SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS - 25 & 26 JULY 2015

Elishia Retief - SA National Champion for Ancients wargaming

The MSSA's SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS shall be hosted by the Old Edwardian Society, 11 Ninth Avenue, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg on 25 & 26 JULY 2015.

The championships shall start on both days at 9H00. The following periods are to be played should sufficient entries be received.

Period	Defending champions	Rules that can be chosen	Starting times
			Saturday	Sunday
Ancients wargaming	Jason Batzofin (male) Elishia Retief (female)	DBM 3.2	9H00	9H00
Checkers		WCDF	9H00
Morabaraba	Merlin Love	GAR	9H00

In keeping with Mind Sports South Africa's policies all entries are free and gratis to ANY players who enter and who are currently registered as learners.

Entries must be submitted by 20 July 2015.

All gamers are reminded that medals will be awarded in the following categories:

• High School: For 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd for both females and males, and
  
• Primary School: For 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd for both females and males.

Colours shall be awarded as follows:

• High School National Colours: For the gamers who win all there games against all players in their category, and
  
• High School Provincial Colours: For the gamers who finished in the top 50% at the SA Schools Championships, and who have also finished in the top 50% in any other MSSA Provincial Championship in 2015.
  
• Primary School National Colours: For the gamers who win all there games against all players in their category, and
  
• Primary School Provincial Colours: For the gamers who finished in the top 50% at the SA Schools Championships, and who have also finished in the top 50% in any other MSSA Provincial Championship in 2015.

Late entries will be accepted on a first come - first served basis depending on the availability of space and tables.

Entries are to be submitted to: Colin Webster at mindsportssa@iafrica.com

MSSA announces pairings for Round 4 of the MWEB inter-school league

The MSSA has announced the pairings for Round 4 of the MWEB inter-school league, being:

ROUND 4 FIXTURES - 24 JULY 2015

DotA 2 St Alban's College (MIDAS) vs Northcliff High School (Pr0NHS)
DotA 2 Helpmekaar (Tannie Nora) vs Fairmont High School (1st Team)
DotA 2 Martizburg College vs Fish Hoek High School
DotA 2 Oakhill School (Mr Project) vs Sacred Heart (Sacred Heart 2)
DotA 2 Roedean School vs Fairmont High School (3rd Team)
DotA 2 HTS Witbank (HTS 1) vs Hyde Park High School
DotA 2 Rondebosch Boys High vs Parklands College (Parklands College B)
DotA 2 King David High School vs Fairmont High School (2nd Team)
DotA 2 HTS Witbank (HTS 3) vs HTS Witbank (HTS 2)
DotA 2 St John's College (SJC DotA Society) vs Sacred Heart (Sacred Heart 1)
DotA 2 Oakhill School (Oakhill) vs Parklands College (Parklands College A)

CS GO Fairmont High School (1st Team) vs King David High School (LHG1)
CS GO Northcliff High School (Pr0NHS) vs Hyde Park High School
CS GO Helpmekaar College (Nemesis) vs BYE
CS GO St John's College (SJC Secrecy) vs St Alban's College (OU812_WEH)
CS GO Saheti (Spartans) vs Helpmekaar College (EyEZ)
CS GO St John's College (SJC SPEARR) vs St John's College (SJC Underdogs)
CS GO HTS Witbank (HTS) vs Fairmont High School (2nd Team)
CS GO Rondebosch Boys High vs Parklands College (PG18)
MAP De_Inferno

Starcraft Midstream College (Daniel Froneman) vs Northcliff High School (James Lu)
Starcraft HTS Witbank (Dana Coleman) vs Northcliff High School (Hasam Hameed)
Starcraft HTS Witbank (Beyers Naude) vs St John's College (Stephen Hunt)
Starcraft Maritzburg College (Zack Handley) vs Saheti (Gabriela Isaacs)
MAP King Sejong Station

