ABOUT MIND SPORTS SOUTH AFRICA (MSSA):
Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is an affiliate of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and recognised by the Department of Sport and Recreation (SRSA) as the national controlling body in terms of the Sport and Recreation Act of 1998 (as amended). The said Act recognises Mind Sports South Africa as the sole authority for its disciplines as a sport and/or as a recreation in the Republic.
CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:
Through promoting the various disciplines and games, the MSSA has seen a marked improvement in the way in which the players see themselves. By having awarded National Colours, the MSSA has taken a positive step in enabling the human potential of South Africans.
In 2002 the MSSA had the pleasure to witness David Hlophe receive the President's Award (Silver Class) from The South African President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, at the President's residence in Cape Town.
Through the MSSA's policy of starting clubs at schools and universities, the MSSA has been able to assist financially disadvantaged players to study further. There is no doubt whatsoever that the mind-sports that we promote encourage a culture of learning among our players.
The culture of learning is borne out by the fact that 92% of all our players who are scholars intend to attend a tertiary level education institution, and that 89% of our players who have matriculated since 1994 have enrolled at such type of educational institution.
It goes without saying that Mind Sports South Africa aims at becoming demographically representative.
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). As a member of 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.
