Further enforcing good governance.

 

Past president Simphiwe Maphumulo (2010 - 2013) holds a position of Hon. Vice-President.

It is a long established principle that all sports federations should have individuals on their management structures who are not directly beholden to any member.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is aware of the need, and in 2018 altered its Connstitution to bring one such person/s onto the Management Board.

At MSSA's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 1 December 2018, it was unanimously agreed by all those eligible to vote to allow all past Presidents, who have completed all their terms and who currently do not hold an elected position shall be awarded the position of Hon. Vice-President.

Such Hon. Vice-President shall be entitled to attend meetings of the Council, and shall have power to vote at Executive and Management Board Meetings.

By bringing on past presidents who do not hold any other postions within MSSA, MSSA is able to draw on the vast knowledge base of such individuals, as well as have an individual on board who is more objective and detached.

A full list of MSSA's past presidents is as follows:

Date	Name	Protea Colours
1985 - 2013	Colin Webster	Wargames*, Boardgames, Esports
2013 - 2016	Simphiwe Maphumulo	Boardgames*
2016 - 2017	Morizane Boyes (resigned)	Esports
2017 - 2018	Amanda Kwaza	Boardgames, Esports
2018 - 2021	Amanda Kwaza	Boardgames, Esports

*dennotes those persons who have won a World championships while playing for South Africa in a Protea team.

Wishing you all the best.

On behalf of the President, Morizane Boyes, and the entire Management Board, MSSA wishes to take this opportunity of wishing all our members and Facebook followers a Blessed Festive Season and a Prosperous 2018.

For those of you travelling, take care on the roads as we want you to be able to participate in the exciting 2018 season that lies ahead.

The 2018 year is pregnant with possibilities, and it is hoped that every gamer will avail him/herself of  every opportunity and take full advantage of all that MSSA has to offer.

A lively debate...

The big three: Morizane Boyes (MSSA), Given Radingwana (Mega8), Cambridge Mokanyane (VS Gaming).

As Morizane Boyes (MSSA), Given Radingwana (Mega8), and Cambridge Mokanyane (VS Gaming) took to the stage, all gathered at the 3 day E-kasi Tech festival being held from 25 October - 27 October 2017 at Uncle Tom's Hall, Orlando, Soweto expected fireworks and a lively debate.

Without doubt these three individuals represent the most important role-players in the South African Esports scene. 

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), as everyone knows, is SA's national esports controlling body, whereas Mega8 and VS Gaming are the two largest and most influential esports event providers in South Africa.

Given Radingwana was the first to speak, and the audience hung upon his words. Next, Morizane Boyes gave her opening address, and was followed by Cambridge Mokanyane with his openening address.

What immediately became clear was that all three were on the same page.

The two event organisers openly admitted that what MSSA was doing was correct in terms of development, and Cambridge Mokanyane stated that development could only succeed if done at grass-root level.

Cambridge then went on to state that VS Gaming wants to work with all role-players in the esports industry to which both Morizane and Given concurred.

The debate continued, and although it was the most lively debate of the day, it  was clear that all three saw the development of esports in South Africa in the same light.

By the time the three left the stage, it was clear that there was a camaraderie between the three.

Big things are now expected.

For more on the dynamic E-kasi Tech festival please go to: https://www.e-kasifest.co.za/

Nadine Swart is SA’s top female Tekken Player

Nadine Swart at MSSA's recent 2017 Mpumulanga Championships.

MSSA’s 16th MpumulangaChampionships held at HTS Witbank on 27 & 28 May 2017 delivered some interesting results.

Not only were there more female entrants to the Tekken fame title than in any other championship in South Africa, but, such competitors showed that their standard of play had improved in leaps and bounds.

South Africa now has now got 13 female Tekken players officially ranked.

All four of the top players come from various clubs based in Witbank. Which is testament to Morizane Boyes commitment to growing and developing esports among women.

Nadine Swart heads the table after many years of playing second fiddle to Morizane Boyes (who represented South Africa at IeSF’s 6^th World Championships – Baku).

This is truly a case of the student becoming the master.