Tekken HTS Witbank (Herman Pretorius) vs HTS Witbank (Filipe Batista)
Tekken HTS Witbank (Eben Coetzer) vs HTS Witbank (Celine Stapleberg)
Tekken HTS Witbank (Nadine Swart) vs HTS Witbank (Celeste Naude)
Tekken HTS Witbank (Martin van Niekerk) vs HTS Witbank (Thapelo Phahlamohlaka)
Tekken HTS Witbank (Johnie van der Spuy) vs HTS Witbank (Sune van der Merwe)

FIFA XBox HTS Witbank (Bonga Zwane) vs HTS Witbank (Samuel Mphasa)
FIFA XBox HTS Witbank (Kyle Turnbull) vs Fairmont High School (Andrew Reeve)
FIFA XBox HTS Witbank (Abram Mashoa) vs HTS Witbank (Sifiso Nkosi)

Hearthstone HTS Witbank (HTS 1) vs Parklands College (Jonathan Hu)
Hearthstone Maritzburg College (Matthew Hoyle) vs Parklands College (Connar Swart)
Hearthstone Maritzburg College (Chay Barthuse) vs Martizburg College (Sanele Mntungwa)
Hearthstone Martitzburg College (Taine Wirth) vs BYE
Hearthstone Parklands College (Ashley Minshall) vs Parklands College (Dylan Rees)

Jason retains his world title!

Jason Batzofin, a learner at St John's College, resident in Observatory,fought hard at the IWF's 18th World Individual Championships held at the Lugogo Sun, Swaziland on 20 and 21 June 2015 to retain his title in the Ancients Wargames period.

Wargames is a game much like three dimensional chess wherein players use representations of historical armies to determine which player has the greater tactical abilities. Older players who did officer training would remember the game as a 'TEWT' (Tactical Exercise Without Troops) and such training has been used by the military since 1820.

Jason ended the 2014 wargaming year well in December by winning the South African National Championships which were held at Tuks University. However, his results have been erratic in the wargames discipline since January 2015, although Jason did still win the Gauteng Schools Championships and the Johannesburg Regional Championships. Jason too finished in tie second place at the 2015 MWEB Mpumulanga Provincial Championships.

After what Jason considered to be an unsatisfactory Mpumulanga Championships, Jason relooked at his strategies and army choice.

Thus Jason went into the 2015 World Championships held at the Lugogo Sun, Swaziland, a leaner, meaner fighting machine.

The effort that Jason put in paid dividends as he captured the title of Junior World Champion, which he has now won for two consecutive years.

Although Jason is convinced that he can win the title again in 2016, Jason now has his eyes set on the senior title....

Colin Webster defends his title once again!

Having won the international Wargames world cup senior title last year, Colin fought for it again at the 2015 Worlds held in Swaziland. After a close game against his former army the Palmyrians and an even closer game against the European Bronze Age, Colin managed to keep his title.

Colin refused to let his hopes slip or let thoughts of defeat enter his head with one bound remaining and still several elements to kill, he managed to successfully crush his enemy in the last bound. Much to the frustration of his opponent this allowed Colin the win the title.

Once again Colin Webster has shown his experience and perseverance. He was gracious in victory and overcame all obstacles to ensure that he won. With the competition breathing down Colin's neck, will Colin be able to keep his title next year in the 2016 International World Cup. Only time will tell...

~Jay

Elishia dominates again!

Elishia Retief, has consistently demonstrated her tactical abilities in the tactical game of 'Ancients Wargames' throughout the year.

Wargames is a game much like three dimensional chess wherein players use representations of historical armies to determine which player has the greater tactical abilities. Older players who did officer training would remember the game as a 'TEWT' (Tactical Exercise Without Troops) and such training has been used by the military since 1820.

Thus with Elishia having won every single Female title in South Africa since 2014, as well as the 2014 Female World Championship Title, it is no surprise to see Elishia once again, and rightfully so, take her place in the 2015 MWEB Protea Squad.

At the 2015 World Championships held at the Lugogo Sun, Swaziland, Elishia ripped her opponents apart. As she demolished her opponents, she further entrenched herself as the top female wargames player in the world in order to retain her title.

Elishia Retief has now won the title for two consecutive years.

We all watch and wait, will Elishia be able to win again in 2016?

Elishia Retief with the trophy

Lubabalo co-winner at checkers event in Missouri, USA

Lubabalo Kondlo proudly displaying his re-award of Eastern Cape Provincial Colours.

