It’s cheque mate for draughts star for US

NGQUSHWA Municipality mayor Mnikelo Siwisa will today hand over much needed funds to provincial draughts champion Melikhaya Nonyukela.

As part of Mandela Month celebrations, Ngqushwa Municipality will celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day by helping the draughts man.

Siwisa will hand over R30 000 and sports gear to assist Nonyukela, who is from Cisira Location in Peddie.

The draughts star will be representing the country in the United States at the open tournament competition on July 24 and will also proceed to the world qualifier tournament on August 30.

“The municipality is assisting the Ngqushwa-born draughts player with funding towards his trip needs, making his dream a reality.

“Secondly, our partnership with Meals on Wheels NGO will also treat 500 elderly residents of Ngqushwa with lunch on the day,” said Siwisa.

Nonyukela is currently one of the best players in the country having played the game for over 30 years.

Last year Nonyukela finally won the national tournament that was hosted by the Eastern Cape Draughts Association in King William’s Town.

In that tournament he outplayed teammate and rival Lubabalo Kondlo in the final.

The third place in that competition went to Mzikabawo Luntonti, who secured the third spot after losing to Kondlo in the semifinal.