FIDE delegation lead by Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, continues the transformative journey across Africa  as part of the FIDE Chess4all WOM project. At the end of March, it visited Botswana and the Republic of South Africa to better tap the development needs of each member federation, promote FIDE social initiatives, secure support of country’s officials to professional & educational chess and explore possibilities to host FIDE events. 

On her trip to Botswana, the Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board was accompanied by Ms Tshepiso Lopang-Africa Chess Confederation President, Botswana Chess Federation President Mr Mooketsi Segaise, Member of the FIDE Medical Commission Dr Onkemetse Francis, and Member of the FIDE Fairplay Commission Ms Kutlwano Tatolo.

Upon the arrival in the country, Dana Reizniece-Ozola had official meetings with Colonel Botsang Tshenyego, President of Botswana Olympic Committee, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Regional Vice President-Africa & Mr.Peaceful Seleka, Sport Development Officer of Botswana National Sports Commission. Later this day, Dana gave a simul to young Botswana players.

Later this day, Dana gave a simul to young Botswana players. On her trip to the country, the Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board was accompanied by Ms Tshepiso Lopang-Africa Chess Confederation President, Botswana Chess Federation President Mr Mooketsi Segaise, Member of the FIDE Medical Commission Dr Onkemetse Francis, and Member of the FIDE Fairplay Commission Ms Kutlwano Tatolo.

The next stop was South African Vredenburg, where she delivered a short inspirational speech to kids in the local Holiday Chess Programme in Vredenburg. Mr Andre Lewaks, President elected for Chess SA, has worked with children to keep them off the streets. Mr Lewaks was instrumental in arranging all the meetings during this trip.

One of the key highlights of the visit was a meeting with Charmaine Laubscher, Executive Deputy Mayor of Saldanha Bay Municipality, and Jonathan Kilroe-Smith, Group CEO at Club Mykonos Resort Langebaan. Dana Reizniece-Ozola expressed her appreciation for their interest in supporting social chess programs, such as Infinite Chess (chess for kids with ASD), educational chess, and chess for seniors, and thanked them for their invaluable support to women's chess.

Dana also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Mrs. Natasha Opperman, President of the West Coast Chess Union for her great input in educational chess development and empowering girls.

Later, FIDE delegation met with Lyndon Bouah, a passionate chess historian and Chief Director of Sport & Recreation for the Western Cape Government and Mr. George Butau from Khayelitsha, who has brought chess to over 300 underprivileged children.

Later that day, the Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board made a presentation on Chess for Freedom for the Malmesbury Medium A Correctional Centre officials. This correctional facility's team is looking forward to participating in the 4th Intercontinental Chess Championship for Prisoners this year.

Dana's visit culminated in the opening ceremony of the SA Closed Chess Championship 2024. As a guest of honor she made the first ceremonial move in the SA Women's Championship and after completion of the competition had the opportunity to engage in a working breakfast with the strongest female chess players of SA, marking a successful end to her visit.