On 19 to 21 June 2015, Lubabalo Kondlo played in the Missouri tournament.

It was great that US supporters helped to donate for his travel so that Lubabalo could attend.

It's an interesting tournament format that is half three-move restriction and half 11-man ballot (four rounds of each).

Alex Moiseyev (fondly remembered by Thabo Mokoena and Rhonnie Manana) also participated..

There was a Grand Total Cash Prize Fund $8,860.00

MASTERS: Final Positions: 8 rounds | 4rds of 3-Move and 4rds of 11-Man, playing 3 rounds Friday, 3 rounds Saturday & 2 rounds Sunday with a Total of $6,615.00 Cash Prize Fund for the Masters Division.

Alex Moiseyev and Lubabalo Kondlo ended up as co-Champions for 1st Place, splitting 1st place cash $1,700 + 2nd place cash $1,100 as $1,400.00 each - Alex Moiseyev & 

3. Jim Morrison – Glasgow, KY 20 $900.00

Without the MSSA

There are many films that deal with the ubiquitous 'what if ' situations of what would have been if a person had never been born.

But, what about the 'what if' the MSSA had never been constituted.

Well let us see....

Back in the 1980's without the MSSA (then known as the South African Wargames Union), gaming (then mainly board and figure gaming) would have been relegated to yet another pastime as the Springbok Colours Board and COSAS (the Confederation of South African Sport) would have only applied their minds to the physical sports.

Yes, not even chess was considered to be a sport in those dark days. Those in power had a firm idea of what constituted a sport and what did not...

Thus without the existence of the MSSA banging on doors, there is no doubt that nothing would have changed in the 1980's. 

That would have indeed impacted on the 1990's.

It was in 1991 that the MSSA was adopted into membership of NOCSA and COSAS. As a result of this membership, the roadwas paved for accreditation of gaming as a full sport and membership of the South African Sports Commission (SASC) and even as a founder member of SASCOC.

Without the MSSA, Springbok Colours would not have been awarded to gamers in 1991.

It is almost hard to believe that the MSSA had Springbok Colours awarded to its teams before even chess received the right.Well do I remember the looks on the faces of the 1991 Chess Team when they saw that the MSSA's team had such Springbok Colours.

Thus there was an almost seamless transition between the award of Springbok Colours to that of Protea Colours in 1994. However, without the MSSA, that would not have been done.

So, without the MSSA, there is no doubt in my mind that all of gaming would have remained in the doldrums.

With the advent of computer gaming, there is no doubt either in my mind that without the MSSA, there would certainly not be any form of official gaming scene.

Without the MSSA there probably would not even be the DGL Gaming League.

Very few gamers today are even aware that the MSSA was the first to establish a gaming league in 2005. The league was of course administered by the MSSA's eSports Board of Control under the chairmanship of Johann von Backström. The league was discontinued in 2009 due to issues surrounding unsavoury behaviour by some of the participating teams.
Johann von Backström convinced TELKOM to continue with the league in 2009.

However, without the existence of the MSSA, the league would never have started, and certyainly, there is no doubt in my mind that TELKOM would never have continued with the league.

Not only that, without the MSSA, there would have been no offocial body that would have negotiated deferred exams for at least 12 gamers to enable such gamers to participate in overseas events.

Not only that, but over 100 gamers would have been denied the opportunity of receiving national colours and over a further 50 gamers would have been denied Protea Colours.

In short gaming would have been a mess where there would have been no real benefit to anyone.

Even those who are antagonistic towards the MSSA cannot deny that much of what they have done is built on the foundations of the MSSA.

Whether their feelings towards the MSSA has inspired them to greater heights, or whether it has created articles which has attracted readers to their blogs, the MSSA has had the greatest impact on South African gaming than any other organization.

Thus without doubt, without the MSSA, gaming in South Africa would have stagnated. It is only through the MSSA (currently sponsored y MWEB) that national teams have competed on a regular basis in international competition.

We all have much for which we must thank the MSSA!

