CHESS in township schools has flourished thanks to Beier Industries. A few years ago, Hans Beier, the chairman of Beier Industries, was struck by the benefits of chess for young minds. These include developing strategic thinking, consequential thinking and problem-solving skills.
As a result, the Beier Industries group of companies contracted a chess coach to teach chess in schools. The focus has increasingly been on schools within under-privileged areas.
Beier Industries recently held its annual chess championships tournament between the schools that participate in its chess programme at the KK Hall in KwaDabeka. The tournament involved township schools from KwaDabeka and KwaSanti.
The chess coach and event co-ordinator, Mbongeni Sithole, presided over the tournament. “I was advised that it was by far the biggest chess tournament ever to be hosted in the Clermont area,” said Sithole.
The tournament was played over five rounds using the Swiss format. Each team was composed of six players. There were more than 70 players who participated in this event.
“The going was tough for the teams due to a high standard of competition and after seven hours of chess, we eventually had our winners,” said Sithole.
The winning high school was Sithokozile Secondary School. First-placed primary school was Bahlebonke Primary School from KwaSanti and second was Khuluqgame Primary School in KwaDabeka.
From the tournament, twelve participants were selected to represent Pinetown in the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) games trials at the Umlazi Indoor Centre.
“It was a big event and great for the community. These events would never be possible without the support of the local community,” said Sithole.
Due to the benefits of chess for the development of young minds, Hans Beier has plans to expand the programme by teaming up with other companies in Pinetown, New Germany and Highway areas. Should your company wish to get involved in the programme, contact Winston Owen or Vuyiswa Hlatshwayo on 031 710 0400.
Since the success of the tournament, Thulani Makhathini and Sizwe Ndlovu from Sithokozile Secondary School and Khwezi Buthelezi from Bahlebonke Primary School were selected to represent eThekwini District in the SALGA games to be hosted by Ilembe district in December.
Khwezi Buthelezi was also selected to represent eThekwini in the seventh annual Jacob Zuma chess tournament for scholars in Nkandla on 20 December.
“If we are to truly develop chess in townships, big chess tournaments like this one must be hosted there frequently. What Beier Industries is doing is making a real difference in the lives of the youngsters that are participating in the programme,” added Sithole.
