Lavender Hill laaities are making all the right moves to steer clear of gangsterism and drugs.
Amid the recent gang shootings in the area, the kids are playing chess as a positive outlet.
On Saturday, a group of 10 children aged 7 to 15-years-old took part in a round robin competition at the Lions Club in Plumstead.
Ralph Bouwers, a community activist and founder of the Guardians of the National Treasure, says: “The children of Lavender Hill need an outlet to express themselves and find their own path in life, so instead of them just being in the area and exposed to all the social ills, they can instead play sports like chess.”
In the week leading up to the tournament, Ralph says the kids could not contain their excitement.
“During the week, the children came to bang on my door to ask if they could borrow my chess board overnight so that they could practise.
“On the day, I told them that they must come to me at 10am but they were there by 6.30am.
“They were all excited but when we got there, it's almost like they went into deep focus.”
Cape of Good Hope Lions Club president Heather Lee, says she was impressed.
“I was amazed that children at such a young age could express such a love for chess,” she says.
“They were so passionate about the game and during the prize-giving they were just so proud of their achievements, the people of the community helping them have really done a good job.”
Ralph says the kids played each other, there was no “winner” and everyone received a prize.