Tuesday, 3 February 2026

Professional esports athletes must register for tax.

The law is clear - income from esports by professionals is taxable.

There is a specific inclusion in the gross income definition (the definition used as the starting point to determine an individual’s taxable income) which states that amounts received in relation to services rendered – even if it is a voluntary award – will be included in gross income and subject to tax.

Since a professional esports athletes would either be seen as an employee of, or as an an independent contractor, of the company for which he/she plays (see The basics about contracts for esports athletes) if such employee receives a reward related to his job function, it will be considered gross income as it is linked to services rendered.

Thus winning prize money in a competition if you are a professional esports athlete would  be seen by revenue authorities (SARS) as being related to a job function.
Whether the prize could be cash or otherwise, the prize will still be subject to tax.
If it is a non-cash prize, the monetary worth of that specific item will be included in gross income and subject to tax.
Thus it stands to reason that all companies paying prize monies to professional athletes, and/or to the companies  for which they play, must satisfy themselves that they are complying to SARS rules. The companies receiving such prize money (which often call themselves MGO's) running professional teams need to register with the revenue authorities in regard to declaring their winnings and the withholding of tax on their athletes.

Additional reading:
Athlete's rights:

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Sunday, 1 February 2026

Is a professional gamer in South Africa entitled to a salary?

A former South African Protea team competing in IESF's championship in South Korea.

Only if a professional gamer in South Africa is legally classified as an employee is a professional gamer in South Africa entitled to a salary. Professional gamers in South Africa are not automatically entitled to a salary merely because they are “professional gamers”.

Here is the precise legal position under South African law.

1. Salary entitlement depends on employment status

Under South African labour law, a right to a salary arises only if a person is an “employee” as defined in the:

  • Labour Relations Act (LRA)

  • Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA)

If a professional gamer is not an employee, there is no statutory right to a salary.

2. When a professional gamer is entitled to a salary

A gamer is entitled to a salary if the relationship with the esports organisation/team meets the legal tests for employment, regardless of what the contract is called.

Key indicators of employee status include (Section 200A LRA):

  • The organisation controls training schedules, match participation, conduct, or availability

  • The gamer is economically dependent on the organisation

  • The gamer is integrated into the organisation (branding, mandatory appearances, exclusivity)

  • The gamer must personally render services

  • The organisation supplies equipment, facilities, or infrastructure

  • The gamer works set hours or under direction

If these factors are present, the gamer is legally an employee, and then:

✔ The organisation must pay remuneration (salary/wages)
✔ The BCEA applies (leave, notice, working hours, etc.)
✔ Minimum wage laws may apply, depending on circumstances

Calling the contract a “player agreement” or “independent contractor agreement” does not override reality.

3. When a professional gamer is not entitled to a salary

A gamer is not entitled to a salary if they are genuinely an independent contractor, for example:

  • They operate as a self-employed individual

  • They invoice the organisation for services

  • They can compete for or work with other teams

  • They control their own training time

  • They bear their own business risk

  • Payment is per event, prize share, sponsorship split, or appearance fee

In this case:

✖ No BCEA protection
✖ No statutory salary requirement
✔ Payment is governed only by the contract

4. Important distinction: salary vs prize money

  • Prize money is not a salary

  • Sponsorship revenue sharing is not a salary

  • Appearance fees are not a salary

Only remuneration paid in an employment relationship qualifies as a salary under labour law.

5. Practical conclusion

Professional gamers in South Africa are entitled to a salary only if:

  • They are legally employees under the LRA/BCEA

They are not entitled to a salary if:

  • They are independent contractors or competitors earning prize-based or commercial income

Misclassification carries serious risk:

  • CCMA disputes

  • Back-pay claims

  • PAYE and SARS penalties

Additional reading:
Athlete's rights:

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Thursday, 29 January 2026

MSSA enters Global Esports Games to be held in Mumbai, India.

Zaid Williams (Clash Royale) and Matthew Raubach (Captain of DotA) have been selected to officially represent South Africa as members of the Protea Esports team that will play in GEG25.

 Further to the article 'Clash Royale esports athletes may win a trip to Mumbai....', Mind Sports South Africa has submitted tits entry to Mumbai 2025 Global Esports Games (GEG25).

The event should have been held in 2025, but due to a variety of factors, the
GEG25 World Finals will be held in Mumbai, India, from 26 February to 1 March 2026. 

However, it must be noted that regional qualifiers will be held prior to the finals.
 
Entry is for the following titles: 
 
  • DOTA 2 (PC): FIVE (5) Athletes + ONE (1) Coach per team, per country/territory  
  • Clash Royale (Mobile): ONE (1) Athlete per country/territory 

The current MSSA Protea Team for the DotA esports title will again take to the field while MSSA selected its Clash Royale athlete at its recent Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships.