Pos	Name of Player	year	Club	Points
1	Nadine Swart	17	HTS Witbank	196.8
2	Sune van de Merwe	17	HTS Witbank	161.6
3	Doreen Els	17	Teutonic Knights Mind Sports Club	157.4
4	Morizané Boyes	17	BNKR	153.6
5	Kaitlyn Creighton	17	Master of Mind Sports	124.6
6	Robyn Gertzen	17	Teutonic Knights Mind Sports Club	114.8
7	Amanda Kumalo	16	Fakkel School	113.5
8	Andrea Bosch	15	Fairmont High School	110
9	Angelique Taljaard	17	Fakkel School	100
10	Leoné Loftus	17	Fakkel School	97.5
11	Dana Coleman	15	BNKR	96.9
12	Twane Martins	15	BNKR	95
13	Elize Crouse	15	Fairmont High School	95

"She who is Powerful"

Morizane Boyes - President of MSSA.

Morizane Boyes first entered competitive gaming in 2013, and since then has not only been competitive, but has excelled in everything that she has done.

In 2013, Morizane earned her Mpumulanga Provincial Colours, and at the S A National Championships too earned herself National Federation Colours. That not being enough, at MSSA’s Annual General Meeting in December 2013, Morizane was elected in for the role of Womens’ Desk. Morizane immediately made her task to introduce more females to gaming.

Such were her efforts that Morizane won the Volunteer of the Year at SPAR's GSport Awards.

In the next year (2014), Morizane earned a re-award of her Provincial Colours at the Gauteng Provincial Championships, and qualified for National Team trials for both StarCraft II and Tekken Tag Tournament being the only female in the history of MSSA to qualify for two different titles.

But StarCraft II and Tekken are not the only games played by Morizane. As Morizane says, “When I’m not “adulting” I am an avid gamer, I play almost everything”. This is indeed true, and apart from games like StarCraft II and Tekken, Morizane too plays CounterStrike and Rust.

Morizane was thus selected to represent South Africa as a member of the Protea eSports Team for IeSF’s 6thWorld Championships – Baku where Morizane represented the country above and beyond the call of duty.

Morizane too became the first female in the world to referee an international test match, and in 2015 refereed test matches in which South Africa played against Austria, Zimbabwe, Egypt and Tunisia.

With the birth of her son in 2016, Morizane stepped back from active competitive gaming, but still, through Sekhmetic strength, carried on with her duties.

In 2016, Morizane refereed the test match between South Africa and Ghana as well as organised the Mpumulanga Schools Championships, the Mpumulanga Championships, and the 30th S A National Championships. Even if Morizane was not directly involved in organising an event, Morizane was seen to be involved ‘backstage’.

Even while Morizane was competing herself, Morizane never shirked on her Management Board duties. During her period of office,female participation at MSSA events increased by a stunning 663%.

On the results shown under her tenure, Morizane was heard to remark, “I really am excited to see a larger group of girls joining the gaming scene. I believe that there is still a long way to go and I have some amazing women on the MSSA board who are going to help me make a difference for our girl gamers. We are hoping that we will be able to show the country how many talented ladies we have out there. Unfortunately some girls do still see this as a male dominated sport and we are hoping to change that mind set by starting female only tournaments where these ladies can build the confidence and the skill level to be able to take our guys.

Thus at MSSA’s 2016 Annual General Meeting, the Council Meeting with one voice elected Morizane as President as every member believes that Morizane is able to construct a sustainable gaming community.

Thus, even though MSSA is governed by committee, Morizane has firm and positive visions for gaming in South Africa.

Even though MSSA is tied in to its relationships with the International Wargames Federation, International e-Sports federation, and World draughts Federation, Morizanes vision for the MSSA is to have South African gaming to get stronger and move to larger stages all over the world!

Morizane stated, “I honestly believe we have the potential to place our stamp in larger tournaments and be taken seriously. I want to see bigger teams getting involved and I believe that it’s something we can achieve. I want to see e-Sports grow positively and I’m willing to work with the gaming community to achieve that”.

MSSA has always chosen the best possible Registered Players to represent South Africa, and many will remember the top South Africans like Robert Botha, Nathan Anderson, Anthony Hodgson, and Mohamed Wasim Lorgat (to name but a few)who have represented South Africa as members of the Protea Team. However, there are some clubs that are still not affiliated, and it is Morizane’s desire to see all organised clubs to be members of MSSA.

As Morizane stated on this issue, “As long as I’ve been a part of the MSSA, MSSA has never turned down any club that wanted to compete! I have heard from gamers in larger clubs that they fear that if they join the MSSA that they will not be able to take part in any other leagues. This is not the case we want gamers to improve their skills and playing as often as possible is the only way that can be achieved. I would love to be given the opportunity to converse with the gamers who have concerns, so that we can start creating a better gaming community”.

