Just over a decade after former teacher Rassie Durais started the chess tournament, the event has grown by leaps and bounds, increasing from just 15 participants to more than 150 learners.

On June 24, Rewlatch Primary School hosted the Kajol Naidoo Rewlatch Chess Tournament Programme 2026, with four schools invited to participate: Regents Park Primary, Turffontein Primary, Suidheuwels Primary and Vinridge House High.

Welcoming the learners, Durais told them that chess is one of the greatest sports because it challenges the mind and requires strategic thinking.

This was the fifth tournament hosted at the school, with principal Arleen Steyn thanking Durais for pioneering the chess initiative at Rewlatch Primary School.

“He started this, and it has helped motivate and stimulate learners to think outside the box. Chess also improves learners’ performance in mathematics and literacy, while developing their problem-solving skills,” she said.

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Just over a decade after former teacher Rassie Durais started the chess tournament, the event has grown by leaps and bounds, increasing from just 15 participants to more than 150 learners. On June 24, Rewlatch Primary School hosted the Kajol Naidoo Rewlatch Chess Tournament Programme 2026, with four schools invited to participate: Regents Park Primary, Turffontein Primary, Suidheuwels Primary and Vinridge House High. Full story on southerncourier.co.za

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“I salute all the learners participating in this tournament because chess is one of the best sports. It has helped them improve in many ways. They must play well because their best is good enough today. They must also remember that one person wins while the other learns,” Steyn added.

Broadcaster and digital creator Mboneni ‘Mr Stan’ Mulaudzi was among the guests and compared chess to life.

“In life, you are sometimes going to make a wrong move, but that does not mean it is the end. You have to learn from it and continue moving forward,” he said.