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🇿🇦South Africa
Vice President – Technical
Andre Lewaks
South African · South Africa
President of Chess South Africa and seasoned social policy leader with over two decades of experience in community development, public participation, and youth empowerment.
Career Highlights
President of Chess South Africa (CHESSA)
Master of Arts in Child and Family Studies (UWC)
PhD Researcher at African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)
Over 20 years in social policy and community development
Former President of the Western Cape Chess Association
Credentials & Institutional Record
Academic & Research Qualifications
- •Qualification in Social Work from Huguenot College (University of South Africa).
- •Master of Arts (MA) in Child and Family Studies from the University of the Western Cape.
- •Postgraduate studies in Social Policy and Social Interventions at Utrecht University, Netherlands.
- •Currently pursuing a PhD in Child and Family Studies, focusing on strengthening the inclusion of fathers in policy and programmes in South Africa.
Professional & Public Leadership Career
- •Over 20 years of experience in community development, social policy, and public participation across government, civil society, and community-based structures.
- •Programme Manager for Children's Rights and Positive Parenting in South Africa; managed social development programmes in Uganda.
- •Extensive experience in policy development, programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder coordination, and community mobilisation.
- •Managed the Provincial Operational Centre for the Department of Social Development during the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
- •Experienced in conflict mediation, stakeholder dialogue, and building collaborative solutions across sectors and communities.
Chess Administration & Development
- •President of Chess South Africa.
- •Former President of the Western Cape Chess Association.
- •Former Deputy President of the West Coast Chess Union.
- •Promotes grassroots and school-level chess development, good governance, and youth participation.
- •Views chess as a powerful tool for education, cognitive development, discipline, and social transformation.