An 11-year-old girl from Crossroads, Amahle Zenzile, has been given a chance to represent South Africa at the African Youth Chess Tournament in Namibia in December.
Crossroads Chess Club coach Thando Hlakula, who also coaches Amahle, could not hide his excitement.
He said Amahle joined the club in 2017 and immediately had an impact.
He described her as a “shy person” who does not talk a lot, especially in front of people she does not know.
Hlakula said those are the qualities that makes her one of the best players in the sport because she analyses situations very well.
He added that she is a fast learner and although she is very young, she is very matured.
He said she participated in the South African Junior Closed Chess Championships in Johannesburg in March where she made it to the top five. She was then selected to represent the country in Namibia.
She is the first one from the club to get the honour of representing the country.
Hlakula said Amahle’s success means a lot to her and the club and it will inspire other players to do well in the sport.
“This means a lot, not just for her and her family, but the community as well because it is something positive coming out of the community that is known for bad things,” he said.
She is leaving for Namibia on Saturday 14 December.
