Why development is so important.

SOWETO's first CounterStrike: GO team - Team Ekasi Esports.

On 31 July 2017 'BusinessTech' published an article on the continued shrinking of South Africa's white population.

Whether the cause is due to migration or just an ageing population, or even both, the stats produced should sound alarm bells or everyone involved in gaming.

The article too mentions that the overall population is growing.

Yet few clubs, clans and teams are truly representative of South Africa's population in a country where whites only make up 8% of the country's total population.

For gaming to survive in South Africa, it therefore becomes absolutely vital that all clubs,  clans, and teams encourage, and foster the growth of gaming, among the majority of South Africans.

Thus initiatives like that of Ekasi Esports becomes even more important.

Without clubs developing throughout South Africa, sponsors will lose interest and even the level of competitiveness is likely to decline.

School league (4 term) - Round pairings for CounterStrike: GO

Mind Sports South Africa's Online School League is now in its second week and offers learners an unique opportunity to earn high school provincial colours for their respective esports games and provinces.

The system uses MSSA's Swiss System which is a robust system and beneficial to both growth and development.

With all the results in for the first round, the pairings are being produced for round 2 in which the winners have been paired off against each other.

There is no doubt that the second round will produce some interesting results.

The 2nd round ends on 4 August 2017.

The pairings for the 2nd round is as follows:

Team name	School	Points		Team name	School	Points
Alerion Gaming	Parklands College	3	vs	Tesseract	Jeppe Boys	3
Pr0NHS	Northcliff High School	3	vs	[PRIDE]	Parktown Boys	3
MC GO1	Maritzburg College	3	vs	PG13	Parklands College	3
District_Zero	Protea Heights Academy	3	vs	EHS CSGO	Empangeni High School	3
WBHS/CS:GOA	Westville Boys	3	vs	GWH CSGO	Glenwood House	0
PG16	Parklands College	0	vs	Semper Fi	Oakhill College	0
Limitless	Hoërskool Wonderboom	0	vs	T.I.O	Oakhill College	0
Northwood CSGO	Northwood High	0	vs	The Nerd Herd	Glenwood House	0
Potchefstroom Gimnasium	Potchefstroom Gimnasium	0	vs	MC GO2	Maritzburg College	0
WBHS/CS:GOB	Westville Boys	0		bye

School league - Round 1 rankings for CounterStrike: GO

Parktown Boys' and Westville Boys' have shown the two largest percentage increases in seeding points earned.

Results for Mind Sports South Africa's Online School League for the week ending 28 July 2017 have produced some interesting results.

The schools that actively participated during the year in MSSA's provincial LAN championships, online provincial championships, and Ladder games are now reaping the benefit of their participation.

With schools participating in more competition games than ever before, it is clear to see that the average standard has improved hand-over-fist.

The improved average standard bodes well for future years as the growth and development at school level will  ultimately strengthen andd improve South Africa's National Protea Esports Team.

None of the esports game title are as hotly contested as is the CounterStrike: GO game title.

It is Mind Sports South Africa's belief that all development starts at school level where, under suitable supervision, the teams can learn to play together and improve the overall standard of play.

The rankings after round one of the league are:

#	Team name	School	Points
1	Alerion Gaming	Parklands College	613.3
2	Pr0NHS	Northcliff High School	295.8
3	MC GO1	Maritzburg College	276.5
4	District_Zero	Protea Heights Academy	241.7
5	Tesseract	Jeppe Boys	167.3
6	[PRIDE]	Parktown Boys	150
7	WBHS/CS:GOA	Westville Boys	150
8	EHS CSGO	Empangeni High School	140
9	PG16	Parklands College	100
10	GWH CSGO	Glenwood House	100
11	Limitless	Hoërskool Wonderboom	100
12	Northwood CSGO	Northwood High	100
13	Potchefstroom Gimnasium	Potchefstroom Gimnasium	100
14	Semper Fi	Oakhill College	100
15	T.I.O	Oakhill College	100
16	The Nerd Herd	Glenwood House	100
17	MC GO2	Maritzburg College	100
18	WBHS/CS:GOB	Westville Boys	80
19	PG13	Parklands College	73

CAeS announces seeding points for Namibian/South African Test Match.

Gordon McCormack and Khahliso Malape.

On Saturday, 29 July 2017 at 14HOO a test match between South Africa (MSSA) and Namibia (NeSA) was played to the esports title of FIFA '17 .

The matches were played between:

Name of Player	Country	VS	Name of Player	Country	Result
Patrick Matjila.	Namibia		Khahliso Malape	South Africa	3 - 0
Gordon McCormack	South Africa		John Walenga	Namibia	0 - 0

The Confederation of African eSports (CAeS) has been quick to produce the seeding points for the four players.

The seeding points earned, from the test match, are:

Name of Player	Year	Country	Points
Patrick Matjila.	17	Namibia	130
Gordon McCormack	17	South Africa	100
John Walenga	17	Namibia	100
Khahliso Malape	17	South Africa	85

School league - Round 1 results for CounterStrike: GO

Protea Heights Academy's CounterStrike: GO team giving it their 'all'.

