Smooth moves: Gugulethu chess coach’s no-fee college
Babalwa Rubusana, founder of the Gugulethu Chess College, is committed to sharing her passion for chess with children in underdeveloped areas. The skills they learn help them in their studies
Ano-fee mobile chess college run by Gugulethu-based founder Babalwa “Bash” Rubusana is providing schoolchildren in underdeveloped areas with the opportunity to learn chess.
Gugulethu Chess College provides lessons to learners at various local schools during the week, while also facilitating mass participation chess meetings and tournaments over weekends.
“I’ve learnt chess since I was in primary school … and it helped me a lot growing up because I was a very naughty kid. Growing up in the dusty streets of the township, chess assisted me in thinking, concentration, focusing and knowing when to take risks,” said Rubusana.
“I’ve realised I’ve got a passion for the sport … and I’ve got a passion for children’s development.”
Rubusana’s first student was her younger brother. When he started attending primary school, she provided lessons for the other pupils at the school.
In 2018, she left her nine-to-five job at the South African Revenue Service to found Gugulethu Chess College. Its mission is to equip children with fundamental skills that will improve their literacy, foresight and analytical abilities.
“At Gugulethu Chess College, we don’t only focus on chess. We also have academic assistance, whereby we focus on maths and languages. We also teach them IT [skills] because we always do online [chess] tournaments,” said Rubusana.
Rubusana teaches chess at six schools in Gugulethu and upwards of 200 children attend her weekend chess meets. At the weekend sessions, she takes on the responsibility of providing meals for her pupils.
“Most of the kids’ parents are unemployed… I’ve got excellent chess players who eat from the community soup kitchen,” she said.
“I’m not just a chess coach … I’m a mother to them. I’m a psychologist. I’m a social worker…
“These kids struggle with a lot of things. They don’t really have support at home. Sometimes you would find that the only time the child would do homework is when they come to the chess class.”
Rubusana refuses to charge fees for the training sessions, as she doesn’t want to see children unable to attend because of a lack of funds. Rather, she relies on donors and sponsors to keep the programme running.
Enriching youth
As part of her effort to grow the chess culture in Gugulethu, Rubusana founded the Bashment Chess Cup, and each year children represent their schools at the competition.
One of the schools at which Rubusana teaches chess is Luzuko Primary School. When she walks down the school’s hallways, learners run up to her and throw their arms around her waist, full of excitement.
Felicia Petshwa, principal of the school, told Daily Maverick that “once the children see Babalwa, they see chess”.
Petshwa’s grandson is one of the many learners at the school who attends Rubusana’s chess lessons. “I’ve seen a lot of benefits for him, especially when it comes to mathematics. I think chess has revived the memory, the creativity, the [ability to work] with numbers,” she said. “He’s also one of the learners who got the [Bashment] Cup… It’s very exciting.”