Lenasia Chess Academy and Lenasia Ext 3 Library has established a partnership to collaborate in executing a chess club programme. The library offers space for chess club members to gather and play chess on a regular basis. Lenasia Chess Academy, for its part, encourages its members to join the library and engage in library activities. The Lenasia Ext 3 Library has been hosting the chess club on Wednesday afternoons. The average attendance has been between 10 and 15 individuals.
So far, the collaboration has proved to be incredibly fruitful to both the library and the chess club.
According to Ahmed Saloojee, the Vice-Chairperson of the Lenasia Chess Academy, the club has been in operation for over 20 years and now boasts over 80 members from all walks of life.
“It has always been a challenge to have venues available for our chess meetings. We are extremely grateful to the City of Johannesburg and Lenasia Ext 3 Library for providing a safe space for our members, particularly the youth, to engage in constructive extracurricular activities such as chess,” Saloojee said.
Chess is an immensely useful pastime for adults and youngsters. It develops and improves cognitive brain function such as problem-solving, creative thinking, strategic planning, pattern recognition and memory.
Chess may also boost IQ levels while teaching sportsmanship and fostering self-confidence. It’s also a lot of fun to play.
“We are delighted with the partnership with Lenasia Chess Academy. The reception from library users has been incredibly positive, and we are excited to attract new library members from Lenasia Chess Academy,” said Ferhaad Vally, a Senior Library Assistant at Lenasia Ext 3 Library.
“I recall chess games being a regular activity at the local library in the neighbourhood I grew up in when I was in primary school, so these chess club meetings are very sentimental to me,” he said.
Thembelihle Gumbi, a chess player and library user, is one of the club’s vibrant young members. “I am overjoyed to be able to attend these chess sessions at the library since I have always wanted to learn how to play chess but have never had anyone to teach me.
“The players here are incredibly friendly and helpful. I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from them,” she said.
Written by Ntombifuthi Junerose Nkosi
8/12/2022
