Mike Pantsi's chess initiative at Indlela Mental Health in New Brighton, Gqeberha, is transforming young lives.

In the golden light of a quiet afternoon in Gqeberha's New Brighton township, a cluster of wooden chess sets occupies a sunlit corner in a tiny container classroom.

Mike Pantsi, a man often described as a community renaissance figure, presides over the small board with quiet authority. Around him, youngsters with intellectual disabilities lean forward, deep in thought - or delight.

Pantsi wears too many hats to fit neatly into any box. Years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, the loss of his only child, he made a solemn vow to continue nurturing his community's children as if they were his own. "They are mine too," he says simply.

It was this heartfelt resolve that led him to Indlela Mental Health, a nonprofit organisation in Gqeberha, after weeks of research. This landmark organisation was established in 1939 to serve those with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, and not discriminating against any person.

Indlela provides inclusive, community-based services ranging from social inclusion awareness campaigns and therapeutic support through its Ilizwi initiative, to residential psychosocial rehabilitation through the Siyaphambili initiative. Youth skills development takes place...