MSSA's CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:

David Hlophe (World Champion in 2000 and 2001) flanked by Simon Skhosana (World Champion  - 2002))

Through promoting the above-mentioned games, the MSSA has seen a marked improvement in the way in which the players see themselves. By having awarded National Colours, we have taken a positive step in enabling the human potential of South Africans.

In 2002 we had the pleasure to witness David Hlophe receive the President's Award (Silver Class) from The South African President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, at the President's residence in Cape Town.

Through our policy of starting clubs at schools and universities, the MSSA has been able to assist financially disadvantaged players to study further. There is no doubt whatsoever that the mind-sports that we promote encourage a culture of learning among our players.

The culture of learning is borne out by the fact that 92% of all our players who are scholars intend to attend a tertiary level education institution, and that 89% of our players who have matriculated since 1994 have enrolled at such type of educational institution.

It goes without saying that Mind Sports South Africa aims at becoming demographically representative.

THE MSSA’S VISION FOR eSPORTS:

Protea Colours badge

From the day that the MSSA was founded (1984), the MSSA has had to fight to have the games that the MSSA promotes to be recognised to be accredited as equals to any of the other sports that exist in South Africa.

The breakthrough happened in 1991 when the MSSA was allowed to award Protea Colours to its wargames team. In 1997, the MSSA awarded Protea Colours to its Morabaraba team, and in 2001 the MSSA was allowed to award Protea Colours to the players who represented South Africa for Checkers.

However, it was not until 2005 that the MSSA was granted permission by the Protea Colours Board for Computer Gaming.

It should be noted that the Protea Colours awarded are the same as awarded to cricket, rugby, swimming, etc.

Even though the mere act of awarding colours is laudable in itself, in that players who receive such colours are enable to apply for, and receive, bursaries at universities, the MSSA’s vision does not end there.

To ensure that eSports are regarded as a fully accredited sport, the MSSA runs inter-school leagues, school championships, regional championships, provincial championships and national championships.

The MSSA is a member of the International eSports Federation (IeSF). In 2010, the MSSA help found the IeDF (the international federation for gamers with disabilities) which is now  known as the IeSF. Through such affiliation the groundwork has been done to have eSports established and accredited as an international sport by the General Assembly of International Sport Federations (GAISF) which is now known as SportsAccord. When the GAISF accepts eSports as an international Sport, a whole new era will be ushered in as the games will be allowed to participate in the International Mind Sports Association’s Games, and be included in the All Africa Games, the Commonwealth Games, and possibly even in the Olympic Games. 

Comment is required

All South Africans should take notice of the following:

 National Sport and Recreation Draft Amendment Bill, 2016; South African Institute for Drug Free Sport Amendment Bill, 2017; South African Combat Sport Bill, 2017; Fitness Industry Regulatory Bill, 2017

Comment expires on 2015-07-30

2015-04-24

Sport and Recreation

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The Department of Sport and Recreation invites you to submit written comments on the following draft Bills;

National Sport and Recreation Draft Amendment Bill, 2016

The seeks to amend the National Sport and Recreation Act, 1998 so as to:
▪ amend, insert and delete certain definitions;
▪ provide for policy framework with regard to the promotion and development of sport and recreation;
▪ provide for the establishment of commissions;
▪ allow for the development of sport and the intervention of Sport and Recreation South Africa in sport matters at school level;
▪ develop policy framework for talent identification and development programme;
▪ establish a Sport Arbitration Tribunal to resolve disputes in sport or recreation bodies;
▪ provide for offences and penalties.
 

South African Institute for Drug Free Sport Amendment Bill, 2017

The Bill seeks amend the South African - Institute For Drug - Free Sport Act 14 of 1997, so as to:
▪ insert new definitions;
▪ provide for an inquiry with regard to the removal of a member of Institute from office and for the resignation of a member;
▪ make provisions for a resolution of the National Assembly calling for the removal of a member of Institute or for the dissolution of the Institute;
▪ provide for the appointment of interim members of the Institute;
▪ provide for the consent in random testing of learners in schools that participate in sport.
 

