Susan Namangale’s journey with chess began in her small village of Chombo, Malawi, when she was just nine years old. Unlike her peers who spent their allowances on snacks, Namangale, inspired by her older sister, pooled her money with friends to buy two chessboards for their school.
Reflecting on her childhood, Namangale explains, “If my mother knew then what I had done with the little pocket money she had given me, I would have been in trouble.” Her love for the game not only deepened but also influenced her life direction. Now at 49, she is passionately dedicated to dismantling the notion that chess is a game reserved for the elite.
Through her initiative, Namangale has launched over 150 chess clubs across Malawi, serving students in rural schools, inmates in prisons, and street children in impoverished neighborhoods. “Chess is for everyone,” she states, believing in its power to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and social interaction among participants.
Her first encounter with chess occurred when her sister received a chessboard from Peace Corps volunteers. With her sister’s guidance, Namangale learned the rules and strategies of the game, but once her sister returned to school, she found herself alone without an opponent. This initial frustration turned into a driving force as she sought to share the joy of chess with others.
Namangale's efforts reflect a broader mission to instill hope and discipline in communities often overlooked. By offering chess not just as a game but as a tool for life skills development, she is engaging both younger and older generations to think critically and support one another.
With each chess club established, she is nurturing a new culture of learning and embedding the values of patience, strategy, and determination into the hearts of many Malawians. Today, the chess scene in Malawi, championed by Susan Namangale, stands as a testament to the idea that structured engagement through games can be an accessible and powerful path to empowerment for all.