Results for the week ending 28 July 2017 are streaming in.

None of the esports game title are as hotly contested as is the CounterStrike: GO game title.

It is Mind Sports South Africa's belief that all development starts at school level where, under suitable supervision, the teams can learn to play together and improve the overall standard of play.

It is therefore not surprising to see that the teams that won round one are:

• Northcliff High School,
• Maritzburg College,
• Protea Heights Academy,
• Jeppe High School for Boys,
• Parktown High School for Boys,
• Empangeni High School, and
• Westville Boys' High School

Ekasi Esports takes another leap forward.

From left to right: Nomagugu Ngema, Nonhlanhla Mndebele, Tsholofelo Makhobozi, Sanele Vilakazi, and Sanele Mabele.

When Gabriel Ramokotjo, Mpho Tladi, and Smilo Katlegob Gosa founded Ekasi Esports their true colours shone through. Right from the beginning, the three were not afraid of taking chances.

The three founded the first official esports club in SOWETO, affiliated to the MSSA, and were the first to create the first all Sowetan CounterStrike: GO team.

Yet their ambition, competitiveness, and passion does not end there. The three founders of Ekasi Esports are determined to make SOWETO the centre of South African gaming.

Through great dedication the three founders, aided by Tsholofelo Makhobozi, have put hours of work into creating SOWETO's first female CounterStrike: GO team.
The ever affable Tsholofelo Makhobozi, upon breaking the news of her team stated, "This is when the work begins".

For Tsholofelo Makhobozi, the team is not there to 'just take part', as Tsholofelo believes that the team has the spirit and character of champions.
Tsholofelo is determined to develop the team to a standard that they can represent South Africa.

However, Tsholofelo realises that there is still a way to go, but as Tsholofelo says, "It may be  hard, but we'll  get there!".

Namibia vs South Africa in FIFA '17 esports test match.

Khahliso Malape (Fakkel School) and Gordon McCormack (JCS Academy)

South Africa takes on Namibia in an exciting online international test match in the esports title of FIFA '17 on Saturday, 29 July 2017 at 14HOO.

So far South Africa has an unbeaten record against Namibia. However Namibia, over the years, has been at pains to improve their standard in order to successfully challenge South Africa.

Nevertheless, MSSA (South Africa's official national federation for esports) is confident that South Africa's system of Regional, Provincial, and National Championships has put its players in good stead to fend off  any such challenge.

Thus MSSA has chosen its team to officially represent South Africa, being:

• Khahliso Malape (Fakkel School), and 
• Gordon McCormack (JCS Academy). 

Both players reside in Sasolburg in the Free State.

Khaliso Malape has already racked up a number of sterling achievements having won the 2016 SA National Championships, and tied for first place with Gordon McCormack at the 2017 Free State Championships.

Namibia has selected their two top players (Patrick Matjila, and John Walenga) who will  no doubt represent Namibia with as much pride as what Khahliso Malape and Gordon McCormack will do for South Africa.

The South African Team shall play from the 'King's Tavern', at the Old Edwardian Society. The players  shall be awarded their National Federation Colours immediately prior to the CAeS accredited test match and then shall commence play at 14H00. 

The match shall be filmed and shown on MSSA's channel on TULUNTULU.

Namibia vs South Africa in FIFA '17 esports test match.

Khahliso Malape (Fakkel School) and Gordon McCormack (JCS Academy)

South Africa takes on Namibia in an exciting online international test match in the esports title of FIFA '17 on Saturday, 29 July 2017 at 14HOO.

So far South Africa has an unbeaten record against Namibia. However Namibia, over the years, has been at pains to improve their standard in order to successfully challenge South Africa.

Nevertheless, MSSA (South Africa's official national federation for esports) is confident that South Africa's system of Regional, Provincial, and National Championships has put its players in good stead to fend off  any such challenge.

Thus MSSA has chosen its team to officially represent South Africa, being:

• Khahliso Malape (Fakkel School), and 
• Gordon McCormack (JCS Academy). 

Both players reside in Sasolburg in the Free State.

Khaliso Malape has already racked up a number of sterling achievements having won the 2016 SA National Championships, and tied for first place with Gordon McCormack at the 2017 Free State Championships.

Namibia has selected their two top players (Patrick Matjila, and John Walenga) who will  no doubt represent Namibia with as much pride as what Khahliso Malape and Gordon McCormack will do for South Africa.

The South African Team shall play from the 'King's Tavern', at the Old Edwardian Society. The players  shall be awarded their National Federation Colours immediately prior to the CAeS accredited test match and then shall commence play at 14H00. 

The match shall be filmed and shown on MSSA's channel on TULUNTULU.

2017 On-line Championships for HearthStone, and StarCraft II - 12 August 2017

Blue Dragon - dominating the South African StarCraft II scene.

