Oudtshoorn, 23 August 2016 – On the 23rd of August 2016 the Provincial Minister of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports in the Western Cape Miss Anroux Marais handed over a set of six Chess board equipment, to the CJ Langenhoven Library in Oudtshoorn.
The Provincial Minister said “I wish to give this to all the libraries in the province. This equipment will help enhance the performance of children in schools and it will also help solve problems, as there are lots of problems to solve in this board game, one has to think about any move they make and take responsibility for that movement”.
The acting Director for Community Services, in the Oudtshoorn Municipality Mr. Thomas Matthee, was also present when the handing over took place. When asked for a comment of what he thinks of the activity that took place, he said, “I am very thankful and this equipment will help with the development of school children and the community in general; it will also contribute to uplifting and enhancing the community. I hope that the community will show appreciation by optimally utilising this equipment.”
Phumla Mfuku the acting Head of the Library was very happy to receive this equipment. She said, “This is a good project especially since a lot of people think that a library is a place for books and not chess as well. This chess project will develop and affect pupils positively, and thus we want them to access the equipment as much as possible.”
This Chess board equipment, according to MEC Marais, will develop the children in the Western Cape to help them think on their toes (fast), take action, take responsibility for their actions as well as develop and enhance their intellectual skills.
Also present in the handover were the Coaches of the Oudtshoorn Chess Club who will assist with the training programme.
IN THE PHOTO: Front (Seating FLTR): Shanique Loggenberg and Dorian Konstabel; Back (FLRT): Jurgen Coetzee (Coach and also the Chairperson of the Oudtshoorn Chess Club), Phumla Mfuku (Acting Manager: Library Services), Miss Anroux Marais (Minister for the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports), Thomas Matthee (Acting Director: Community Services Department) and Henry Sampson (Coach and also the treasurer of the Oudtshoorn Chess Club).