With a very energetic group of people who are on the MSSA Management Board, Morizane is looking forward to making all gaming bigger and better through creating a space where all gamers feel comfortable.

We all wish Morizane all the best with her three year term of office that runs until December 2019.

MSSA committee members

MSSA was founded in 1985 and since its inception has relied only upon volunteers to run the organisation.

Volunteers remain the back-bone of MSSA, and without the continued passion of such, MSSA would cease to be.

It is also most pleasing to see that the 2016 Annual general Meeting has delivered a committee in which 6 out of the 15 office-bearers are female.

With Morizane Boyes also holding the office of president, MSSA is confident that the needs and wants of Registered Players who are females will be addressed as never before.

It is sad that only MSSA has sent females to participate in every IeSF World Championships since 2012. 

MSSA has had the following committee members for the period 2005 to present:

MSSA to consider games titles for 2017

Morizane Boyes playing Tekken Tag Tournament II in Baku.

At the upcoming MSSA Annual General Meeting to be held on 4 December 2016, the MSSA membership shall be faced with the task of determining which game titles to offer at all Provincial and National Championships to be held in 2017.

Although MSSA has offered South African developers an opportunity to have their games included in the official South African competitive circuit, unfortunately, there have not been any submissions.

It is hoped that one day that locally produced and published games will make it onto center stage.

The games that shall be debated, and voted on, are:

Period/genre	Title	Platform	Players
FPS	CS GO	PC	5 v 5
	Battlefield 1	PC	8 v 8
	Call of Duty (latest version)	PC	5 v 5
	Overwatch	PC/console
Sport	FIFA '17	Console	1 v 1
	PES 2017	Console	1 v 1
RTS	StarCraft II	PC	1 v 1
AOS	Dota 2	PC	5 v 5
	League of Legends	PC	5 v 5
	VainGlory	Tablet/cell	3 v 3
Fighting	Tekken Tag Tournament 2	Console	1 v 1
	Street Fighter V	Console	1 v 1
	Mortal Kombat X	Console	1 v 1
	Injustice 2	Console	1 v 1
	Tekken 7	Console	1 v 1
Card	HearthStone	Various	1 v 1

Factors influencing women participating in sport

Some of MSSA's heroes: Gabrielle Isaacs, Lyrene Kühn, Morizane Boyes, Yolande Williams, and Maryke Kennard.

With females having considerably fewer opportunities to play high school sports than boys, and have. There too is an additional lack of access to adequate facilities near their homes that makes it more difficult for girls to engage in sports.

Added to the fact that many sports require a dedicated place to participate – which for many girls means traveling to facilities through unsafe neighborhoods. Thus, for many, the only option may be to stay home.

Another reason, despite recent progress, is the perceived discrimination. There is a great deal of bullying, and social isolation of those who compete in sport. Thus during adolescence twice as many girls drop out of sport as  what boys do.

Other reasons why females drop out of sport is that the quality level of their sports experience often declines. Generally, facilities allocated to girls are not as good as those allocated to boys. Times allocated to training are often too not optimal (considering the safety factors that need to be taken into account). Training needs to be different, and there are often not enough coaches of quality. Often coaches also tend to focus more on the boys’ programs that have more money for training. Often too equipment, uniforms, and events are not funded at the same levels which means the ability to grow and enjoy the sport is lessened. 

Thus, outside sport, many females do not learn the important life skills such as teamwork, leadership and confidence. Sport are an asset to American families, fostering communication and trust between parents and children

The benefits of playing sport are real.

Over two-thirds of working women consider  that  participating in sport helps their self-image and ability to deal with the pressures of work.

Sport too has a vital part to aid communication at home.

Thus Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is absolutely committed to promoting gaming on an equitable basis among both genders.

eSports have a real value in that they can dispense with a lot  of the problems as expressed above. However, caution still has to be exercised as cyber-bullying remains a very real threat.

There is no quick-fix, but MSSA is convinced that it is on the right path.

MSSA elections: Who may stand?

With MSSA's elections fast approaching, there are a number of Registered Players who are expressing interest in standing for positions.

Already we are aware that two Registered Players (Morizane Boyes and Colin Webster) shall be standing for the position of President.

But who may stand?

The Constitution is quite clear on the matter.

