Photo Credit: Superikonoskop www.Wikipedia.org/winniemadikizela.Mandela.

The 3rd of April, 2018 saw the members of Africa Chess  (an online WhatsApp group) honouring the departed soul of the late Africa Matriarch Winnie Madikizela Mandela who died on the 2nd of April, 2018 after a protracted illness at the Netcare Milpark Hospital.

The event which replaced the daily Africa Chess Arena on lichess.org had over 60 players in attendance and this was dubbed ‘Africa Winnie Mandela Arena’.

The time format adopted was the 3+0 blitz and was played for 1 hour , 20 minutes.

After the keen contest, lichess user Siljukic came first with 34 points, Manfromspain( a Nigerian) with 32 points came second and Nubian another Nigerian completed the podium finish with 29 points.

This memorial tournament is the first in the series of events lined up to celebrate the life of Winnie.

Some of the games can be found at : https://lichess.org/tournament/lZJDLhjb

It is a great development to know that Chess a largely unpopular sports in Africa is the first sport to initiate this remembrance for our heroine.

Winnie Mandela is largely remembered for her great role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

Africa is proud of you Mama. Adieu!