The MSSA is proud to announce that the 2017 On-line Championships for HearthStone, and StarCraft II will be held on 12 August 2017.

The online championships for StarCraft II has run since 2011 whereas HearthStone was only run by MSSA from 2014.

The championship may be used by gamers to qualify for eligibility to compete in the 2018 National Team Trials should the MSSA need to choose a team for any of the above-named titles.

Tournament Structure:

As per the MSSA's rules, being:

• If less than six players, the championship shall be a Round Robin Championship
• If 6 to 10 players the championship shall be four rounds as played to the Swiss System
• If 11 to 30 players the championship shall be five rounds as played to the Swiss System

Eligibility:

• Any player/team who is a Registered Player affiliated to a MSSA member club may enter.

Entry fee:

• Entry is free to all full-paid-up Registered Players.
• Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.

Entry date:

• Entries need to be submitted by no later than Thursday, 10 August 2017.

Registration:

• To register, clubs must complete the Google Page allocated to the club.

Medals:

Medals shall be awarded to the first three gamers for both men and women in the following categories:

• PREMIER: The top three places (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd).
• UNIVERSITY:Medals shall be awarded to gamers the first three gamers that have not won a Premier medal and who are students currently registered at any officially recognised University.
• SCHOLARS: Medals shall be awarded to the first three learners currently registered at any officially recognised school, or home schooled, provided they have not received any Premier medals. 

Colours:

• Protea Colours: Only Players that are selected to represent South Africa in International Championships may earn National Colours if the Protea Colours Board's criteria are met.
• National Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a National Championship will earn National Colours.
• Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a Provincial Championship, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn Provincial Colours.

When and Where:

• 12 August 2017

• The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round. 
• Players must all be on-line at 9H00.

The championship is accredited as being of the same status as a provincial championship. This means that the championship shall be used for the following:

• The awarding of provincial colours;
• The awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in Premier, Under 24, and School categories;
• The ability to qualify for National Team Trials. 

As usual Trials shall be done at a LAN venue, and the team that can best represent South Africa shall then be selected.
Shout casting:

• The MSSA shall decide who may shout-cast the games.
• Anybody wishing to be appointed as a Shout-Caster must apply in writing to ryanboyes03@gmail.com 

I-Village Schools Digital Skills Workshop - a huge success.

I-Village digital skills workshop, hosted at Emadwaneli Secondary School on the 26th of July 2017 was a huge success.

The school proved to be a more than able host and had not only an enthusiastic and learned educator but also an attentive and eager-to-learn audience.

The objective of the workshop was to raise awareness on the digital career opportunities, understanding that more jobs today requires a level of adequate understanding of digital skills and further to ensure that our youth participate in the digital economy. The workshop was conducted in collaboration with Emadwaneli Secondary School, The National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (Nemisa), Mind Sport South Africa (MSSA) and Acer South Africa.

The workshop began with the presentation of Build Your Own Cloud (BYOC) from ACER. Such presentation captured the imagination of all the learners present and a lively debate followed.

The Creative New Media Industries, and MSSA's presentations were also well received.

Ekasi Esports' presentation on gaming too captured the minds of all those present. The learners were excited to learn of the development of gaming in South Africa.

Soweto TV was also there to film the entire workshop.

It is seen that this workshop will be the first of many in which, according to Mr Mpho Tladi - Business Development Manager at I-Village, our youth will become active participants in the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Round 1 of the 4 term school CounterStrike: GO league.

The league is an awesome opportunity for scholars to earn high school provincial colours for their respective games and provinces.

The system uses MSSA's Swiss System which is a robust system and beneficial to both growth and development.
Not only are the players able to earn High School Colours, but by participating, the teams also earn seeding points that will rank the teams in terms of overall strength. Such rankings will too increase the competitiveness of the teams that participate in competitive play. 

Details of the four term schools' school league are - 

1st round - week ending 28 July 2017
2nd round - week ending 4 August 2017
3rd round - week ending 11 August 2017
4th round - week ending 18 August 2017
5th round - week ending 25 August 2017

The teams that will be engaging in 'battle' in the first round of the league in the CounterStrike: GO esports title are:

Team Name	School	VS	Team Name	School
Alerion Gaming	Parklands College		GWH CSGO	Glenwood House
Pr0NHS	Northcliff High School		Limitless	Hoërskool Wonderboom
MC GO1	Maritzburg College		Northwood CSGO	Northwood High
District_Zero	Protea Heights Academy		Potchefstroom Gimnasium	Potchefstroom Gimnasium
Tesseract	Jeppe Boys		Semper Fi	Oakhill College
[PRIDE]	Parktown Boys		T.I.O	Oakhill College
PG13	Parklands College		The Nerd Herd	Glenwood House
PG16	Parklands College		WBHS/CS:GOA	Westville Boys
EHS CSGO	Empangeni High School		WBHS/CS:GOB	Westville Boys