Any Registered Player who is a fully-paid-up member upon date of nomination (1 November 2016) may stand for any position for which his/her club nominates him/her.

Thus, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is open season and those who are willing to work, are able to do so.

MSSA elections: Morizane Boyes contests the Presidency

Morizane Boyes in action at IeSF's 6th World Championships - Baku

Morizane Boyes has announced that she is going to contest MSSA's presidency.

Morizane first started as an athlete, but such was her belief in how eSports could benefit her learners, Morizane quickly established a club at the school at which she is an educator, HTS Witbank.

Wanting to do more, and not shying away from work, Morizane stood for the position of 'Women's Desk' on MSSA's Management Board.

With a perfect attendance, and not ever having missed a single vote, Morizane has fought for the rights of women within MSSA and has spearheaded most of the motions that have made MSSA's championships more gender friendly.

Moreover, under Morizane's watch, there have been more opportunities for women to qualify for national teams.

Morizane has a list of achievements that would make most people envious of her, such as:

• Becoming South Africa's first female national umpire, 
• Becoming South Africa's first internationally recognised umpire,
• Being awarded Protea Colours for eSports in 2014, 
• Officiated at three online international test matches (Austria, Zimbabwe, and Ghana), 
• Won the 2013 SPAR Volunteer of the Year Award,
• Won MSSA's Mind Sports Person of the Year Award in 2014,
• Won MSSA's Volunteer of the Year Awards in 2015, and
• Having served a full term on MSSA's Management Board.

There is no doubt that Morizane Boyes is more than capable of heading MSSA, and has a proven track record of being a hard negotiator when dealing with SRSA.

Morizane Boyes has been nominated by BNKR.

Rumour has it...

Simphiwe Maphumulo - President, Mind Sports South  Africa

Niina Kahela (Finland) with Morizane Boyes

Rumour has it that MSSA's President, Simphiwe Maphumulo, may not be standing for another term of office.

If that is the case, then who takes over?

Well, that will  be decided at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 4 December 2016.

The truth is that any fully-paid-up Registered Player may be nominated by a fully-paid-up member club.

Member clubs then use their votes to decide who is elected.

School clubs get one (1) vote for every ten members, and all other clubs get one (1) vote for every five members.

It would not be impossible to see Colin Webster again voted into the position. The clause inn the SASCOC MOI only prohibits (according to Tubby Reddy) a person from holding the position of President for more than ten consecutive years.

However, there may be better candidates in the wings.

Certainly Morizane Boyes is a good example of being  a good candidate.
Morizane joined the Management Board in 2013 as the person in charge of the Women's Desk.

While holding such position, Morizane  became accredited as MSSA's first female National umpire, and the world's first female international umpire.

Morizane has too put in countless hours promoting gaming among females,  and it is largely due to Morizane's efforts that MSSA's Protea Team for FIFA comprises a female gamer (Joline Bico).

However, MSSA will not know who all the 'runners and riders' are until 1 November 2016.

So, if you are looking at holding down SA's top job in gaming, talk to your club.

Democracy is exciting stuff!

So, you want to help do you?

Morizane Boyes

MSSA members should be aware that MSSA is short of a number of Provincial Directors, such as:

Eastern Cape
Free State
Gauteng
KwaZulu Natal
Northern Cape
North West
Western Cape

In order to function properly, especially apropos the Inter-Provincial Test Matches, MSSA Management Board has agreed that there should be Provincial Directors for at least 5 provinces.

Any member may start making proposals of member players to fill these positions.

Please note that the deadline is 30 April 2016.

All nominations must be accompanied by a signed Letter of Undertaking.

2015 MSSA Management Board Awards

Elishia Retief - Mind Sports Person of the Year

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) revealed at its Annual General Meeting the recipients of its prestigious Management Board Awards for the 2015 year.

It is always difficult for the Board to make these awards with so many outstanding performances from which to choose. Thus, the entire membership is enrolled in making nominations, and it is from these nominations that the final choice is made.

Elishia Retief – Elishia needs no introduction. Elishia is the female World Champion for no less than two years in a row. Her standard of play is thus at its peak, and her level of sportsmanship is without compare.

Lubabalo Kondlo – Lubabalo represented South Africa in Checkers in the USA, Italy and Wales in South Africa. Lububalo finished in sixth place in the World Qualifying Championships.

Kyle Turnbull - At 15 Kyle is one of South Africa's rising stars. Kyle played in online test matches against Austria and Zimbabwe in which he carried himself with distinction. Kyle too is unbeaten for three years in South African major championships.

