MSSA reveals the entry fees for the 2017/2018 season.

Although Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is the largest membership based organisation for gaming in South Africa, the passion of those volunteers who administrate has ensured that MSSA can continue to  run in a cost effective manner.

Those  volunteers, who forgo any personal advantage, have managed to keep costs down - even in a country where prices are forever on the rise.

By pursuing their passion, volunteers have ensured that:

• MSSA has the largest footprint in South Africa,
• MSSA has its own 24/7 channel on TULUNTULU on which any member club may post content,
• MSSA holds a number of school championships,
• MSSA holds more championships than any other organisation in South Africa,
• MSSA has an open system of government that allows any member to rise to positions of office,
• MSSA has sent more teams overseas than any other organisation,
• MSSA is the only body that may award Regional, Provincial, National, and Protea Colours for gaming,
• MSSA is the only body that may select official teams to represent South Africa,
• MSSA is the only body in South Africa that may affiliate to CAeS, and IeSF, and
• MSSA is in the vanguard of actively developing gaming in South Africa.

Thus, after long debate, MSSA's Management Board (MANCOM) has finally approved the new entry fees that will be in force from 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2018.

The fees are:
 

Discipline	Fees
Board games	R 32.00
Esports	R 64.00
Figure gaming (wargames)	R 64.00

Members are reminded that all entry fees must be paid by the club through bank transfer as MSSA does not collect entry fees at the event.

MSSA's fees for 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2018

'Time waits for no man', and as time marches on - as usual - Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) finds itself having to do all the necessary administration required of it at this time of the year.

The usual administration adds an additional burden to the already hard-working Management Board which is busy tying up all the loose-ends in order to ensure that the 2017 Protea Esports Team has a safe and pleasant journey to IeSF's 9th World Esports Championships - Busan.

However, MSSA would not be able to achieve much without its members.

The annual affiliation and registration fees are a vital ingredient to MSSA's ability to deliver its development programmes and even getting its national team overseas.

Every member counts, and every member helps assist MSSA in its core functions.

Thus, MSSA ensures as much as possible, that the fees not be a burden to the membership, but instead, just a contribution to enable MSSA meet its obligations.

Thus, the fees for 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2018 are as follows:
Affiliation fees:

The Affiliation fee needed to be paid by every member club on an annual basis remains at the amount of R100,00.

Registration fees:

Registration fees are divided into two categories, being:

• Registered Players who are affiliated to a school club - R6,00 per player per annum.
• Registered Players who are affiliated to a club other than a school club - R101.00 per player per annum.

However, in keeping with Mind Sport South Africa's policies apropos development programmes, MSSA may waive the fees from registered players who are unable to afford such, should the member club make such request in terms of MSSA's rules.

Regional Championships - development at its best.

Much has already been written about Mind Sports South Africa's Regional Championships, however, few truly understand the true value of the championships.

Not only does MSSA's Regional Championships allow the winner to earn a berth at MSSA's much coveted National Team Trials, but it also promotes development of a 'breeding-ground' for the games that fall under MSSA's custodianship.

Due to  the fact that you do not need to be a Registered Player to play in a Regional Championship, players are offered the opportunity of experiencing official competition in their own 'home-town'. Through Regional championships, MSSA has  been able to hold official championships in towns that have never before seen such type pf championship before.

Through such programme, MSSA has been able to extend its footprint and find new talent. The new talent has. in many cases, shaken the status quo, and promises fresh new competition and challenges in the coming year.

Game titles that are not played at Provincial  and National Championships may also be played at such Regional Championships.

Thus growth and development starts at grass-root level and such Regional Championships allow MSSA the opportunity to truly see the support given to, and popularity of, game titles that may otherwise overlooked.

The Regional Championships thus allow MSSA to move forward and remain relevant among the gaming community, and keep it as SA's gaming leader.

Thus the inclusion of 'Injustice 2' in the schedule of the 2017 Polokwane Regional Championships (30 September 2017 and 1 October 2017) is part of this dynamic policy.

