Theresa Taylor
When the young men of Soweto were first introduced to chess, they didn’t understand it, but they were fascinated by it.
“Once the bug has bitten, you will search for the game wherever it can be found,” says Orlando Chess Club member Simon Moloko, who was one the original young men who began playing chess in the 1970s, when the game was first gaining popularity.
“We were a close-knit group, there were not many players,” Moloko said.
In that small group of enthusiasts was Arthur Kobese, father of South African international chess master Watu.
Almost four decades later, Moloko and his original chess buddies are still enthralled by the game and encouraging others. “They say chess is only for the intellectuals, but that’s a concept we want to kill,” said Moloko.
But the game does promote intellectual thinking. “No kid who can calculate chess moves will be found to be lacking in school subjects,” said Soweto chess teacher Mabutho Nkosi. “Calculations become part of the way he thinks.”
Nkosi was originally a draughts champion, but when he found he was beating everyone, he started with chess. Nkosi was the winner of the first Welcome Phatho Memorial tournament in Soweto 11 years ago. The tournament has run every year on December 16 in honour of Soweto chess enthusiast Welcome Phatho.
Another of the original chess group, Phatho was known not for being particularly good at the game, but for his formidable hospitality.
In the 1970s, Phatho allowed his garage to become an informal chess club. Chess greats from as far as the Netherlands and the Philippines played at his house, but, more importantly, until three years ago when he died, his home remained a haven for Soweto chess lovers.
“Welcome never parted ways without a joke,” said Moloko, adding that Phatho also had a charm and way of relating to people that transcended age. Moloko and Nkosi were 15 years younger than Phatho, but they never felt any difference between them.
Moloko and Nkosi have since gone on to become a medical specialist and an engineer respectively, and now help sponsor the tournament.
“We thought to ourselves, how can we thank this man who sustained us for so long?” said Moloko.
The Welcome Phatho Memorial Tournament will take place on December 16 at the Diepkloof Hall.
The entry fee for adults is R100 and R50 for under-16s. R10 000 in cash prizes is guaranteed.
For enquiries call Simon Moloko at 082 467 9278 or Chris Mamabolo at 082 570 4830.