South African Combat Sport Bill, 2017

The Bill seeks to provide for the administration, governance and regulation of combat sport in the Republic;
▪ establish a Combat Sport Regulatory Authority to oversee combat sport;
▪ make provision for the establishment and constitution of a Council and the appointment of its councilors to implement the oversight function of the Authority;
▪ provide for the establishment of Committees to assist the Council;
▪ make provision for appeals against decisions in combat sport;
▪ provide for the appointment of inspectors and their powers to monitor combat sport and investigate complaints.
 

Fitness Industry Regulatory Bill, 2017

The Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of Fitness Industry Regulatory Authority, the establishment of a Council and the appointment of councilors;
▪ provide for the registration of fitness controlling bodies, fitness professionals and the accreditation of fitness establishments in the Republic;
▪ provide for disciplinary action against fitness professionals, owners or managers;
▪ provide for the maintenance and upkeep of a register of registered fitness controlling bodies, fitness professionals and accredited fitness establishments;
▪ provide for the constitutions and powers of fitness controlling bodies; to provide for the offences.
 

Comments can be emailed to Adv Nkosana Mehlomakulu at nkosana@srsa.gov.za or legalservices@srsa.gov.za and Mr Gideon Boshoff at Gideon@srsa.gov.za by no later than Thursday, 30 July 2015.

It should be noted that the National Sport and Recreation Bill is without doubt, in my opinion, one of the worst pieces of legislation ever written. The Bill, if passed will criminalize many who are involved in sport if they do not comply with the Minister. How this Bill passed by the government's counsel escapes me. However, we can all be confident that the best legal minds in the MSSA will comment.

Front page coverage of the 2015 MSSA MWEB Team eSports South Africa

Cosmos Gazette

The MSSA makes every effort to get as much media coverage for its events, teams and members.

This is borne out by volumes of newspaper cutting collected over the years.

But why go for newspapers - hasn't the digital media killed the print media?

Well, the answer is no, digital has not killed the print media, and in some places, print media is as strong as it ever was.

Print media also reaches an audience that digital media does not reach.

So, the MSSA will continue to advertise its events, its MWEB teams, etc. in  the print media.

Old Brown Sherry Draughts League - Zone 6 "Kings"

Both phase1 and 2 is now finished.

Zone 6 was very ably managed by Muso Hlatshwayo who ran no less than competitions at 13 taverns.

With R175,000.00 in prize money, with R50,000.00 for first place, spirits are high as players battle it out to become the overall winner of the league.

The winners from the Taverns are:

Xolile Mogwazi
Buzisile Mngeni
Fuzile Kana
Mtituzeli Qabaka
Nicolas Janse van Rensburg
Lwazi Kameni
Nkululeko Tini
Phelelani Lento
Zukile Jack
Mbuyiseli Nkomo
Zamile Focha
Thembelani Dimise
Aphiwe Qamlana

Egogweni King - Mtutuzeli Qabaka

Juice's King - Nkululeko Tini

Kwamphuthumi King - Phelelani Lento

Lungi's King - Zamile Foca

Magaba's King - Xolile Noqgwazi

Maka's King - Mbuyiselo Nkomo

Mamiy's King - Buzisile Mngeni

New Looks King - Zukile Jack

Thabo's King - Fuzile Kana

Vusiw's King - Thembelani Dinise

Zama's King - Aphiwe Gqamlana

Zapata's King - Nicolas Janse Van Rensburg

Zuki's King - Lwazi Kameni

Old Brown Sherry Draughts League - Zone 7 "Kings".

Both phase1 and 2 is now finished.

Zone 7 was very ably managed by Luyolo Magungelelo who ran no less than competitions at 10 taverns.

With R175,000.00 in prize money, with R50,000.00 for first place, spirits are high as players battle it out to become the overall winner of the league.

The winners from the Taverns are:

Luphumalo Pati
Sakhumzi Moagi
Winile Matiwane
Siyabonga Xolo
Bongani Nooti
Simtembile Mazbhisi
Asanda Matdshile
Austin Mangaliso
Vukile Tsolo

Results: MSSA's MWEB 2015 Mpumalanga LAN Championships - 23 & 24 May 2015

Once again HTS Witbank hosted the MSSA's MWEB Mpumalanga Championships. Even though there was a problem with the venue, the club still did a sterling job by hosting the event at the BNKR Gaming Lounge, cnr of Duncan and Mandela Streets, Witbank. 

