Two officers from Manenberg Police Station go beyond their call of duty, not only by serving the community in their precinct, but also mentoring interested youth in playing chess.
“This is part of celebrating Youth Month at Manenberg Police Station and we hope to shape the youth of the future,” said Sgt Percy Keyster. “In the heart of Manenberg, where resilience is a daily act of courage, we as police officers are doing more than enforcing the law; we are shaping the futures of the chess players.”
His journey with chess started in his hometown, Robertson, where he first discovered chess at primary school.
“More than a mere a pastime, it became a metaphor for life. Chess taught me patience, strategy and the importance of thinking ahead. These lessons later guided me through the ranks of the police, where I proudly represented the police at competitive tournaments.”
But it was Keyster’s deployment to Manenberg that truly tested and transformed him. “I came here not knowing what to expect. But what I found was a community full of potential, weighed down by hardship. Far from home, I immersed myself in the lives of the youth, recognising their struggles which mirrored mine,” explained Keyster.
He began mentoring young people, using chess as a tool to teach discipline, focus and the power of making the right move on the board and in life. One of his most memorable moments was during Child Protection Week, when he and a colleague taught children about safety and self-worth. “We taught the pre-schoolers to remember the 10111 emergency number. Seeing their eyes light up when they realised someone believed in them, that’s when I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.”
Const Joshua Plaat, equally driven, grew up in Heideveld and now serves the very streets that shaped and made him an officer of the law. A self-taught chess player and the eldest of five siblings, his leadership was forged early.
“My dream of becoming Manenberg’s chess master is more than personal; it’s symbolic. I want the youth to see that greatness can come from Manenberg.”
Together these officers are planting seeds of hope. “We believe every young person has a winning move in life,” said Keyster. “Our job is to help them see it.”
“In Manenberg, hope wears a badge and it plays chess,” said Capt Ian Bennett, spokesperson for Manenberg police. “We call on the community to join these officers in making a difference. To stand tall is not how high you can reach but how low you can bend to help a child.”