Jason Batzofin – Jason is a two times Junior World Champion for Ancients Wargames. His dedication is unparalleled. Jason too, is committed to development and promotion of the game.

Morizane Boyes – It is not hard to praise Morizane. If MSSA requires assistance, Morizane is there. Her willingness to help, administrate, umpire and organise seems to know no bounds. Morizane is also South Africa's only internationally accredited umpire for eSports.

Andrew Rose of MyCommunity - The website has given MSSA fantastic coverageto MSSA and eSports. The dedication shown by Andrew to eSports is truly remarkable.

MWEB – MWEB has sponsored MSSA for three years in a row as MSSA''s headline sponsor. With MWEB's sponsorship, much has been able to be achieved in all fields. Standards have been improved, and South Africa has moved from being ranked in 18^th place to 12^th place in the world.

The sponsorship has also allowed MSSA to do vital development works in townships and rural areas which are beginning to show fruit.

Mind Sports Person of the Year:	Elishia Retief	Old Edwardian Wargames Club
Board Gamer of the Year:	Lubabalo Kondlo	Dr Niederhoffer Memorial CC
Computer Gamer of the Year:	Kyle Turnbull	HTS Witbank
Wargamer of the Year:	Jason Batzofin	St John's College
Volunteer of the Year:	Morizane Boyes	HTS Witbank
Mind Sports Writer of the Year:	Andrew Rose	MyCommunity
Best Sponsor of the Year:	MWEB

HTS Witbank shows solid growth

HTS Witbank Mind Sports Club was only established by the school in 2013. However, due to an incredibly

supportive Headmaster and an Educator that does not quit, the club has grown from strength to strength.

The club is of course the brain-child of Morizane Boyes who has sunk much of her time and effort into the club.

But she does not do it alone, Morizane encourages the buy-in of each and every member. As a result, she acknowledges the work of the Club Captain, Douglas Tollemache, to be instrumental to the club's growth.

Morizane is more than aware that the club is more than just games and that it is about promoting people and unlocking the potential that each member has.

As a result the club now boasts a new record of 115 gamers of which 30 of such gamers are females.

This makes the HTS club the leader in terms of female membership.

But the club does not just boast of having a strong membership, the club also has gamers of exceptional standard.

Morizane herself has Protea Colours for Mind Sports having represented South Africa in the MWEB Team eSports South Africa in the IeSF's 6^th World Championships – Baku.

However, the real star of the show is Kyle Turnbull who first appeared on the competitive gaming scene in 2013.

Kyle's game is FIFA '15, and since he entered competitive gaming, Kyle has won every single senior Provincial and S A National Championship in which he has played.

Kyle's performance is even more remarkable considering that he has not lost a single game in any of the senior championships that he has played and that he is the youngest FIFA player to ever be awarded Senior National Federation Colours.

Thus the HTS club with its unique blend of enthusiasm, skill, dedication, and experience seems to be ready to stamp its authority on the South African gaming scene.

South African MSSA 2014 Management Board Awards:

The MSSA announced its annual Management Board Awards at its Annual General Meeting held on 7 December 2014.

The awards are in recognition to the gamers, media and sponsors that have shown exceptional levels of commitment, dedication, loyalty and excellence in the calendar year ending 15 November 2014.

Thus for many there will be no surprise when they see who the winners are.

However, it should be noted that there are more females than ever before in the final awards.

Morizane Boyes becomes the first female to win the position of Mind Sports Person of the year.

Morizane has shown exceptional skills in all aspects of her involvement in the the MSSA. Everything she has done has been with a passion, and everything she has done, she has done well - so well, that Morizane moved from being an administrator to being a player on the national MWEB Protea team and a respected competitor at the 2014 IeSF World Championships.

The full list of the recipients for 2014 are:

Mind Sports Person of the Year:	Morizane Boyes	All Stars
Board Gamer of the Year:	Lubabalo Kondlo	Dr Niederhoffer Memorial CC
Computer Gamer of the Year:	Barry West	Tuks Mind Sports Club
Wargamer of the Year:	Elishia Retief	Old Edwardian Wargames Club
Volunteer of the Year:	Louis Brown	All Stars
Mind Sports Writer of the Year:	Kyle Wolmarans	MWEB GAMEZONE
Best Sponsor of the Year:	MWEB