to MTN Eswatini users. Notably, the platform has set the minimum deposit and withdrawal amount at E0.01, making participation accessible to a wide range of users.
“We wanted to remove barriers,” Mamba said. “By integrating mobile money and keeping the minimum amounts very low, we are ensuring that anyone can participate, whether they are playing casually or competitively.”
Users can view their balances in real time and track all transactions via a wallet history feature, ensuring transparency and control over their funds.
Crazy8s caters to both casual and competitive players. Matches are typically offered at stakes of E5, E10, and E20, with winners taking the total pot minus a 10 percent platform fee.
For new users who want to familiarize themselves with the platform before risking real money, Crazy8s offers a Free Practice mode. Players can access up to three free practice matches per day for each game type, helping them learn the interface and game mechanics without financial pressure.
“This was intentional,” Mamba said. “We want people to feel comfortable and confident before they start playing for money.”
Beyond gameplay, Crazy8s features a built-in referral programme that rewards users for growing the platform. Players who refer others using their registered email addresses earn one percent of the total bet from every game their referrals play, regardless of the outcome. If a referral wins a tournament, the referrer also earns one percent of the prize pool. These commissions are paid for a full year and can be tracked directly in the app.
“This feature turns users into partners,” Mamba explained. “Even if you’re not actively playing, you can still earn by introducing others to the platform.”
With its local payment integration, culturally familiar games, and income-generating features, Crazy8s is positioning itself as a homegrown alternative to international gaming platforms that often overlook African markets. Mamba believes platforms like Crazy8s demonstrate the potential of local innovation to drive economic participation in the digital economy.
“There is a lot of untapped potential in Eswatini’s tech space,” he said. “We can build platforms that are competitive, compliant, and tailored for our people, instead of always importing solutions.”
Members of the public, potential partners, and stakeholders interested in the platform can reach Sakhile Mamba directly at 7847 9252 or via email at sakhile@crazy8s.live.