The MCSA was founded in 1891[1]: 34  and hence is one of the oldest mountaineering clubs in the world.

Since its establishment, the MCSA has been embedded with and reflected, the political ideology and interests of the social and governing class during the colonial and segregation eras.

[2] This situation prevailed for most of the apartheid era, when the club finally opened its membership to all, regardless of race and the first black member was admitted in 1986.

[3] Members of the MCSA have climbed and hiked on all the major mountain ranges throughout the world.

The club consists of 14 sections spread over South Africa and Namibia and with more than 4000 members.