The scope of South Africa's longest running awards for gaming has just got bigger.

Johan van Breda - MSSA's 2018 Volunteer of the Year.

Mind Sports South Africa's Management Board Awards are without doubt the longest running awards for gaming in South Africa. It could be argued that such awards are the longest running awards for rewarding such type of athletes in the world. Whereas the long running awards (like BAFTA) acknowledge the games themselves, MSSA's Management Board Awards acknowledge the contribution made by the very gamers/athletes themselves.

MSSA's Management Board Awards were initiated in 2009 to reward excellence not specifically provided for in MSSA's Constitution.

When reading through the names of those previously honoured, the reader is quickly reminded of MSSA's rich history. The names are not just names, these are the men and women who have made an incredible contribution to the various mind sports in South Africa.

Yet, the awards fell short in acknowledging the contribution of so many other Registered Players. Thus under the direction of MSSA president, Amanda Pakade, MSSA's highest legisative body, being the Annual General Meeting, agreed to widen the scope of such awards.

Thus the awards are now more representative of MSSA's membership, of the work being done, and of society as a whole.

It should be noted by the reader that the catagories for Writer of the Year, Social Media Person of the Year, and Sponsor of the Year are open catagories and apply to anyone that has given their 'all' to the development of esports as a sport.

The awards now take into account the following categories:

• Mind Sports Person of the Year
• Board Gamer of the Year
• Esports Player of the Year
• Wargamer of the Year
• Team of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Umpire of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Educator of the Year
• Writer of the Year
• Social Media Person of the Year
• Sponsor of the Year

As usual, MSSA's Management Board shall request all members to make submissions by 31 August.

MSSA's Management Board Awards

Back in 2009, Mind Sport South Africa (MSSA) started its Management Board Awards.

The Awards were designed to recognise the contribution made by those who gave selflessly, and/or made an impact, to the promotion of the various types of gaming under the jurisdiction of MSSA.

The list is a veritable 'who's-who' in South African gaming.

Even though some of the 'names' have moved on to further their prospects in business, Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) shall always fondly remember the winners and the incredible contribution that they made towards gaming.

Some, like Simphiwe Maphumulo , became even more involved.

Simphiwe moved from being one of MSSA's best gamers to and active role in the administration of MSSA as President of the MSSA.

However, the time has once again arrived for members to make their nominations for MSSA's Management Board Awards.

The categories are:

• Mind Sports Person of the Year 
• Board Gamer of the Year 
• eSports Gamer of the Year 
• Wargamer of the Year 
• Volunteer of the Year 
• Writer of the Year 
• Sponsor of the Year

If you wish to make a nomination, please submit such nomination in writing together with full motivation for such to mindsportssa@iafrica.com before 15 October 2016.

Such nomination must contain a detailed motivation for the Management Board to consider.

The award is presented at MSSA's Annual General Meeting.

Past winners are:

Year	Mind Sports Person of the Year	Board Gamer of the Year	eSports Gamer of the Year	Wargamer of the Year	Volunteer of the Year	Writer of the Year	Sponsor of the Year
2015	Elishia Retief	Lubabalo Kondlo	Kyle Turnbull	Jason Batzofin	Morizane Boyes	Andrew Rose of My Community	MWEB
2014	Morizan Boyes	Lubabalo Kondlo	Barry West	Elishia Retief	Louis Brown	Kyle Wolmarans	MWEB
2013	Simphiwe Maphumulo	Simphiwe Maphumulo	Lyrene Kuhn	Colin Webster	Dorian Love	Han Ciliiers	MWEB
2012	Robert Botha	Simphiwe Maphumulo	Gabriela Isaacs	Eugene Burger	Louis Brown	Han Cilliers	GIGABYTE
2011	Jaco Engelbrecht	Lubabalo Kondlo	Robert Botha	David Vannucci	Ryan van den Bergh	Alexandra Kayle	ASUS
2010	Frans Brewis	Simphiwe Maphumulo	Nialle Momsen	Gregory Laycock	Ryan van den Bergh	Jaco Diedericks	Incredible Connection
2009	Colin Webster	Mothusi Moabi	Stephen White	Edward van Trotsenburg	Ryan van den Bergh	Muhammed Nagdee	Incredible Connection

MSSA's Management Board Awards

Back in 2009, Mind Sport South Africa (MSSA) started its Management Board Awards.

The Awards were designed to recognise the contribution made by those who gave selflessly, and/or made an impact, to the promotion of the various types of gaming under the jurisdiction of MSSA.

The list is a veritable 'who's-who' in South African gaming.

Even though some of the 'names' have moved on to further their prospects in business, MSSA shall always fondly remember the winners and the incredible contribution that they made towards gaming.

Some, like Simphiwe Maphumulo , became even more involved.

Simphiwe moved from being one of MSSA's best gamers to and active role in the administration of MSSA as President of the MSSA.

However, the time has once again arrived for members to make their nominations for MSSA's Management Board Awards.

The categories are:

• Mind Sports Person of the Year 
• Board Gamer of the Year 
• Computer Gamer of the Year 
• Wargamer of the Year 
• Volunteer of the Year 
• Writer of the Year 
• Sponsor of the Year

if you wish to make a nomination, please submit such nomination in writing together with full motivation for such to mindsportssa@iafrica.com