MEET THE TEAM
WIM TSHEPANG TLALE
Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer
Woman International Master (WIM) is the second highest title awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to professional female chess players. At the age of 13, Tshepang became the youngest South African - as well as the only Black woman in the country - to earn this title, by ranking first in Africa for women in chess. At 17 she coached the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) women's chess team that ranked second in the country that year. Since then she's coached numerous individuals and teams of diverse ages and skill levels in South Africa, Turkey and the USA. This informed her decision to study Educational Psychology at BAU university in Turkey, after completing her BA at Wits University. She oversees operations at Chess Kidding, and creates our curriculum and coaching materials.
LERATO KADIAKA
Head Coach
Coach Lee is the chairperson of the Wits Chess Club and an active chess player who represents the University at inter-varsity tournaments and the University Sports South Africa (USSA) championships. She led the Wits Women's Chess team to silver at the 2023 USSA Chess Championships. Lerato was taught how to play by her dad when she was 6 years old and it has since been a personal escape from daily stressors for her. She is in her final year at the School of Education at Wits University, and is the head coach for children at Chess Kidding.
ADV. SEADIMO TLALE
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Seadimo is an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, and holds chambers at the Johannesburg bar. She holds an LL.B (cum laude) from Wits University, and an LL.M from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Seadimo represented South Africa at the World Youth Chess Championships (WYCC) in Vietnam in 2008, won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games for chess in 2011, and represented the country again as an adult at the World University Chess Championships (WUCC) in 2014.
KHOTSO MOLETA
Chief Content Creator
Khotso is passionate about immortalising happy memories and captures all of our magical moments at chess. Another passion of his is chess. He learnt chess at a young age and grew up playing competitively, including participating at the Chess South Africa Junior Chess Championships, where he represented the Northen Free State. He has also participated in the South African Chess Open, and has been instrumental in activating chess at Varsity College, where he completed his studies in Sports Management. At Chess Kidding he marries his two passions.
TLHOLOHELO HLAELE
Head of Marketing & Events Manager
Tlholohelo creates memorable and engaging events that ensure that every single Chess Kidding event is better than the last. She is an LL.B graduate of the University of Johannesburg, blending her legal background with a keen eye for detail and organisation. While Tlholohelo's connection to playing chess has been sporadic—despite Seadimo’s spirited attempts to encourage her to play more throughout their 22 years of friendship—Tlholohelo is a passionate advocate for the game’s impact. Now pursuing an LL.M, she brings both innovation and dedication to growing the Chess Kidding community.