Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is recognised by Act of Parliament^[1] as the national controlling body for mind sports in South Africa.

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2021)

Quick Facts Abbreviation, Formation ...

Mind Sports South Africa

MSSA Logo
Abbreviation	MSSA
Formation	14 December 1985; 38 years ago (1985-12-14)
Type	Sports federation
Legal status	Association
Purpose	Controlling body for various mind sports in South Africa
Headquarters	Germiston, South Africa
Membership	105 clubs
Official language	English, Afrikaans
President	Mr. Colin Webster
Affiliations	SASCOC, International e-Sports Federation, International Wargames Federation, FMJD, Confederation of African Esports
Volunteers	27
Website	http://www.mindsportsa.co.za

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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).

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),^[2] 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).^[3]

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),^[2] 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.

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.^[4]

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.

In terms of its Constitution, Mind Sports South Africa caters for a wide variety of Mind Sports in South Africa, such as:

Board gaming

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

Card gaming

Figure gaming

• Ancients (3000 BC to 1500 AD)
• Pike & Shot (1500 AD to 1700 AD)
• Horse & Musket (1700 to 1845)
• World War II (1939 to 1945)

eSports

• Console gaming
• Mobile gaming
• PSP gaming
• Personal computer gaming

Robotics

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.

• 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.^[5]
• 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.

• 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^[6]
• In 2013, Morizane Boyes was the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Spar GSport Awards^[7]
• 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

South Africa has produced the following world champions:

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

The following online events were held by member associations and under the jurisdiction of the IeSF:

More information Year, Date ...

Year	Date	Countries	Title played	Result
2013	12 October 2013	Denmark,  Israel,  South Africa	League of Legends	4, 2, 0

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The following Test matches were held:

More information Year, Date ...

Year	Date	Countries	Title played	Result	Year	Date	Countries	Title played	Result
2020	25 October 2020	South Africa,  Namibia	DotA 2	0 - 2	2020	25 October 2020	South Africa,  Namibia	PES 2020	2 - 0
2020	6 May 2020	South Africa,  Peru	DotA 2	0 - 2	2020	16 May 2020	Azerbaijan,  South Africa	DotA 2 [8]	2 - 0
2020	25 April 2020	South Africa,  Namibia	DotA 2	2 - 0
2018	28 August 2018	Russia,  South Africa	Tekken 7 (Male), Counter-Strike: GO	1 - 0, 1 - 0	2018	23 June 2018	Namibia,  South Africa	Tekken 7 (Male), Tekken 7 (Female), FIFA'18	0 - 2, 0 - 1, 1 - 1
2018	17 March 2018	Ghana,  South Africa	FIFA'18 and Tekken 7	3 - 1, 2 - 2
2017	16 September 2017	Tunisia,  South Africa	League of Legends	2 - 0	2017	9 September 2017	Switzerland,  South Africa	CounterStrike: GO, League of Legends, Tekken 7	2 - 0, 2 - 0, 1 -0
2017	30 July 2017	Namibia,  South Africa	FIFA '17	1–0
2016	9 October 2016	Egypt,  South Africa	HearthStone	1-1	2016	6 February 2016	Ghana,  South Africa[9]	FIFA'16	5–1
2015	4 December 2015	Finland,  South Africa	StarCraft II: LotV	2–0	2015	14 November 2015	Israel,  South Africa[10]	League of Legends	2–0
2015	14 August 2015	Algeria,  South Africa	CounterStrike: GO	1–0	2015	14 August 2015	Libya,  South Africa	CounterStrike: GO	1–0
2015	13 August 2015	Tunisia,  South Africa	CounterStrike: GO	1–0	2015	13 August 2015	Egypt,  South Africa	CounterStrike: GO	1–0
2015	11 July 2015	Austria,  South Africa	FIFA '15	6–0	2015	27 March 2015	South Africa,  Zimbabwe	FIFA '15	2–0
2014	25 October 2014	Namibia,  South Africa	Dota 2	0–2	2014	4 October 2014	Finland,  South Africa	StarCraft II	2–0
2014	4 October 2014	Finland,  South Africa	DotA 2	2–0	2014	8 August 2014	Egypt,  South Africa	DotA 2	2–0
2013	8 September 2013	Mexico,  South Africa	DotA 2	0–1	2013	31 July 2013	Romania,  South Africa	DotA 2	1–0
2013	31 March 2013	Romania,  South Africa	StarCraft II	2–0
2010	8 December 2010	Namibia,  South Africa	FIFA '10	0–2	2010	8 December 2010	Namibia,  South Africa	Call of Duty 4	0–1
2010	16 April	Greece,  South Africa	Ancients	60–68	2008	6 December 2008	Sweden,  South Africa	DotA	2–0
2006	14 April 2006	Greece,  South Africa	Ancients	46–80	2006	13 April 2006	Finland,  South Africa	Ancients	24–102
2005	22 April 2005	Australia,  South Africa	Ancients	64–62	2005	21 April 2005	United Kingdom,  South Africa	Ancients	80–46
2003	10 March 2003	United Kingdom,  South Africa	Ancients	100–26	2003	6 March 2003	United States,  South Africa	Ancients	92–34
2002	19 February 2002	United Kingdom,  South Africa	Ancients	68–58	2001	6 April 2001	United States,  South Africa	Ancients	46–80
2001	5 April 2001	Italy,  South Africa	Ancients	1–95	2001	5 April 2001	United Kingdom,  South Africa	Ancients	112–14
2000	8 April 2000	United Kingdom,  South Africa	Ancients	85–41	1999	30 September 1999	United Kingdom,  South Africa	Ancients	84–42
1998	15 October 1998	United Kingdom,  South Africa	Ancients	77–49	1996	2 October 1996	England,  South Africa	Ancients	1085–385
1994	28 September 1994	England,  South Africa	Ancients	768–2375	1994	29 September 1994	United Kingdom,  South Africa	Ancients	440–1565

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

The following South Africans have served on international committees:

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