Managing Director Usama Ahmed Executive Editor Augustine Rutasingwa Contents Submission africaskateboardingdiary@gmail.com Issue 03 Louise Mayer Ahmed Krichene Tobias Egelkamp Nkosana Asheley Kamohelo Maphike Thabo Clement Doudou Noom Joshua Kim Gareth Green Maik Giersch Rechte Patrick Knoch Jomi Neo Nemo The views and options expressed in the editorial and advertisements within Africa Skateboarding Diary do not necessary reflects the opinions of Africa Skateboarding Diary nor of its any associates. www.africaskateboardingdiary.com
Chisanga David Nseluka is a 19 years old skateboarder born in Zambia, and he grew up skateboarding since he was young! For the past 8 years he described himself as his revolutionary years of his skateboarding of which he learnt to add more muscles on the matter of tricks and perfection.
“Hmm yeah. Well, back home we don’t have many spots and when you come here everywhere you look there’s a spot. And I mean everywhere. I just wish there were more skaters from back home here with me.” -Chisanga
When comparing China and Zambia, he misses back home His skateboarding journey started when his older to go skate down streets with homies and the culture back brother was in United Kingdom. He asked his brother home. for video games and he received the SSX, Tony Hawk Project 8 which was battle field. Tony Hawks Project Although these do not hold me back, I am working hard 8 got more of his attention, after he saw and I am making new cool skate friends here too. Nyjah Houston skate handrails and all. At that time, Nyjah was a small kid! Chisanga recently moved to China for studies, he describe his new home to be dope for skateboarding, “Yoo!! there’s so many skate spots here it’s amazing!” Chisanga currently is in Anshan Liaoning. The scene is not really big there but yet he managed to meet other skateboarders, longboarders and they are friendly. However is also getting much attention because people around are surprised to see a black dude skateboarding. This stands to signify that skateboarding is an international culture that has no discrimination. This new atmosphere is what makes Chisanga to believe his journey into Professional world of skateboarding has started again. The availability of good places to skate, public outdoor and indoor parks with local skate shops are adding up to what he couldn’t get easier access while in Zambia. As many other African countries, skateboarding facilities are limited and only few have access. With exclusion of South Africa and Morocco, other African skateboarding countries have a huge problem of getting skateboarding facilities. In Zambia there is a single skateshop. Also the economy level makes these facilities to be sold at higher prices to counter balance the import taxes and other VATs. Chisanga grew up in such place, this China dream is getting bigger as he imagining himself in the next three years. “I’m looking forward to getting better and learn a whole lot of new stuff and make my family proud” -Chisanga
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The high level of motivation serves as his drive to embrace new culture; food, customs and more. All these makes Chisanga to keep a much focus on not only learning skateboarding but also at school where he is now taking a chinese language class. He clarified that, as days going on he found himself getting used to Chinese language and culture. “ I went few times to restaurant and I even tested some chinese dishes, and well my new friends at college serves as extra teachers as they keep teaching me how to speak and write chinese” AFRICASKATEBOARDINGDIARY.COM //07
While in China, Chisanga looks forward to also travel to ther countries around the world. He is getting ready for any opportunity that may come. He wishes to skate more of international skate event around the Asia regions such as FISE World Skateboarding, and others. He is also plaining to once visit the SMP Park in Beijing which is one among the largest skatepark in the world. Skateboarding for him is also an art, “There’s so many ways that you can combine skateboarding and art, especially with video parts and pictures. Let’s say When you’re drawing a portrait, you have to be so accurate with what you’re doing. It may take several attempts to get the picture you want and that feel you get when you have your final piece is like landing a trick you’ve been trying for so long.” Chisanga moved to China also to study designing, he an upcoming architecturer and very talented artsits. He has love for art and skateboarding at the same time.
