Zamanyambose Mthethwa, a talented chess player from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), achieved an impressive second-place finish at the Chess Confederation of University and Colleges Sports Associations (CUCSA) 2024 Games. The tournament, held under the banner of University Sport South Africa (USSA), took place in Tshwane from Monday, 8 July to Friday, 12 July 2024.
She is currently a third-year student completing a Diploma in Shipping and Logistics and she was raised in Mtubatuba, KwaMsane township.
Her Chess journey started in 2016 where she saw a pop-up ad and decided to download the game.
“I played the game not knowing the rules of how to play it but since I’m a competitive person I eventually learned the rules and learnt how to play it the right way. When I entered high school, I was introduced to it through a friend of mine, I was shocked it’s a sport, I fell in love with the game ever since”, she alluded.
In her journey she has won two times best female for King Cetshwayo Chess Festival, represented KZN at the SAJCC where she got second position in the U20 in 2019. Under the DUT Chess Club she has won, DUT Chess Female Championships 2023, Dabeka two times Female Champion.
“Then my current biggest win was representing DUT as a South African chess player at the CUCSA. Where I won gold on board prize and silver as the ladies’ team,”she proudly said.
The Chess CUCSA trials were online on the 1st of July where they played a classical tournament consisting of five rounds and she managed to get second place, placing her in the SA ladies’ team.
Sharing her excitement, Mthethwa played four rounds and got 3,5 points placing her as the gold winner on the board prize.
Mthethwa’s highlights was learning new languages because even our SA team consisted of players from different ethnicities.
“I wish it enables me to get sponsorships to further my academics as I plan to pursue my Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Logistics at DUT and continue representing the DUT Chess Club with pride when given opportunity to do. I also hope to inspire girls in chess, to show them that this is not a men’s sport but a diverse sport that teaches the mind how to adjust to situations, how to be assertive and helps with coordination,” said Mthethwa.
In her closing remarks, she mentioned how grateful she was to her mother of whom she referred to as her number one fan for always supporting and funding her journey.
“I would like to give thanks to the Sport Administration unit at DUT for ensuring that all this that was once a dream, come to a reality, from the travelling to accommodation I couldn’t have asked for nothing more,” she said.
She also sent appreciation to her coach B. Mgobhozi and the teammates for always pushing her even at times where she felt like quitting chess.
Pictured: Zamanyambose Mthethwa with her medals at the CUCSA 2024 Games.
Photo: Supplied.
Sinethemba Njoko.
