David MacEnulty in Durban
By Desmond Rooplal (event coordinator of Mr MacEnulty’s Durban trip)
David MacEnulty, the man whose work with children in a New York school in the
South Bronx inspired Arts and Entertainment to produce the movie Knights
of the South Bronx, which starred Ted Danson.
Ted Danson starred in the inspiring true story of inner-city English teacher
David MacEnulty, a true story of heroism and inspiration. The movie depicts
one man’s struggle to better the lives of underprivileged children from
the South Bronx. By teaching these children chess, he transforms their lives
and the lives of thousands of other kids, their families, and their neighborhoods.
A&E Network co-produced the film with Fox Television Studios (FtvS).
In Knights of the South Bronx David MacEnulty strenuously argued that
chess was not just a game but a set of mind skills that would enable children
to face challenges they would encounter in their lives. They not only learned
the art of competition, but triumphed by beating private school teams across
the entire country.
On the 9 of August 2007, the real-life David MacEnulty arrived in Durban to
promote the Chess for Change programme, initiated by former Durbanite,
David Berman; founder of New York based hedge fund Durban Capital.
David MacEnulty (right) with his biggest fan – event coordinator Desmond
Rooplal
In his short, but very intense stay in Durban, MacEnulty helped us (DMCA –
Durban Metro Chess Academy) promote chess and the benefits of playing chess
towards education and society as a whole. He gave talks to parents, school
principals, teachers and children at schools that where similar to those in
Knights of the South Bronx.
DMCA’s motto: Push Pawns! Not Drugs! DMCA strives to develop chess in Durban
and the surrounding disadvantaged areas.
South Africa – as seen on Google Earth
David also did a six hour training workshop with DMCA members – where he showed
them how to relate to and teach chess to grade 1 and 2 children. MacEnulty’s
short stay in Durban helped us plant vital seeds for developing chess in Durban
and the Province of Kwa Zulu Natal.
An aerial shot of the city of Durban and it’s port
DMCA members with their chess hero after a training workshop. At Sivananda
High School. The lady to the right of David MacEnulty (blue shirt and vest),
Rivka Hermelin, completed her Masters Degree in Education – the thesis was on
how chess improves your maths skills.
168 enthusiastic chess kids queuing up to register – DMCA Chairman Bongani Mgaga
handling laptop
David opening the uShaka Rapid Chess Tournament
Tournament underway at uShaka Marine World
Desmond Rooplal vs David MacEnulty
A young GM in the making
I wonder whether I should I unleash my TN 1.e4!
Decisions… decisions
Ladies – Annamarie Geldenhuys and Keri Miller (newly converted to
chess) know a good player when they see one! Annamarie played a vital role in
sponsoring us the venue and other equipment to run the tournament.
David and Desmond enjoying lunch next to a shark tank – urmm, yes, shark
tank, with live two metre sharks!! What’s lunch? Or who?! Thank you David MacEnulty
for inspiring us!
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