At the end Chisanga is inspired by Boo Johnsoon styles of skateboarding and what he does. For him now skateboarding is about having fun and making new friends. However few days after being in China he just signed his first board sponsor - Exit Skateboards. When he signed the deal he explained this as his first step in China. With Exit Skateboards now Chisanga has entered into a revolutionary skateboarding path. He looks forward for more to come, as any other skateboarder being sponsored and to make a small living out of skateboarding is a dream to pursue. “Yeah I dream on being sponsored some day. It’s every skateboarders dream to get sponsored. I know it’ll take time though” -Chisanga
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“Final words... I’d like to thank God for the privilege of being here cause not everybody gets the chance to be away from home like the way I am. Also, I’d like to thank my Mom & Dad for everything they’ve gone through to get me to where I am now. Shout out to all the skaters back home! Keep skating and have fun! Shred those streets and do you! I’m going to make some Chinese noodles right now! AFRICASKATEBOARDINGDIARY.COM //09
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Welcome Mr. Tim on Africa Skateboarding Diary.
People always asked us “why Kimberley?”
In your history of sports and action sports, how did you come to start World Skateboarding Federation?
WSF in the future will tone down its involvement in South Africa until the government can get through some of its issues and we will focus on other African countries.
It was purely based upon a need in the marketplace, there was no entity dedicated to help skateboarders build skate parks, raise funds for skate parks, provide assistance with the red tape/organization and navigation through legalities of the process. No entity was working on helping skateboarders around the world get to contests. WSF has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to make sure skateboarders can attend. Skateboarding is also in need of real skateboarders and industries from countries to get organized so they are in control of their own country and not left up to rollerbladers or other outsiders to control. Quite frankly there were already entities in the space but they had no interest in fulfilling any of the needs or providing assistance. It was a no brainer, if you love skateboarding and know firsthand what it does for the lives of youth then it was an easy decision for me to gather global skateboarders and entities and bring them together. The first thing we did was reach out to organizations that already existed and have been operating for years, with no money and all out of the love of skateboarding. No one every approached ISSA a salom organization that has been around since the 80’s, or Downhill that has been around since the 90’s, or Freestyle or long distance or any other discipline. WSF were actively trying to bring everyone together. WSF has the biggest number of members of any organization and have a good representation of skateboarding around the world, we are more diverse than others as well. Over the past 5 years what achievements that you are proud of through WSF? I am very proud of how WSF came together and created by and supported by people who love skateboarding and have been leading it in their countries for years and in some cases decades, all out of love for skateboarding not the love of money like we are seeing today from other organizations. WSF created a remarkable transformation in South African skateboarding, can you help us to understand how WSF managed the best in South Africa? Really jumped on board the SFH events as it was a natural for a International Federation to get involved in. You got to understand when I touched ground in South Africa, skateboarding was illegal in Cape Town and basically nonexistent in other cities, especially Kimberley, which was basically a depressed city racked by government corruption scandals.
A recently ran Skateboarding For Hope in Lima, Peru
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World Skateboarding Championships 2015, South Africa
Recently you launched the African Skate Project, what should we expect from the project? Well KDC is no longer and tainted now so we needed to create a new entity to support skateboarding, this new entity needed to be aligned with our expanded focus for Africa. You are newly launched project, does it signify that WSF is now expanding beyond South Africa? WSF has always operated globally but it was most active in South Africa in Street skateboarding, but we support almost 200 events globally under all disciplines. From a street skateboarding we have been active in supporting almost 60 countries globally Any last words? I can assure everyone that WSF will be around for a long time, as long as skateboarders and skateboarding organizations need help we will work to provide it. No other entity has shown any willingness to do what we are doing. Everyone else is attracted to the money like bugs to a light, we are the ones that operate behind the scenes to actually help. In addition we have recently launched a collaboration with the Peru National Oylmpic Committee. With Skateboarding being among the Olypmpic games of Tokyo 2020 our role in Peru will be to help the national to reach the goals through active skateboarding programs. We shall be running several Skateboarding For Hopes programs and Qualifiers across Peru to get the best skateboarders. With other local partners and media we shall also run the first National Chmapionships event and the first ever Latin America Skateboarding Championships coming September 2017. World Skateboarding Federation has always believe on the positive impacts of Skateboarding. With our African Project we hope to keep helping and support many African skateboarders to get through clinics, and compete in Several events.
