Tinotenda Hove – First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has been appointed patron of the Zimbabwe Chess Federation’s junior programme, a move the federation believes will strengthen efforts to nurture young chess players and expand opportunities for children from disadvantaged communities.

The announcement coincides with the departure of four pupils from Sengwa Primary School in Gokwe, who are travelling to Stellenbosch, South Africa, to represent Zimbabwe at the African Schools Chess Championship taking place from July 6 to 11.

The tournament will feature young competitors from more than 30 African countries, with top performers earning qualification for world championships.

Zimbabwe Chess Federation president Todd Mapingire said the First Lady accepted the federation’s request to support its junior programme, particularly children from vulnerable backgrounds.

“We approached the First Lady and requested that she becomes patron of our chess programme for children from vulnerable communities. We are grateful that she accepted this role.”

He added: “Her appointment as patron of these young chess players reflects her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children, particularly girls.”

Mapingire said Dr Mnangagwa’s work in supporting vulnerable children has inspired the federation’s efforts to promote chess as a platform for education and personal development.

“Through the work she has been doing to empower and uplift vulnerable children, she has demonstrated a genuine passion for creating opportunities for them to realise their full potential,” he said.

He also noted that more girls are now taking part in chess, helping to break a long-standing trend where boys dominated competitions.

“Most tournaments were dominated by boys, but we made a request that girls should also be supported so they are included,” he said.

According to Mapingire, seeing learners from rural Gokwe represent Zimbabwe is motivating other children to believe they can also compete internationally.

“When a child from Gokwe can travel to represent the country, it motivates others. Even the girls had doubts at first, but now they are gaining confidence,” he said.

He said the federation hopes Zimbabwean girls will continue making an impact on the continental stage.

“We promised the First Lady that we will show other nations that a girl can do it. It starts in Zimbabwe and spreads to others. We are leading the way,” he said.

The young players described the trip as a life-changing opportunity.
Grade Seven learner Makanaka Chirefu said chess had improved both her confidence and academic performance.

“I am overjoyed. Chess has helped me improve my mathematics because it has strengthened my problem-solving skills. I started playing in 2024 and have travelled to Kwekwe, Gweru and Zvishavane, and now I am going to South Africa.”

“I feel both excited and nervous at the same time. I never imagined that I would play chess or even have the opportunity to fly in an aeroplane. When I come back, I want to teach other children,” she said.
Rebecca Siposo said the journey would also be her first experience travelling by air.

“I am happy that we were selected to fly. This is my first time at an airport. I used to see other children leaving and returning with medals, and I told myself that I should also give it a try.”

Grade Five pupil Dorcas Gwariro thanked the First Lady for making the trip possible.
“We would like to thank our Amai, the First Lady, for making it possible for us to reach this point. She often says there is nothing that boys can do that girls cannot do, and she has shown us that this is true,” she said.

Her teammate, Vimbai Bhamu, added: “I am very happy to have reached this stage.”
Teacher Colleta Bamu said the tournament presents an important opportunity to demonstrate that girls can excel in a sport often regarded as male-dominated.

“Chess is usually perceived as challenging because it requires children to think critically. There are still relatively few girls playing the game, but more children are beginning to understand and appreciate it.”

“Chess also helps learners improve academically. Our girls are performing well, even against boys. Our First Lady has greatly boosted our confidence,” she said.
School head Dera Simon praised the support extended to learners from the remote rural school.
“We would like to sincerely thank our patron, the First Lady, for assisting us here in rural Gokwe to compete in chess at the international level.”

“We have been greatly uplifted as a school, and the entire community is celebrating this achievement,” he said.

The African Schools Chess Championship serves as a pathway to higher-level international competitions, with Zimbabwe hoping its young representatives will make a strong impression while inspiring more girls across the country to embrace the sport.