Wednesday, 28 June 2023

The poisoned tree.

When setting up an organization, care must be taken from the start to ensure that proper procedure and transparency is in place.

The concept of a "poison tree" when constituting a new organization refers to the idea that if a foundational element or principle of an organization is flawed or corrupt, it can have negative consequences that permeate throughout the entire organization. This concept is often used to emphasize the importance of establishing a solid and ethical foundation when building a new organization.

Just as a poisonous tree can contaminate the soil and affect the health of the entire tree, a flawed or unethical principle within an organization can spread and negatively impact various aspects of its operations. This can include detrimental effects on the organizational culture, employee morale, decision-making processes, relationships with stakeholders, and overall effectiveness and success.

Therefore, it is crucial for those involved in constituting a new organization to carefully consider and establish core values, principles, and practices that promote integrity, transparency, fairness, and ethical conduct. By ensuring a strong and positive foundation, organizations can increase the likelihood of long-term success, sustainability, and positive impact in their respective industries or communities.

Examples of actions that can contribute to a poison tree scenario in a new organization include:

  1. Lack of ethical guidelines: Failing to establish clear ethical guidelines and principles can lead to unethical behavior among employees, potentially resulting in corruption, conflicts of interest, or disregard for laws and regulations.


  2. Toxic leadership: Allowing toxic or unethical individuals to hold leadership positions can set a negative tone for the organization, resulting in a toxic work environment, high turnover rates, and damage to the organization's reputation.


  3. Poor governance and accountability: Inadequate systems for governance, oversight, and accountability can create an environment where dishonesty, fraud, or misuse of resources can occur without consequences, undermining the organization's credibility and sustainability.


  4. Discrimination and bias: Ignoring or tolerating discrimination, bias, or unequal treatment within the organization can foster a toxic culture, demoralize employees, and hinder the organization's ability to attract and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.

To prevent the poison tree scenario, it is important to:

  • establish a strong ethical framework, prioritize transparency and accountability,
  • promote a positive organizational culture, and
  • carefully consider the values and principles that will guide the organization's operations from its inception.
This foundation will help to ensure the organization's long-term success, positive impact, and sustainability.

Sunday, 25 June 2023

African Confederation of Digital Sports (ACDS) throws spectacular Welcome Dinner.

MSSA President, Colin Webster (centre), flanked by South Sudan's esports supremo, Tong Anei, and Cameroonian esports supremo, Maire d'Eseka.

With most of the delegates for the formation of African Confederation of Digital Sports (ACDS) now present, ACDS threw a spectacular welcome dinner at Hyatt Regency, Casablanca.

The tables groaned heavily under the hotel's culinary expertise of both exotic and traditional sustenance.

There is nothing better than good food and good company as all of Africa's esports leaders chatted deep into the night about the vision and future of esports on the titanic continent of Africa.

The efforts of Soufiane el Filali, and his dutiful and hardworking team, are already bearing fruit as the camaraderie of the delegates has transcended that of mere delegates to be one of a close-knit family in which every delegate is utterly committed to see the success of this new venture.

ACDS is aimed at fostering and advancing the digital sports ecosystem in Africa with having the objective of uniting the national governing bodies for digital sports from every African country. ACDS aims to create a robust working and sports-oriented environment that engages stakeholders in the video gaming industry, including governments, companies, associations, and athletes. It is hoped that with all African National Federations working together, a sustainable ecosystem for digital sports and video gaming will be built in Africa.

Also read:

Saturday, 24 June 2023

Chaos at O R Tambo airport.

Chaos at O R Tambo airport made worse by unempathetic civil servants.

International air travel is stressful at the best of times, however on Friday, 23 June 2023, the stress levels became worse than ever.

Hundreds of passengers had to deal with a custom's system that was off-line, and coupled with only a fraction of the booths being open, and the usual attitude of indifference exhibited by the customs officers, the act of departing South Africa became most frustrating.

On getting through customs, after waiting over 2 hours in line, I went to seek out the manager in charge, to find a gaggle of three officers sitting in the office watching the complete and utter mayhem. Having all ideas proposed for alleviating the mess shot down, I left in disgust.

It is utterly inconceivable that SA Customs does not have a viable plan 'B'.

Many tourists stated that having experienced both loadshedding and the dismal customs at O R Tambo that they would never return to South Africa.

While it may not seem a lot, people talk, and such disgruntled tourists may persuade many friends and family from also visiting South Africa.

Then there is also the additional costs incurred by people who missed their flights as a result of such chaos.

It is as though SA's customs officials do not seem to realise, or care, that they are the face of the nation...

Formation of African Confederation of Digital Sports (ACDS).

Hyatt Regency in Casablanca plays host to the formation of African Confederation of Digital Sports (ACDS).

The week of 25 June 2023 will see the establishment of the African Confederation of Digital Sports (ACDS) in Casablanca, Morocco.

Delegates will be flying in from all over Africa and will include a delegate from Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) in the form of MSSA President, Colin Webster, Webster, who is a past president of International Esports Federation (IESF) and Confederation of African Esports (CAES), as well as a current Commission Member of Global Esports Federation (GEF) is upbeat about the creation of the ACDS.

ACDS is aimed at fostering and advancing the digital sports ecosystem in Africa with having the objective of uniting the national governing bodies for digital sports from every African country. ACDS aims to create a robust working and sports-oriented environment that engages stakeholders in the video gaming industry, including governments, companies, associations, and athletes. It is hoped that with all African National Federations working together, a sustainable ecosystem for digital sports and video gaming will be built in Africa.

Monday, 19 June 2023

2023 S A National Online School Championships is open to all learners.

MSSA has a strong belief that the development of esports at school level is vital in order to improve the overall standard of the sport.

