Khayelitsha chess master makes his move with academy

CHESS master Sidwell Mayekiso was so determined to begin a chess academy in Khayelitsha that he used money from his disability grant to fund trips to tournaments.

When Mayekiso and his wife, Zingiswa, moved to Cape Town in 2016, they saw how easily young children were being lured into a life of gangsterism and drugs; and they wanted to make a difference.

This is how the 2 Knights Chess Academy began in 2017.

“I realised that I wanted to impart my knowledge of chess to the younger generations,” he said.

“This is why we started 2 Knights Chess Academy. I want to change their lives, which is why I taught them how to play chess and how to play it well.”

At first he was forced to use his disability grant of R1 500 to pay for transport to and from championships and to register for tournaments. The transport was R900 at the time, which ate up most of his grant.

“I told my wife I want to sacrifice that money because the parents have made it known that they cannot afford it,” he said.

Today, Mayekiso doesn’t need to use his disability grant anymore, thanks to the assistance of local NPO Ikamva Labantu through its Ikamva Ventures programme. The programme aims to support change-makers in communities to build community resilience and strength.

As a child, the chess lover was diagnosed with polio which caused him to become wheelchair-bound at a young age. While he attended physiotherapy he began to learn how to play chess.

“My love for the game has only grown since then.”

The 54-year-old said he wouldn’t allow his disability to stop him from giving back to his community.

“In our communities, we need to make a difference. Whether you are disabled or not, you can still contribute.”

He added: “I want to see these kids

being able to pay forward the skills and any other location that makes Championship in Panama City in that I have taught them.” space available. Before the pandemic, 2019. But the pandemic put paid to He said other disabled people Mayekiso had a rotation of up to 150 their chances of playing overseas. played active sports like basketball pupils of all school-going ages. Today, Another top performer from the but that wasn’t for him. he has 60 students. academy, Bongolethu Ncethelo, plays

“I chose chess as my choice of Two of Mayekiso’s students, Thimna chess for the Western Province with a sport,” he said. Angel Choli and Solulele Diniso, were rating of 1 500. The 2 Knights Chess Academy is selected to represent South Africa at Mayekiso said the gratitude from hosted at Impendulo Primary School the World Schools Individual Chess his students and their parents was all the reward he needs.

“Parents cannot stop saying thank you and that warms my heart so much.

He would love to own his own chess school.

“I want a place where they can practice chess but also a safe space where they can spend time away from the distractions of the outside world.”