In a powerful display of corporate social responsibility and sports development, Minerva Risk Advisors and the Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) descended upon Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison this past Friday.
The visit was a celebratory mission to honour the Zimbabwe inmate chess team for their stellar performance on the international stage during the 2025 season.
The team has become a beacon of reform and intellectual prowess, securing the top spot in both the men’s and women’s categories at the African Continent Championship.
Furthermore, the men’s team proved their mettle globally, clinching a remarkable 4th place in the online Intercontinental Championship. To mark these achievements, Minerva provided the athletes with food hampers and official Zimbabwe chess team regalia.
Minerva Risk Advisors, the nation’s leader in risk management, insurance, and pensions, has sponsored the initiative since 2021.
For Lydia Tanyanyiwa, CEO of Minerva Risk Advisors, the partnership is about breaking the stigma surrounding the incarcerated.
"We believe that we need to give back to the communities and we recognise that the correctional services and inmates are generally overlooked," Tanyanyiwa said.
"Most corporates go for football or for other bigger causes and we feel that the inmate communities are marginalised and they are not given many opportunities.
“There is always a stigma around communicating or being associated with the inmates, but we believe that this is a very powerful way to show that we support them and the efforts of the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS)."
Tanyanyiwa challenged other business leaders to look toward the general good of the nation rather than just mainstream marketing.
"The investment that we make here is not a lot. For instance, at the moment they need four high-speed laptops. I would ask my fellow CEOs and leaders in the business communities to find out what the needs are.
“Collectively, if we all put in US$2,000 each... that will go a long way in helping equip the chess team behind the walls."
The ZCF has been instrumental in providing the technical structure for these players to compete. ZCF president Todd Mapingire emphasised that the program is a vital tool for reintegration into society.
"As Zimbabwe Chess Federation, we are so proud to be associated with ZPCS and Minerva," Mapingire said.
"One of the things that we are told is that everyone is a candidate for jail. We are just trying to show that everyone is important to the game of sports, whether you are outside, inside, or at the school level."
Mapingire noted that the discipline required for chess translates directly to character building within the prison walls.
"Today they are behind bars, tomorrow they are outside. We have actually had to integrate and mingle with some of those that were behind bars and they are now coming to our open tournaments.
“We are excited with this gesture from Minerva and ZPCS... the game has got a lot of discipline and it is actually helping them maintain good order."
The success of the inmates at the 2025 championships serves as a reminder that talent knows no boundaries, and with the right support, even those "behind the walls" can fly the Zimbabwean flag high.