For more information about the 2017 Polokwane Regional Championships please go to: http://esportscommentator.blogspot.co.za/2017/09/the-polokwane-regional-championship-30.html

"Parting is such sweet sorrow".

Alwyn van Wyk

The 'brain-drain' continues and South Africa continues to 'haemorrhage' top quality citizens.

So it is that Alwyn van Wyk has now taken up a teaching position in UAE.

Not only is Alwyn an exceptional  Educator, but Alwyn too served MSSA with distinction. Alwyn served as the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Director in 2016 and in 2017.

Under Alwyn's watch the KwaZulu Natal Championships has grown to be the third largest Provincial Championship. The province too has shown phenomenal growth among schools, to have the second largest number of schools affiliated in any one province.

Alwyn's departure from South Africa thus leaves a gaping hole.

As such the position (2-year term) of KwaZulu Natal Provincial Director is now available, and hopefully will be filled at MSSA's Annual General Meeting (AGM) which will be held on 3 December 2017.

Alwyn, has left huge shoes to fill.

Until we meet again.

The best MGO.

Learners representing their school with pride.

In South African esports there is a lot of talk about Milti-Gaming Organisations (MGO's).

But what is an MGO?

Currently, the definition for an MGO on Wikipedia is stated as such:

"Multi-Gaming-Organisations (MGO's) are in many ways like clans or clubs except they are focused on the business aspect of eSports and are made up of many competitive teams. While the teams within MGO's are often managed in the same way a normal clan is managed, the organisation's top level management would include marketing, business and public relations personnel. In short, an MGO functions like a business while, in general, clans / clubs do not."

So what we  can gather from the above definition is that an MGO can take the form of various legal entities.

Such entities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Private companies (owned by one or more shareholders), 
• Clans owned by sole-traders,
• Clans owned by partnerships,
• Associations,
• University clubs,
• School clubs.

Without doubt, in my opinion, the MGO's which are Associations, University clubs, and School clubs are the types of organisations that best look after the interests of the player as the administrators govern through passion, and not from a profit-making point of view.

However, the  best, and biggest, MGO's are without doubt the  schools themselves.

Not only do  the school clubs have a reach that dwarfs that of any private MGO, school clubs are able to develop gamers on every single level, in every single game, and also have the facilities on hand to do so. 

Schools like Northcliff High School have produced gamers in every genre of esports from computer gaming through to gaming on mobiles. Such types of schools have also produced players that have made it into the Protea Team. Gamers like Robert Botha and Ian Pillay represented South Africa  with pride and excelled representing Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) at various International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) events.

The  growth of gaming thus seems secure while it it is in the hands of the schools. Schools are a stable base which can develop a healthy foundation to the long-term growth.

In other words, schools are the best MGO's there are.

Time to have your say.

Morizane Boyes - President of Mind Sports South Africa

Unlike any other esports organisation in South Africa, Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) offers its members an opportunity to decide on the direction that esports shall take in South Africa.

How is this done?

Through MSSA's Annual General Meeting (AGM) member clubs are able to propose motions, and vote on issues that directly have an impact on the disciplines and games that fall under MSSA's jurisdiction.

Any motion timeously submitted by a member club must be be tabled on the agenda of such AGM.

All member clubs then vote on any such motion which allows the majority to have their say.

However, more importantly, it is at such AGM that MSSA elects its office-bearers - whether they stand for the Management Board, Provincial Directorships, and/or Regional Directorships.

Since MSSA is driven by good governance, no person may hold more than one position. Also, any Registered Player in good-standing at the date of nomination may stand for any available position. To stand, the Registered Player must be nominated by an affiliated member club (also in good-standing) and must sign the letter of undertaking.

Remember that these, although voluntary, positions are work positions. Even though there is no pay, MSSA expects its office-bearers to be as professional as possible.

Positions on the Management Board (these positions have a three-year term) that are available for the 2017 AGM are:

• Two (2) Vice-President positions,
• One (1) Figure gaming Representative, and
• One (1) National Schools Director.

