Find your dream!

Francois Mouton representing South Africa in HearthStone at IeSF's 8th World Championships - Jakarta. 

It is not easy to find your dream.

There are so many people along the way that  might attempt to deter you, or steer you along a different path for their own ulterior motives.

Then there are those who go out and try to educate and get you to create a considered opinion.

In my own life, I consider myself to be blessed to be surrounded by the latter.

My parents (now deceased) always promoted freedom of thought at a time in South Africa when such freedom was not much appreciated. Then there was Zvi Katabi, my old swimming coach, who added much, and to whom I shall always be indebted.

But I digress.

Many gamers will look at the two options offered to gamers in South Africa by Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) on the one side, and by private operators (like TELKOM) on the other.

Such gamers feel that they need to choose between the two.

The truth is that gamers can do both.

Few gamers are aware that  the league offered by TELKOM was in fact started by MSSA in 2005.

It is important though that gamers get in as many competition type games as possible if they are to improve on an international stage.

In my own experience, I have found that I was only ready for international competition if I had played in at least 5 competitions between championships

Thus, in order to find your dream, you have to put in a lot of work.

Your dream will  not just fall into your lap, and often you will find that the more difficult path leads to greater success.

Just as it takes years of study to acquire a degree to find the career of choice, so becoming a professional gamer requires hours of training, competitive play, and taking every opportunity that is offered no matter by what, who, or whom.

South Africans well ranked in Checkers!

Standings as received from the WCDF

The World Checkers Draughts Federation (WCDF) has just released the standings for the World Cup.

Of course all the usual faces are there, and the men's section is dominated by the Italian players.

Well done to Sergio Scarpetta for winning the title!
However, South Africa did do well,

In the men's section, South Africa has no less than three players in the top twenty.

The highest placed South African, is none other than SA National Champion, Francois Mouton from Tuks Mindsports Club.
Lubabalo Kondlo, is just behind Francois, and it will be interesting to see if Lubabalo takes on Francois directly.

In the women's section, Sharné Nortjé fought her way into third place with Lucille Brown and Sonja Brown finishing in 6th and 10th places respectively.


Sharné Nortjé also represents the Tuks university Mindsports Club.

Needless to say MSSA is very proud of all its checkers players.

Connar Swart dominates MWEB Hearthstone school league

A dashing Connar Swart

Connar Swart, of Parklands College, totally dominated the 2015 edition on the MWEB Inter-School League for the game of Hearthstone.

Connar lead the championship right from the start and wasted no time whatsoever in enforcing his authority.

Thus Connar is the undisputed 2015 South African champion for the Hearthstone title.

It will be interesting to see if Connar enters the MSSA's MWEB 20th Western Cape Championships and the MSSA's MWEB Online Hearthstone Championships in order to become eligible for the National Team Trials.

It is at such National Team Trials (NTT) that Connar will have to face off against Francois Mouton, from Tuks Mindsports Club, to fight for a place in the 2015 MWEB Team eSports South Africa that will attend the IeSF'sa annual World Championships.