Allan Adams won Best Trick at Canal Walk, 2015
KDC Regional Qualifier in Durban, Picture by Daniel Theron
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Being a newly brand, how does that sounds to you It is the truth! We are new and we are proudly South African. We pride ourselves in our quality and awesome graphics.
A pool of skateboarders is your market, how do you connect with them We connect via Facebook and Instagram. Our rep programme is something that gets us in touch with our community of skaters. The programme is a mutually beneficial agreement where skaters help us out at events or help develop content for brand awareness purposes and their compensation is either merchandise / discounted merchandise.
What are your expectations We want to grow the sport! Skateboarding has a bad rep and we want to change that! It is all about having fun for us, making it recreational and staying true to what we believe in.
Did you noticed something was missing, so you started Bun and Bunee to fill that? Well yeah! We want to see the sport take flight and support it with the right message.
In next few years, what are your major plans To be a family friendly, ever green lifestyle brand
OUR MAJOR PLANS Tell us briefly about Bun and Bunee, and how it started Bun&Bunee was born in an internationally acclaimed animation studio called Luma Animation. The series Bun&Bunee was created between 2006-2009. Licensing and merchandising is currently being rolled out in South Africa with a skater themed focus. The main characters in the series Bun and his little bro Bunee love skateboarding. We are a family friendly brand with an edge!
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TO BE A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVER GREEN LIFESTYLE BRAND
Any expectations on going outside South Africa We tested product in California, and we sell on Amazon, well we completely sold out on Amazon and placing another order soon!
Do you have sponsored team No, we don’t. We are a start-up and we want to keep it recreational. At this stage, we help a few riders that are independently going to the comps and we help with gear here and there. That is if they believe and live according to what we stand for. Interviewed By Usama Ahmed!
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Can you brief tell us about Skate Aid and Skateboarding? Skate-aid is an NGO from Muenster, Germany, and was founded in 2009 by Titus Dittmann. We generate and support projects worldwide which encourage youth- and development aid through the meaningful and identity establishing power of skateboarding. We support kids in areas of conflict and deprivation by bringing skateboarding to their communities. In times of adversity the pedagogical power of skateboarding brings unity, equality and a stable social environment. That enables great growth in self-esteem, community awareness, personal responsibility, determination and free development of the individual, regardless of social background, gender, ethnicity, language, religion nationality or culture…and most importantly: good times. Every little help can change something for these kids and transform a community and the future of it. Supplying skateboards and skate equipment, building new skate parks are the main tools to provide education for a brighter, safer future. If it’s Palestine, Costa Rica, Afghanistan or Africa… We want to help kids to have a real childhood with fun, energy and joyfulness, Skateboarding knows no boundaries or war, skin color or hate, poverty or wealth: Skateboarding unites! When exactly did Skate aid started to work on Africa? Actually we started our Engagement in 2008 before skate-aid was established. Our chairman Torben Oberhellmann lived for six month in Cape Town and organized projects for street children and supported a local NPO to realize a Skatepark in Hout Bay. The idea behind the Skatepark was that black, coloured and white kids go Skateboarding together and became friends. After the Apartheid it was more than important that the people realize that we are all human beings. One year later skate-aid was born… The first Skatepark in Africa was built in Tanzania in 2011. AFRICASKATEBOARDINGDIARY.COM //18
From that time up to date how many volunteers have worked on your projects? In the international projects we´re about to reach the number of 50 volunteers over the all years. However you have to count in all the others who helped building the parks, doing fundraising and helping at events, donating their time and dedication towards skate-aid and the kids. There are so many , Thanks a bunch to all the good folks out there! If you want to volunteer feel free to contact us anytime
Nairobi is markedly as one of your best project; Recently you opened a park in Rwanda, what can however the Kintale Park of Uganda has won you briefly tell us about it. awards. How can you guys differentiate the two projects? We opened the skate park in Kigali in April 2016 together with the SOS Children´s Village of Kigali. In Nairobi we are working together with Shangilia, a It´s running basically a year now and the kids are school and also a home for the homeless kids close to still going strong in skating and on their skills on a Kangemi Estate. daily base. In Kampala the project already existed when we started to work together with the Uganda Skateboarding Union. They built the skate park on their own and we are supporting them ever since.
