Fairtrade Update - Chess Highlights

After being invited to the South African Junior Chess Championships (SAJCC) for two consecutive years, our u/15 and u/18 chess players are working hard at pushing up their ratings at the Cape Winelands Chess Federation in order to be invited back this year again.

Fifteen years ago Du Toitskloof Wines ventured on a Fairtrade journey - a project that would become one of the first of its kind and magnitude ever initiated in South Africa. One of the first projects was to open creches and play schools where the most important segment of our society could feel the benefits of financial premiums flowing in from wine sold under the Fairtrade label overseas. Now fifteen years later, these kids are not only receiving tertiary education, but excelling in one of the world’s most challenging games - chess.

On the 27th of April, 22 kids from our Fairtrade project entered to take part in the Cape Winelands Federation’s Open Chess Championships. The ages of the children ranged from 9 to 18 years old and for some of the youngsters it was the first time competing at this level. We were very happy to celebrate with Janine Fredericks who won first prize at the event.

These brave chess players don’t receive any formal training and sponsorships are always needed to fund this initiative. If you would like to get involved, contact us at info@dutoitskloof.co.za