Nominations must be submitted by member clubs by 1 November 2017 and all nominees must be fully-paid-up for the 2017/2018 year.

It's all go, go, go...

Few understand the amount of work required by a national federation to get an official team overseas.

In esports, only one organisation has consistently sent teams overseas.

Such organisation is Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), South Africa's largest membership based gaming organisation in South Africa.

MSSA has sent teams for esports overseas since 2005. Only in 2008, MSSA did  not send a team overseas. Instead in 2008, MSSA brought out SK Gaming to participate in the African Continental Championships that were held at Wits University in 2008.

Thus MSSA's  MANCOM is hard at work organising, sourcing, and tying up all the loose ends that will see the 2017 Protea Esports Team head off for IeSF's 9th World Championships - Busan.

Polokwane Regional Championships - 30 September and 1 October 2017

Championship Details:

• Hosting Club: Fragcon Gaming - 
• Contact:  Petrus Maartens @ 084 637 1568 or fragcongaming@gmail.com
• Venue: Tom Naude High School, Potgieter Avenue, Polokwane
• Date: 30 September and 1 October 2017
• Game Entry Fees: R100.00 per Player per weekend team game & individual game.                                 R50.00 per Player per game.
• Entries: Clubs must use the entry form on Google Drive to enter their players.
• Food & refreshments: Highly reasonable prices

Spectators are welcome!

The schedule for the event is:

SATURDAY:
Time	CounterStrike: GO	League of Legends (LoL)	Pro Evolution Soccer	Injustice 2
09H00	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts
09H45	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues
10H30	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts
11H15	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues
12H00	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts
12H45	Round 3 Continues	Round 3 Continues	Round 3 Continues	Round 3 Continues
13H00
Time	CounterStrike  (continued)	LoL (continued)	PES (continued)	HearthStone (continued)
14H00	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts
14H45	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues
15H30	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts
16H15	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues
17H00
18H00	Awards Ceremony
19H00	Doors Close
SUNDAY:
Time	StarCraft II	Tekken 7	Street Fighter
09H00	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts
09H45	Round 2 Starts	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues
10H30	Round 3 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts
11H15	Round 4 Starts	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues
12H00	Round 5 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts
12H45		Round 3 Continues	Round 3 Continues
13H00	LUNCH
Time	Dota (continued)	Tekken 7  (continued)	Street Fighter (continued)
14H00	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts
14H45	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues
15H30	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts
16H15	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues
17H00
18H00	Awards Ceremony
19H00	Doors Close

See more about the event on: https://esportscommentator.blogspot.co.za/2017/09/the-polokwane-regional-championship-30.html

Request for nominations for MSSA's 2017 Management Board Awards

Matthew Smith - MSSA's 2016 Computer Gamer of the Year.

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 and Morizane Boyes , became even more involved.

Both Simphiwe and Morizane moved from being great gamers to take up active roles 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 before 15 October 2017.

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

The period under review for nominations is 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2017.

Nominations must be sent to mindsportssa@gmail.com

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	Computer Gamer of the Year	Wargamer of the Year	Volunteer of the Year	Writer of the Year	Sponsor of the Year
2016	Jason Batzofin	Lucille Brown	Matthew Smith	Garth Schoeman	Colin Webster	Tamzyn Pamplin (MyComLink)	SterKinekor
2015	Elishia Retief	Lubabalo Kondlo	Kyle Turnbull	Jason Batzofin	Morizane Boyes	Andrew Rose (MyComLink)	MWEB
2014	Morizan Boyes	Lubabalo Kondlo	Barry West	Elishia Retief	Louis Brown	Kyle Wolmarans (MWEB Gamezone)	MWEB
2013	Simphiwe Maphumulo	Simphiwe Maphumulo	Lyrene Kuhn	Colin Webster	Dorian Love	Han Ciliiers (MWEB Gamezone)	MWEB
2012	Robert Botha	Simphiwe Maphumulo	Gabriela Isaacs	Eugene Burger	Louis Brown	Han Cilliers (MWEB Gamezone)	GIGABYTE
2011	Jaco Engelbrecht	Lubabalo Kondlo	Robert Botha	David Vannucci	Ryan van den Bergh	Alexandra Kayle (ITWEB)	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 (Verge)	Incredible Connection

Registration of South Africans Abroad - ROSA

What is ROSA?