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The Skate Aid World Highest Ollie, is there anything you can tell and records of the winners. It was awesome to see people skating all over the world for the same reason at the same time! Feels like being united no matter the distance. The concept is to have a fun day of competing in a not serious way, but still the participants went high! The results are: 1. Copenhagen: Alexander Risvad, 103cm 2. Cape Town: Ryan Naidoo, 99cm 3. MĂźnster: Georg G Anders, 85cm 4. Kampala: Kyomuhendo Peter, 84 cm 5. Nairobi: Kevin Maina, 75cm 6. San Isidro: Willian Morales, 70cm 7. Dodoma: Gideon, 54cm 8. Bethlehem: Moeyyed and Anas, 20cm (under 15 only)
9. Kigali: 15cm (under 15 only)
Of course we will organize another Highest Ollie Contest in 2018 with more cities! If a town/skate park/ organisation wants to participate just send an email to us. Outside Africa, briefly tell us about projects in other continents. I think that would be too big for the scale of this interview. You can find a lot more information at: www.skate-aid.org https://www.facebook.com/skateaid https://www.instagram.com/skateaid Feel free to leave a comment or like. Any last words. Thanks to everybody supporting us! Our work wouldn´t be possible without you lot there outside all over the world!
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1. Can you tell us brief about yourself? (Name, Skatename, Age, and Your residence) My name is Candy Jacobs, I’m 26 years old and I live in the Netherlands. 2. Who are your sponsors? At this moment I have flow sponsoring by Blackriver skateboards, Etnies, Fitmasterfreddy, Ragical Griptape, Titus Tornados and Polypop. 3. For how long have you been skateboarding? I’ve been skating since 2003 4. Who inspired you into Skateboarding? I think the people I saw at the skatepark and my mom. My mom dropped me off because I was bored, handed me a skateboard and told me she would be back in two hours. I never stopped. 5. Have you ever being on any skate trip with your sponsors? Yes a few with sponsors to Barcelona, everything besides that I do on my own. 6. What can you comment about skateboarding in your society? Skateboarding in the Netherlands is not big yet, now it’s Olympic I think the interest in skateboarding will grow and people might take it more seriously and start to build skateparks. Besides that, the vibes are good. 7. Tell us how many skate events and contests you have been? And which one is the best? I can’t tell to how many skate events I’ve already been, I’ve been skating contests the last 10 years, I’ve been to the States, South Africa, Europe and Asia can’t tell which one is the best because they are always different and always good. The most impressive one is the X-games, the one in South Africa was cool because I also got to pet lions. 8. Africa Skateboarding Scene strive to grow, can you set advice to hard training Africa Skaters? Honestly do what you love and make sure you enjoy what you’re doing. I work my ass off just because I really enjoy and love skateboarding. Besides that make sure your body and mind are healthy, that definitely helps. 9. What will you do If you get a chance to be involved in any Africa Skateboarding Activity? I’m always down to help any skateboarding community anywhere in the world! 10. Lastly, what do you think of skateboarding being into Olympic? I’m stoked on skateboarding in the Olympics. That means skateboarding will grow a bigger platform so more people (kids) get to experience what skateboarding can do. For me skateboarding is everything and if only one person in the whole world gets to experience skateboarding the way I have that would be a win. So I can only back this decision.
