Durban’s own Shreeya Mahadeo: A young chess prodigy’s journey to the Commonwealth Championships

Loading player...
At just 15-years-old, Shreeya Mahadeo stands as one of South Africa’s most promising young chess talents. A pupil at Durban Girls' College, her journey began at the age of seven when her father, Sebastian, first introduced her to the game. Since then, her passion and determination have propelled her to the international stage, where she will soon represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Chess Championships in Malaysia.

Shreeya’s path has not been without obstacles. She recalls moments of discouragement, particularly when international tournaments felt out of reach due to financial challenges. “I felt demotivated when it came to international trips because we couldn’t actually afford it,” she shares. However, the launch of her BackaBuddy campaign has reignited her hope. “Now that we’ve started the BackaBuddy campaign, I have the opportunity to learn, gain experience, and represent my country, something I’m really happy to do.”

Listen to the full conversation!
6 Nov English South Africa Society & Culture · Personal Journals

Other recent episodes

Pink wafers vs chocolate anything: The Choice Assorted debate

J Sbu's trip to the mall today had him thinking hard about a certain box of biscuits that usually only come around toward the end of the year - Choice Assorted. After sharing his favourite biscuit, Stacey Norman, Sports Lead Nick Tatham and Shaina-Rae (in for traffic reporter Andi James),…
6 Nov 7 min

Vacation: Relaxation or exploration? Here's what you said...

The travelling season is upon us and some people go on holiday to do absolutely nothing. Others pack three backpacks and lose their sleep chasing sunsets. This afternoon on the Great Drive Debate Stacey and J Sbu asked you: Which kind of holiday actually makes you better, the rest or…
4 Nov 12 min

Black Friday: Are you a smart shopper or impulsive buyer?

Black Friday is just a couple of weeks away, and shoppers across South Africa are already gearing up for one of the biggest retail events of the year. It’s that time when deals flood our timelines. When the discounts start flashing, do you stick to your budget and shop smart,…
3 Nov 11 min

Confession: Stained undies and a 'dying' marriage

Every Thursday around this time, we detail some of the wildest confessions from the streets of Mzansi. We get YOU to weigh in on your unfiltered thoughts. Anonymous said: "I used to think marriage was the dream, flowers, surprise dates, happily ever after. What a joke. Now my life is…
30 Oct 10 min