The DotA team is arguably the best DotA team to ever represent South Africa and under Matthew's leadership, the South African Protea DotA 2 team recorded decisive wins over Madagascar and Namibia in 2025 IESF (International Esports Federation) regional matches

The team consists of:

TitleNameClubNickProvince
Clash RoyaleZaid WilliamsDimension GamingslimzaidyWestern Cape
DotA
Matthew Raubach (Capt.)ZAG AcademybeeGauteng
Callum FosterZAG Academysk3pWestern Cape
Lennard KoekemoerZAG AcademyremedyGauteng
Berend van StadenZAG AcademyBerendGauteng
Suhail KhanZAG AcademySoupGauteng
ManagerJohan van BredaZAG Academy-Gauteng

Additional reading:

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Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Sportsmanship Award - Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships

Irene Banda, of Sunnyridge Primary School in Germiston, is one of the up-and coming stars in South African esports.

A sportsmanship award serves as a testament to the values of fairness, respect, and integrity in sports. It acknowledges athletes who exemplify these qualities and contributes to fostering a positive sporting environment conducive to character development, teamwork, and enjoyment for all involved.

At every event MSSA selects the person who most embodies the concept of sportsmanship. At the end of the year, the Sportsperson of the Year is selected from those who have been selected at official MSSA events.

The Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships held on 24 January 2026 was the first championship held in 2026 to deliver a winner of a Sportsmanship Award and a candidate for the end of year Sportsmanship of the Year Award.

Irene Banda only started competing on a provincial and national championship level in 2025 where Irene won the 2025 Provincial School Online Championship for all provinces, and the 2025 South African National Championships to earn Gauteng Primary School Colours, South African Senior National Colours and South African Primary School National Colours.

In the Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships held on 24 January 2026 Irene convincingly won the female section for the Clash Royale esports title to win both Senior and Primary School Gauteng Provincial Colours. Irene won with both charm and grace, and at not time did she stop smiling....

Therefore Sportsman of the Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships is:

Irene BandaOld Edwardian Mind Sports Club

Additional reading:

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Sunday, 25 January 2026

RESULTS: Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships - 24 January 2026.

Rowell Pillay, who captained the Female Protea Team for the MLBB esports title, again demonstrated her leadership skills.

Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships proved to be a popular event with players participating from seven (7) provinces. MSSA's Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships allowed athletes to play around with perfecting new tactics and strategies leading up to the 2026 team selection.

Athletes are reminded that by finishing in the top 3, or top twenty percent - whichever is greater, at MSSA's Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships, such athletes qualify for selection to the national squad and for the Protea Team.

Of special note, the Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships saw a huge increase in the number of female participation with an increase up to 27% of all participants being women.

Rowell Pillay, also known by her gamer handle “Ketsuka,” is a member of the all-women Protea Esports Team representing South Africa in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) 

Rowell earned the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP) during South Africa’s second match against Mauritius in the MLBB test series held on May 1, 2025, part of a successful campaign that also included a clean sweep of Madagascar and Ghana.

Thus no-one was surprised at her performance in the Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships and led the team to outstanding victories, highlighting her skill in the game.

The winners of the Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships are as follows:

TitleName of player/teamClubColours awarded
Clash Royale - PremierZaid WilliamsDimension Gaming
Clash Royale - FemaleIrene BandaOld Edwardian Mind Sports ClubGauteng Provincial (Senior & Primary)
DotA
Dimension Gaming
Talhah EdriesDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
Nizar EdriesDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
Fritz KonigDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
Ihsaan EdriesDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
Heshaam EdriesDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
MLBB - Premier
Equilbrium Esports
Shaden Dre Shabalala (Capt.)ParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Umer Ali KhanParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Toseef Ali KhanParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Mogamat Junaid IsmailParadoxWestern Cape (Senior)
Slindokuhle NdlovuParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Gideon Pieter Van ZylParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
MLBB - Female
Seraphs
Rowell Pillay (Capt.)ParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Rashmika NanakanParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Ranya SujeeParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Felicia SinghParadoxWestern Cape (Senior)
Shanel ArunachellamParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Amy WilkinsParadoxWestern Cape (Senior)
Kim LuParadoxFree State
StreetFighter 6 - PremierIsmaeel WilliamsDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
Tekken 8 - PremierSilumko MgebisaBattle Arena ProductionsGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Tekken 8 - PremierSydney WoodTeam PlayBellWestern Cape (Senior)
Sportsmanship AwardIrene BandaOld Edwardian Mind Sports Club


Waylander Gaming LIVE streamed MSSA's Northern Cape Online Championships for the MLBB esports title for MSSA on:

https://youtube.com/live/28UrxsQq6ss?feature=share

Additional reading:

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