ROSA is the acronym for the ‘Registration of South Africans Abroad’, a software programme developed by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation allowing travellers to register on-line.

The information travellers register on ROSA allows the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to assist South African citizens in event of an emergency.  The registration is a free, voluntary service provided by Government (through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation).  ROSA is only available to South African citizens who are travelling, living or working abroad.

ROSA is an initiative that is endorsed and supported by the Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA). 

Why should I register?

Vast numbers of our people who travel abroad every day do not encounter any difficulties.  However, through our missions abroad, we have assisted a growing number of South Africans who have become victims of crime, accident/s, illness, death, natural/man-made disasters, civil unrest, or whose family and/or next-of-kin needed to contact them in an emergency.

Registration through this website is NOT considered proof of South African citizenship.  If you apply for any service from an Embassy, High Commission or Consulate General (mission) while abroad, you will be asked by staff to provide proof of South African citizenship, such as a passport or bar coded ID book / ID Smart card.

By registering your trip on-line with ROSA you assist the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to locate you during an emergency, verifying your status and liaising with your next-of-kin.  Information on ROSA is not continuously monitored and will only be accessed during a declared consular emergency.

Registration is voluntary and free of charge.  We encourage you to consider registration as an integral part of your travel planning and security.

How do I register?

The ROSA software is an on-line registration process available on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation website.  The address is http://www.dfa.gov.za/consular/index.html

The ROSA software is unique as it allows for a traveller to:

• register as an Individual Traveller
• register as Group Travellers
• register multiple destinations
• update their profiles (Individual or Group)
• de-register their profile from the system.  

How can the Embassy or Consulate assist me while I am abroad?

The Chief Directorate: Consular Services in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, in close collaboration with the Consular Sections of South African Representatives abroad, provides consular services to South African citizens who work, live and travel abroad.

Consular Services operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  On weekends and after hours, assistance is rendered in co-operation with the Department's Operations Room in Pretoria.  The Operations Room supports our 121 Representatives in 105 countries affording services that cover the entire world.

A detailed list of services is available at http://www.dfa.gov.za/consular/services.htm

How will my information be used?

ROSA will be utilised by Consular Officers at Head Office or at a South African Mission abroad in the event of a disaster, emergency or other crisis as outlined above.

Only authorised officers of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation have access to the information which will only be used in the event of an emergency.  This will enable the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to e.g. react by contacting the next-of-kin to verify the status of the South Africans travelling abroad that might have been affected by the emergency. 
 Registration and Privacy

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is committed to ensuring that any personal information received through the ROSA on-line registration process is safeguarded against unauthorised disclosure.

The Department will not disclose the information you provide through the registration application to any third parties (this includes family members) unless you have first given it written authorisation to do so.  In the event that family members make enquiries about your whereabouts, such requests will be forwarded to you.  You may choose to inform the mission of your decision to respond or not.

This internet site uses secure encryption to safeguard your privacy and therefore any unauthorised interception by third parties of the information you send via the internet is unlikely.  The Department does not accept responsibility for any such interception.
Important Notification

The responsibility remains with the individual traveller to-

• act responsibly and be aware of the risks
• consider and purchase full travel insurance or an overseas health plan
• respect the culture and customs of the countries visited.

The consular assistance provided by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, in the case of an emergency, is usually of a non-financial nature, and the Department will not be responsible for payment of legal, medical, travelling expenses or any other expenses on behalf of the traveller.

It is reiterated that information on ROSA is only accessed by the Department during a declared consular emergency.