PHOTO ESSAY
From boardslides to kickflips — Mamelodi Skate Club grinds poverty to empower youth through skateboarding
Mamelodi Skate Club has big community goals. They plan to open a skatepark in Mamelodi that can also serve as an educational centre, providing homework assistance and access to resources for local children.
The resources to open the park are in place, and a suitable location has been identified; all that’s needed is the allocation of space to Tateni Community Care Services, the non-governmental organisation under which the skate club falls.
A keen skateboarder at he Mamelodi Skate Club School Holiday Programme. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
According to Poelo Mofolo (29), a member of Tateni, they are a community-based NGO founded in 1995 by residents dedicated to alleviating poverty for the people of Mamelodi.
Thomas Nkosi (left) and Poelo Mofolo assist a child during the Mamelodi Skate Club School Holiday Programme. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
“We care for the aged, orphans and vulnerable children, school leavers and youth,” says Mofolo.
Thomas Nkosi, a volunteer, leading children in exercises during the Mamelodi Skate Club School Holiday Programme at Mamelodi Beer Hall Skatepark on 7 December, 2023 in Mamelodi. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
One of the reasons Tateni want to open a permanent skatepark is to expand their school holiday programme, which provides skate lessons for beginners two to three times a week during school holidays. This initiative, catering to children from various schools in Mamelodi East and West, is part of the comprehensive programme offered by Tateni Community Care Services.
Poelo Mofolo assists a child during the holiday programme. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
The venue they are currently using in Mamelodi West is an old basketball court that is too small for the amount of interested children.
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“We are only allowed to have a few participants at a time, which makes the venue “exclusive” instead of being “inclusive” says Mofolo.
Selina Masia shows her enthusiasm for skateboarding. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
The venue is closed on weekends which means the club can’t host events like skateboarding competitions and other workshops at a time when young people could participate.
The school holiday programme relies on volunteers to teach the kids. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
“Having a permanent skatepark would allow skateboarders from Mamelodi to have their own space where we can have permanent skate obstacles that would allow skateboarders to practice and progress in the sport”.
The Mamelodi Skateboard Club uses the basketball court during their holiday programme. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
Skateboarding promotes physical activity and provides a safe space for children to play and learn according to Mofolo. The skate club and lessons form part of Tateni’s broader youth programmes. They provide food parcels and focus on after-school initiatives like aiding children with their homework.
Poelo Mofolo highlights the transformative power of skateboarding. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
For members without access to skateboards and equipment, an innovative approach is taken. Participants can earn points by contributing to vegetable gardens at Tateni, which can then be exchanged for skateboards and other items. This system encourages participation and instils a sense of responsibility.
The Mamelodi Skate Club School Holiday Programme provides fun opportunities for the youth. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
Mofolo highlights the transformative power of skateboarding, emphasising its ability to expose individuals to diverse cultures and people. Mofolo believes that skateboarding teaches resilience, emphasising the importance of getting back up after a fall — a lesson applicable to life’s challenges.
Children helping each other during the Mamelodi Skate Club School Holiday Programme. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
The skate lessons owe their success to dedicated volunteers from the skate club like Thomas Nkosi, who contribute their time and expertise to the programme. One of the club’s more experienced skaters, BJ Maleka, aged 15, talks about the positive impact of skateboarding on his life.
The holiday programme encourages participation and instils a sense of responsibility. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
Having been skating since 2019, Maleka shares that skateboarding is not only fun but also keeps him out of trouble. DM
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So great to see. Skateboarding is an amazing way for kids to gain self belief and learn the importance of perseverance. Besides having to deal with pain regularly (unlike rugby there are no soft landings;), mastering tricks takes hours of practise and a massive level of commitment.
Finally – DM reports not only on the darker sides of South Africa, the problems, the shortcomings. But on something positive, something “grown in the township”, something promising!
What an amazing story – and what an amazing dedication to take care of kids where their parents fail them (sometimes unavoidably, often not caring …). I hope Mr. Mofolo gets lots and lots of support!