Again, the Mpumulanga championships showed a net increase in the number of gamers. However the growth in the number of gamers at the championships would not have been possible without the herculean efforts of Morizane Boyes, and Louis Brown.

The support being given by the schools is proving to be the back-bone of the MSSA  and is the most important part of the MSSA's development programmes.

The support given by MWEB again proved to be invaluable to the MSSA, and as a result of such support members were able to enjoy the benefits of participating in an official LAN championship. It is through the official championships that gamers are able to qualify for colours and for national team trials. In other words, the official championships form part of a year year  long qualification process for gamers to  prove their worth in order to be selected to finally, and officially, represent South Africa in international competition.

Whereas in 2014 there were six member clubs from two provinces which contested the championships, in 2015, it was most pleasing to see eleven clubs from two different provinces contesting the championships.

At the championships, the Tuks Mindsport Club again dominated the League of Legends and Dota 2 events. An old favourite Baber Abbass dominated the console fighting game titles of Tekken and USF4.

Special mention must be made of Kyle Turnbull. Kyle went on to further cement his dominance in the game of FIFA '15© by trouncing all opponents at the Mpumalanga Championships by once again winning all of his games at the Provincial Championships to again automatically earn himself Provincial Colours.

The winners of the different titles are:

BOARD GAMES 

Morabaraba

Female – Premier				Male – Premier
Pos	Team	Club		Pos	Team	Club
1	Moshego Molemane	HTS Witbank		1	Johannes Makoua	All Stars

eSPORTS 

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Male - PS4
Pos	Team	Club
1	Pr0NHS	NCLF

Male – XBOX
Pos	Team	Club
1	Apex Gaming SA	BNKR

COUNTERSTRIKE GO

Male – Premier
Pos	Team	Club
1	Team Delta Gaming	All Stars

Dota 2

Male – Premier
Pos	Team	Club
1	5 Randoms	Tuks Mindsport Club

Male – Schools
Pos	Team	Club
1	PR0NHS	Northcliff High School

FIFA '15

Male – PS3				Female – PS3
Pos	Player	Club		Pos	Player	Club
1	Kyle Turnbull	HTS		1	Joline Pico	HTS

Hearthstone

Male
Pos	Player	Club
1	Francois Mouton	TUKS

League of legends

Male				Female
Pos	Team	Club		Pos	Team	Club
1	TMSC 1st team	TUKS		1	TMSC 2nd Team	TUKS

OSU

Female – Premier				Male – Premier
Pos	Team	Club		Pos	Team	Club
1	Lucille Brown	HGH		1	Lejend Muir	All Stars

StarCraft 2

Female – Premier				Male – Premier
Pos	Team	Club		Pos	Team	Club
1	Dana Coleman	HTS Witbank		1	Rowan Hammond	TUKS

Tekken Tag Tournament 2

Female – Premier				Male – Premier
Pos	Team	Club		Pos	Team	Club
1	Morizane Boyes	HTS Witbank		1	Baber Abbas	Tekken Arena

Male – Premier

Pos	Team	Club
1	Herman Pretorius	HTS Witbank

Ultimate Street Fighter 4

Male
Pos	Player	Club
1	Baber Abbas	Tekken Arena

Male - High School
Pos	Player	Club
1	Filipe Baptista	HTS Witbank

FIGURE GAMES 

Ancients

Female – Premier				Male – Premier
Pos	Team	Club		Pos	Team	Club
1	Elisha Retief	Old Edwardian WC		1	Erasmus Burger	TUKS

In total, 41 gamers earned the right to wear Provincial Colours. A further 17 students were awarded Student provincial Colours and 10 learners were awarded High School Provincial Colours.

The MWEB championships too saw a total of 95 gamers qualify for National Team Trials. With so many gamers qualifying for trials, there is no doubt that the MSSA will have sufficient teams in order to select teams to represent South Africa.

Photographs can be found on https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153829913459008.1073741907.146018324007&type=3