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1. Kan u ons kort uitleggen over uzelf? (Naam, Skatename, Leeftijd en Uw woonplaats) Mijn naam is Candy Jacobs, ik ben 26 jaar oud en woon in Nederland 2. Wie zijn uw sponsors? Op dit moment heb ik flow sponsoring door Blackriver skateboards, Etnies, Fitmasterfreddy, Ragical Griptape, Titus Tornado’s en Polypop. 3. Hoe lang was je skateboarden? Ik heb sinds 2003 schaatsen 4. Wie heeft u geïnspireerd in Skateboarding? Ik denk dat de mensen die ik bij het skatepark en mijn moeder zag. Mijn moeder Ik val me weg omdat ik me verveelde, me een skateboard gaf en Vertelde me dat ze binnen twee uur terug zou komen. Ik ben nooit gestopt. 5. Heb je ooit een schaatsreis met je sponsors gehad? Ja, een paar met sponsors naar Barcelona, alles wat ik doe Op mijn eigen 6. Wat kunt u commentaar geven op skateboarding in uw samenleving? Skateboarding in Nederland is nog niet groot, nu is het Olympisch Ik denk dat de interesse in skateboarden zal groeien en mensen kunnen Neem het serieuzer en begin met skateparks te bouwen. Daarnaast, De vibes zijn goed. 7. Vertel ons hoeveel skate-evenementen en wedstrijden u bent geweest? En welke is het beste? Ik kan niet vertellen hoeveel schaatsen ik al heb gedaan, ik heb schaatsen gedaan Betwist de laatste 10 jaar, ik ben naar de staten, Zuid-Afrika, Europa geweest En Azië kan niet vertellen welke een het beste is omdat ze altijd anders zijn En altijd goed. De meest indrukwekkende is de X-games, de een in Zuid-Afrika was cool omdat ik ook naar huisdieren leeuwen kwam. 8. Afrika Skateboarding Scène streven ernaar om te groeien, kun je advies geven aan Harde training Afrika Skaters? Doe eerlijk waar je van houdt en zorg ervoor dat je geniet van wat je doet. Ik werk mijn kont af, alleen omdat ik echt van skateboarding houdt en liefhebben. Daarnaast zorg ervoor dat Je lichaam en geest zijn gezond, dat helpt helemaal. 9. Wat zal u doen als u de kans krijgt om deel te nemen aan elke Afrika Skateboarding-activiteit? Ik ben altijd aan het helpen van een skateboarden community overal in de wereld! 10. Tot slot, wat vind je van skateboarden in het Olympisch? Ik ben aan het skateboarden in de Olympische Spelen gestoken. Dat betekent dat skateboarden een groter platform zullen worden, zodat meer mensen (kinderen) kunnen ervaren wat skateboarden kunnen doen. Voor mij is skateboarden alles en als er maar één persoon in de hele wereld de skateboarden krijgt, zoals ik dat heb, zou het een win zijn. Dus ik kan deze beslissing alleen teruggeven. AFRICASKATEBOARDINGDIARY.COM //27
Ever wondered what was going on in Tunisia, let alone in its skateboarding scene? Well, it could be compared to an infant crawling and soon to be taking first steps on hard surface. I personally started skating in 2009 and discovered a quite small skate scene based in La Marsa (one of the suburbs of the caital) in which was built a basic skatepark for youngsters to practice their skills. AFRICASKATEBOARDINGDIARY.COM //30
Before the revolution, we didn’t have access to huge online skateboarding content as we do now so most of us looked up to legends in the field such as Rodney Mullen or Daewon Song during that time.
They helped us reinvent the way we experience skateboarding through different projects such as the building of a skate bowl from a pool on the abandoned house of Imed Trabelsi (former First Lady’s brother).
Few years and an Arab spring later, we had a visit from the incredible crew of TheBedouins and Philadelphia skateboards ; In October 2011, these dudes gave us a visit to produce a skateboard/art documentary on post-revolution Tunisia
But it not only consisted of that, the crew alongside one of my local homies (Youssef Nouri) took a trip around the country heading south west first to promote the art/sport to disadvantaged areas by giving away goods and teaching unbelievably excited kids but
the opportunity to visit the famous Star Wars set in Tozeur. They also visited Sidi Bouzid, birthplace of the revolution where the incredible Evan Collisson stacked some lines for our viewing pleasure. They later got on the van to head to the coastal city of Sousse, in which was set up a mini ramp for a contest. All the locals truly enjoyed the event and were hyped about it as Mohammed Zakaria, owner of Philadelphia skateboards offered
We can’t forget to mention Tzahi Einat, another incredible man on and off the board who made a superb demo on the mini ramp as well as skated the streets like no one else.
I ended up meeting with Phil the next day as Michael lost his passport and had to arrive on Monday to film for five days straight on the hot Tunisian streets.
After visiting Hammamet, the crew made it back to La Marsa where a final contest took place ; We honestly experienced the true definition of skateboarding through unity, fun and a never seen before gathering of skaters and artists.
Meeting with these dudes felt surreal after discovering their talent on Element’s Get Busy Living (2010), we witnessed amazing skating and opened up on a whole new perspective on what it’s like to live the professional skateboarder life.
The documentary ‘’Push Tunisia’’ is available to watch online so don’t hesitate to check it as it embodies more than I could ever write about. It was also presented at Al Hambra’s cinema on January 26th 2012 and successfully funded on Kickstarter by March of that same year.
The second time we met with Michael, he was accompanied with the talented french photographer/videographer Guilaume Périmony to finish the videopart that ended up between the hands of Thrasher’s audience as part of the ‘’Fishing Lines’’ series delivered by Michael himself.
Ever since that experience, we locals felt the need and power to grew our own skate scene and for example made the first ever Go Skateboarding Day (2012) which was a complete success where about 40 skateboarders gathered and colonized the streets of Sidi Bou Saïd until those of Sidi Abdelaziz to conclude a sunny June 21st at our local skatepark (La Marsa). Another unforgettable moment in our skateboarding history would be the visit of two European legends in June 2015 and March 2016 (Michael Mackrodt and Phil Zwijsen).
Ever since, we keep on going and try to evolve within the global skate scene… Stay tuned as we are about to launch a local skate brand as well as hopefully open a skateshop, the heart of every skate scene. I recommend you also check our Instagram page : @memories. skateboarding presenting our crew based in La Marsa, bunch of cool dudes
The skate world is witnessing the evolution of its art in the mother continent, it will grow up to be something unique I promise ! Keep on supporting. It all started on a sunny Friday few Ahmed Krichene days before Ramadhan when I got in touch with Michael after seeing a Facebook status mentioning his On the Picture; arrival to Tunis for filming a skate Tzahi Einat (November 2011) mission. Credits : Evan Collisson
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The event ended with a game of S.K.A.T.E for only those who wear size 6 shoes, which entertained the rest of the skaters as they awaited the results of the skate jam. *Intermediate: 1.Siziwe Skhosana 2.Tom Heiry 3.Eddie Espach
The 25th of March 2017 should have been the 3rd skate jam organised under the Back 2 Kasi Hip-Hop show banner. However, due to unforeseen circumstances the event was cancelled two days prior to the event’s occurrence. As the skate jam organiser, I could not let the cancellation of the Hip-Hop show halt the excitement already anticipated by the many Vaal skateboarders eager to compete.
*Advance: 1. Paul Melato 2. 2tcha a.k.a jr masitenyane 3. Mo Molefe
Note that the Vaal skate scene has not had a skate contest since the last Back 2 Kasi skate jam in 2016.
*Best trick: Kabelo Tladi *Game of Skate: Neo ‘shorty’ Nape
I remembered that skateboarding has no rules we make the rules as we go along, so screw it I said as I changed the venue to my local skate spot.