Mind Sports South Africa is to hold its popular annual 
S A National Online School Championships for esports on 24 June 2023.

An important feature of this championship, is that it is open to any learner, whether or not the school is affiliated or not.

However, for team events, it is required that all members of the team are learners at the same school.

MSSA will thus be holding this event as an Online National Championships on 24 June 2023

MSSA's S A School Online Championships, which will offer local players the opportunity to qualify for selection to the national squad and for the Protea Team that attends IESF, GEF, and CAES events should they meet the criteria.

The titles to be played at IESF's World Championships to be held in Bali in 2022 which are to be played at this championship are:

Game titles to be played are:


Period/genreTitlePlatformAge restrictionPlayers
FPSCS GOPC165 v 5
Sport
FIFA '23All platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play121 v 1
eFootball 2023All platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC123 v 3
MOBA
DotA 2PC125 v 5
Clash RoyaleMobile121 v 1
League of LegendsPC125 v 5
Clash of ClansMobile121 v1
Mobile Legends Bang BangMobile125 v 5
FightingStreet Fighter VAll platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play121 v 1
CardHearthStoneVarious121 v 1


Players are to acquaint themselves with the rules apropos substitutes and loadshedding.


Tournament Structure:

As per the MSSA's rules, being:

  • If less than six teams, the championship shall be a Round Robin Championship
  • If 6 to 10 teams enter the championship there shall be four rounds as played to the Swiss System
  • If 11 or more teams enter the championship there shall be five rounds as played to the Swiss System

Eligibility:

  • Any learner currently registered for primary or secondary studies may enter.

Entry fee:

  • Entry is R50.00 per Registered Player.
  • Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.

Entries:

Medals:

Medals shall be awarded to the first three gamers for both men and women (per  province) in the following categories:
  • MALE: The top three places (1st, 2nd, and 3rd)).
  • FEMALE: The top three places (1st, 2nd, and 3rd))
Please note that the medals shall be awarded to the players at the next LAN championship in which such team/player enters and participates.

Colours:
  • School Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn School Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a any two (or more) Provincial Championships, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn School Provincial Colours.
  • School National Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a National Championship will automatically earn School National Colours. 
When and Where:
      • 24 June 2023
      • 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 national championship. This means that the championship shall be used for the following:
              • The awarding of school provincial and national colours;
              • The awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for both male and female;
              • 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.
              • All medals shall be awarded to the recipients at a MSSA LAN championships.

              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 mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com 

              Additional reading:

              Saturday, 17 June 2023

              Nigeria esports Federation gets liaison officer in South Africa.

              Mr. Armstrong Ogwuche is a qualified businessman appointed as Director of Business & Commercial and liaison officer in South Africa.

              Nigerian Esports Federation (NESFED) has announced the appointment of its Director of Business and Commercial Mr. Armstrong Ogwuche as the liaison officer to the Confederation of Africa Esports in South Africa.

              The President of the Nigerian Esports Federation, Mr. Agbor Clinton, said the responsibilities that come with such a high appointment of the Director of Business & Commercial as the liaison officer in South Africa, include but are not limited to, championing the recruitment and mobilization of Nigerians Gamers Communities in South Africa as well as boosting Nigerian’s Esports Federation participation at the continental esports body the Confederation of African Esports (CAES).  
              “I have no doubt in Mr. Armstrong Ogwuche capability, He is a God-fearing man and a qualified businessman whose experience is strongly needed for the transformation of NESFED.  The liaison officer is the right direction, it gives a sense of belonging to Nigerian gamers in that country, we have one officer in Canada already and one is also coming up in Germany very soon.  Nigeria has the biggest African esports communities abroad, it is high time we build, identify and protect the ever-increasing numbers of Nigerian gamers outside Nigeria”
              Mr. Clinton, NESFED President, further said that NESFED has lined up a series of activities to mark this year’s #worldesportday celebrations later in the year and confirmed that all the Nigerian liaison officers will assemble in Nigeria for the event. The one-week event in Nigeria is  to create awareness about the importance of the esports ecosystem.

              Thursday, 15 June 2023

              MSSA's female Counter-Strike: GO team qualifies for World Championships.

              Karla Grewar, MSSA Protea Female Team Captain, has lead South Africa through IESF's African Qualifiers to a berth in IESF's 15th World Esports Championships in Romania in August 2023.  

              In an absolutely gripping 
              IESF's African Regional Qualifying match between South Africa and Namibia, South Africa's all female team demolished the Namibian team to earn their place at IESF's 15th World Esports Championships in Lasi, Romania in August this year.

              This is the second time that MSSA has sent an all female CSGO team to IESF's World Championships. The first time was in 2018 when MSSA sent an all female CSGO team to IESF's 10th World Esports Championships in Chinese Taipai. MSSA sending such all female team was the first time that an all female team for CSGO participated in IESF's World Esports Championships.

              Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) victory over Namibia under the expert leadership of Karla Grewar has earned the Protea Female CSGO esports team its place at IESF's 15th World Esports Championships in Lasi, Romania in August this year.

              It is at such IESF World Championships that the South African team will be thrust up against the best female teams from the rest of the world. 

              However, MSSA has complete confidence in its team. The skill and sportsmanship exhibited by MSSA's Protea Team in the match against Namibia bodes well for the team in its endeavour to be the best in the world.

              The National Protea Female Esports Team for the CSGO esports title consists of: 

              Game titleName of athleteClub
              Counter-Strike: GOKarla GrewarWhite Rabbit Gaming
              Kaylee LudickWhite Rabbit Gaming
              Rochelle Elizabeth NoortmanWhite Rabbit Gaming
              Roelien van DykWhite Rabbit Gaming
              Jessica Eleez GreeffWhite Rabbit Gaming

              Additional reading: