Celebrating Queens in the Helderberg ♟
Moms & daughters shine at a day of chess, community, and fun
The Helderberg Chess Club was buzzing with excitement this past weekend as moms and daughters gathered for a day that was about more than chess—it was about community, inspiration, and a whole lot of fun.
From the moment the doors opened, the boards were busy. People sat down to play casual games, setting the tone for a day filled with laughter, learning, and connection. The snack table – generously stocked by the moms, were overflowing, so much so that it was impossible to eat everything.
Adding to the festive spirit, Nikoleen’s chess goodies stall did brisk business throughout the morning, with families snapping up accessories to keep the chess buzz alive at home.
The heart of the day came with the speeches. Dorothy Potgieter and WIM Khadidja Latreche each took the stage and delivered words that were both powerful and deeply inspiring. Their passion for chess and their belief in the potential of our kids was contagious – the moms hung on every word, nodding and smiling as if to say, “yes, this is why we’re here.”
Meanwhile, the kids had their own world of fun. The craft corner kept little hands busy with creative projects, and Alyssa’s face-painting corner became an instant hit. Children lined up eagerly, and by the end of the afternoon the room was filled with knights, pawns, queens, and kings – pure chess magic on happy faces.
And then came the grand finale: the bughouse tournament. Loud, chaotic, and absolutely hilarious, it was the perfect way to end the day. The laughter, cheering, and friendly shouting made it clear – this wasn’t just chess, this was joy in its purest form. Even Henry Steele (Khadidja’s husband) took part in this with their youngest daughter… he suggested Beauty and the Beast for their team name, but grudgingly had to agree to being a “Kitten” instead.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our generous sponsors for backing this initiative, and to the powerhouse women who made the day possible: Dorothy, our matriarch and motivator; Nikoleen, who balanced everything from finances to sponsors and lucky draws; Henriette, whose vision sparked the Women’s Day idea; Chantelle, who MC’d with flair and jumped in wherever she was needed; Simone, who swooped in to secure us a new venue and keep everything running; and Naomi, who captured the day through her lens while also serving as an all-rounder organizer. This day shone because of you.
What made this event truly special was the sense of togetherness. Women from across the Helderberg stood shoulder to shoulder, supporting their daughters and each other. As one mom said, “This is exactly what our kids -and we- needed.”
The Helderberg Chess Club has always been about more than just pieces on a board. With events like this, it’s clear the club is growing into a hub of inspiration, creativity, and unstoppable community spirit.
Our sponsors for the Goodie Bags:
Cindy Herbst for arranging sanitizer from Megan and Salvation sting serum from https://www.facebook.com/share/1MhSSWaFJW/
Jollie Bester from https://www.facebook.com/share/177mZXJi93/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Lize Marais from https://www.facebook.com/share/1LY9YwN7dV/
Tania Hough from Phoenixbeautysa
Mandy Bevan from https://www.facebook.com/share/19eyvvFH7S/
Khadidja for arranging for the girls who participated will get a gold membership for chesskid.com sponsored by Her Move Africa https://hermoveafrica.org/
