Living Waters Primary School has emerged victorious in the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) Chess Festival for the fourth consecutive year. The tournament took place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at The George Hotel in Manzini, Eswatini. According to reports, the school's path to victory was not without challenges, as they faced a setback in Round 7 against their arch-rivals, Enjabulweni Schools.
Despite the setback, Living Waters Primary School made a strong recovery, thanks in part to the impressive performance of brothers Joseph and Zamar Chimanikire. The duo played a crucial role in helping their school overpower the competition and reclaim the top spot. Enjabulweni Schools put up a determined fight but ultimately finished as runners-up, collecting the silver medal.
Jabulile Primary School had a standout performance in the tournament, finishing third after years of placing fourth and fifth. Their coach and school principal expressed great joy at the result. The Tournament Director, William Siame, praised all nine participating schools for their endurance and commitment throughout the competition.
Siame also commended Living Waters Primary School for taking the sport seriously by hosting the event at The George Hotel. He noted that this demonstrated how chess continues to grow into a major sport in Eswatini. The final standings saw Living Waters Primary School accumulate 62 points, followed by Enjabulweni Independent School with 54 points.
Jabulile Primary School secured third place with 49.5 points, while Ubombo Primary School and Hlanganani Primary School finished fourth and fifth with 46.5 and 41.5 points, respectively. Other participating schools included Imbuyiselo Primary School, Khanyisile Primary School, Sifundzani Primary School, and Premier Independent School.
The ISASA Chess Festival is a highly competitive event that brings together top schools from the region. Living Waters Primary School's victory demonstrates their dedication and skill in the sport. The school's chess team has consistently performed well in previous tournaments, and their fourth consecutive win is a testament to their hard work and perseverance.
The success of Living Waters Primary School and other participating schools in the ISASA Chess Festival highlights the growing popularity of chess in Eswatini. The sport continues to attract talented players and enthusiasts, and events like this festival provide a platform for them to showcase their skills and compete against the best.
Key points
- Living Waters Primary School won the ISASA Chess Festival for the fourth consecutive year.
- The tournament took place on October 3, 2026, at The George Hotel in Manzini, Eswatini.
- Jabulile Primary School finished third in the tournament, marking a significant improvement from previous years.
