Mind Sports South Africa

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is recognised by Act of Parliament as the national controlling body for mind sports in South Africa.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is also an affiliate of the International eSports Federation, Fédération Mondiale du Jeu de Dames, and the International Wargames Federation. Due to its membership of such international bodies, the MSSA is the sole authority for the games that it caters for in terms of the Sport and Recreation Act, number 110 of 1998 (as amended).

History
Mind Sports South Africa was formally constituted on 14 December 1985. However, it was not until 1990 that the MSSA became a member of NOCSA in 1990, and in 1991 that the MSSA became affiliated to the Confederation of South African Sports Confederation (COSAS).

The MSSA was one of the members that encouraged unity during the apartheid era, and thus voted in favour of the unifying of sport. As a consequence of the actions of the many National Federations, the National Sports Council was formed in 1994 and was immediately accepted as a full member of the newly formed body. Upon dissolution of the NSC in 1999, the MSSA played its part in supporting the formation of the South African Sports Commission in 1999.

Once the South African Sports Commission was formed (by Act of Parliament) the MSSA again was accepted as a full member. Even when the Minister of Sport and Recreation saw the need to ask Parliament to amend the Sports and Recreation Act (number110 of 1998), the official recognition of Mind Sports South Africa remained unchanged as the MSSA became a founding member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

All the games promoted by Mind Sports South Africa are accredited as national sports. Such accreditation by the Sports and Recreation Act (number110 of 1998), guarantees the MSSA as being the only authority for the administration and control of the games that fall under the MSSA's jurisdiction.

The MSSA changed its name in 2005 from the South African Wargames Union (SAWU) to that of Mind Sports South Africa.

Structure
Mind Sports South Africa, like other sports federations in South Africa, is constituted as a voluntary association.

The highest authority of the MSSA is the Annual General Meeting which holds all Committees accountable for their actions.

The executive committee meets a minimum of twice a year, and requires a full report from the management board.

The management board deals with the day-to-day operations of the MSSA and overseas the different Boards of Control. Clubs are directly affiliated to the MSSA which ensures that there is greater transparency and inclusion.

History of the emblem
Back in the early 1990s, the South African Wargames Union (as the MSSA was then known) was invited to participate in the World Team Championships for Wargames. Up until that point the MSSA used the rampant lion as its symbol. However, it was felt by the committee to approach the State Herald to design something specifically for the MSSA that best represented the games as administered by the MSSA. The State Herald Frederick Brownell designed the Janus Knight for the MSSA.

The logo is made up of the following aspects:

The double-headed knight chess piece: The knight chess piece is already an international symbol for army battle school. The symbol represents tactical and strategic thought and training. By making the symbol a double-headed knight, it also incorporates the concepts of considering the opponent's moves and shows the mental versatility of gamers.

The circle: The circle represents the rules to which all the games are played, and the unity of all the games that the MSSA represents.

Disciplines and games under the jurisdiction of the MSSA
In terms of its Constitution, Mind Sports South Africa caters for a wide variety of Mind Sports in South Africa, such as:

Board gaming Card gaming
 * Backgammon
 * Draughts (Anglo-American, Pool Checkers and International)
 * Morabaraba (also known as Mlabalaba)
 * Moruba
 * SesothoMorabaraba
 * Speed Stacking

Figure gaming eSports Robotics
 * Ancients 		(3000 BC to 1500 AD)
 * Pike & Shot 		(1500 AD to 1700 AD)
 * Horse & Musket 	(1700 to 1845)
 * World War II 	        (1939 to 1945)
 * Console gaming
 * Mobile gaming
 * PSP gaming
 * Personal computer gaming

How games are chosen
Every year the MSSA holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM)directly after the South African National Championships. It is at such AGM that the games to be played in the Esports Discipline are selected by the member clubs.

State awards

 * In 2002, David Hlophe received the President's Award (Silver Class) from the President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, at the President's residence in Cape Town.
 * In 2003, Rhonnie Manana and Thabo Mokoena were finalists at the South African Sports Awards.
 * In 2007, Berneice Ligault and Amanda Kwaza were also finalists at the South African Sports Awards.
 * in 2013, Simphiwe Maphumulo was the recipient of the Indigenous Sports Star of the Year award at the S A Sports Awards.

Other awards

 * In 2005, Colin Webster was a recipient of the Ekuhurleni Outstanding Sports Administrator Award
 * In 2010, Barry Booysen was a recipient of the Ekuhurleni Volunteer of the Year Award
 * In 2013, Morizane Boyes was the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Spar GSport Awards
 * In 2014, Lubabalo Kondlo was a finalist in the Eastern Cape Provincial Sportsman of the Year Awards
 * In 2014, Kyle Wolmarans was a finalist in the Eastern Cape Provincial Media Person of the Year Awards

World champions produced
South Africa has produced the following world champions:

Medal winners
South Africa has produced the following medal winners in international championships:

Official eSports Tri-Nation Test matches
The following online events were held by member associations and under the jurisdiction of the IeSF:

Official Test matches
The following Test matches were held:

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

South Africans who have served on international committees
The following South Africans have served on international committees:

Affiliations to international federations
Mind Sport South Africa is affiliated to the following international federations:


 * Global Esports Federation
 * International eSports Federation
 * International Wargames Federation
 * World Draughts Federation FMJD
 * Confederation of African Esports CAES