Unsung heroine in success of former professional chess player Jonathan Maliboho

There is an unsung heroine in the success of former professional chess player and founder of Hlalefang Alexandra Chess Club Jonathan Maliboho and her name is Jennifer Maunye.

Maunye was a guest at the opening ceremony of the club’s office at the Sankopano Centre and during Alex News’s casual chat with her discovered that she was a pillar of strength for Maliboho in many more ways than one, as she provided him with moral and financial support through the years.
Maunye, a neighbour of Maliboho on 17th Avenue, said she has known him since the days when he was a toddler at primary school and was already playing chess. “I would often fork out money for his travels to play chess outside the township as there were no clubs in our community,” Maunye said.

When he finally turned professional, Maunye said she still contributed the little she could to ensure that Maliboho meets his game obligations in the form of travel and pocket money to buy himself some refreshments on the road.

“I have been supporting him from small salary in my own small way and would love to keep our relationship well into the future,” she said, describing Maliboho as a humble boy who never lost his good manners even when he turned professional and exhibits love and patience for people of all ages, especially when he engages them in the sport.
“I will be one of those people that will be delighted when he finally realises his long-standing dream of developing chess players in his township community and take our children and youth off the streets and into a game of chess,” Maunye said.

Maunye said she will keep her fingers crossed for Maliboho to finally secure funding for the work he is doing within the community, especially with our children and youth who are being ravaged by drugs.

Related Article:

East Bank High School boys in Alexandra form a chess club