I would like to thank Dirk Opperman from Technique Skateboards South Africa for the awesome board sponsorship & for the 2nd year running Ross Hyland from Intende Action Wear for hooking up the event with dope shoes from Etnies. Lastly, thanking all the Vaal Skateboarders that made it through and importantly Thabo ‘Ma-E’ Lesito & Eddie Espach for helping me organise such a dope event. The Vaal Skate Scene Still Lives (016). -Nkosana Ashley, 2017. Photographers Kamohelo Maphike Thabo Clement
PAUL MELATO | 1ST ADVANCED
SIZWE SKHOSANA | 1ST INTERMEDIATE
The Sasolburg Public Library is home away from home you can say, brick run-up but bountiful ledge structures all around. The chances of the local authorities giving us hassles over whether we have permission to host such an event here were minimal, in any way they tried to get us to stop skating there for years until they eventually give in and let us shred to our hearts content.
Nkosana: Briefly explain how the skate jam idea came about? Being Mohlomi: “It was a community skate park project in collaboration with Holdfast Tattoo’s. We were planning to build a community Skate Park in Sebokeng, the skate jams were create awareness and initiate the signing of a petition which got over x120 signatures.
Before planning this event I interviewed a few individual, who hosted such an event as this one to gain a perspective on the importance of skateboarding development within the Vaal. Being Mohlomi founder of ‘Hood Love Creative Agency’ incepted the skate jam concept after the closure of Vaal Skate Park.
Nkosana: Do you see a future for skateboarding in the Vaal & why?
THABO “STEEZY” MEKO | EVENT GURU
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KABELO TLADI | BEST TRICK
Being Mohlomi: “The skate industry is a multibillion dollar industry, business wise there is opportunities for Vaal entrepreneurs to have a piece of the billion dollar industry.
There is potential to make money in the Vaal via skateboarding considering there is over x100 skateboarders in the Vaal. Thabo ‘steezy’ Meko is also one of the influential individual’s who has initiated his own skateboarding competitions within the Vaal skate scene, I asked him about the local skate scene in Sebokeng & the impact of the closure of the Vaal Skate Park? Thabo Meko: “The skate scene in Sebokeng is good even though there isn’t a facility to skate at, you’ll find all these skaters in the streets pushing. I bump into new faces daily showing that the movement is growing even though development is lacking, but I believe we will get there in time” The 25th of March 2017, the Sasolburg Public Library was packed with a number of 20 skateboarders coming from different regions of the Vaal.
The event started with a heat in which all the skateboarders got a time limit to use as much of the ledge structured location for a score before moving on the next section. The main aim of the contest was to have fun and let the skateboarders explore the different skate spots Sasolburg has to offer, using the town as our skate park for the day. The banks section followed after the ledge section at the library where skaters threw down dope tricks on & off the banks, capturing the public’s attention with their skill to flip and rotate with their boards. The final section which was the best trick section, with Andrew Reynolds Independents & Emerica signature shoes up for grabs saw the skaters throw down some insane tricks in the busy CBD by the ‘butterfield 5 stairs’.
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Above: Hardflip by Kabelo Tladi Below: Big Heelflip by Paul Melato
Below from Left to Right 1. Kickflip by Kabelo Tladi 2. Skaters High Five Each Others 3. Heelflip by Kamohelo Maphike 4. Kickflip by Unidentified skater
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Today Africa Skateboarding Diary is proud to go through the timeline of Megabi Skate Program in Ethiopia. The story behind is aligned with the youth life of Israel Dejene, aka Izzy. Izzy was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He grew up in the Shiro Meda neighbour. Is a renowned skateboarder and Musician and he found the “Megabi Skate” previous known as the “Ethio Skate” This was the first skateboard organization in Ethiopia. About twelve years ago, Izzy had a chance to travel to Sweden and had a chance to perform music in Sweden, while he was there he saw skateboard for the very first time in his life. This was an epic moment and fell in love with skateboarding. His friend Samuel inspired and was the probably the first skate tutor for Izzy. They had a time to spend the whole day struggling into very first lessons on how to stand on a skateboard. This was beginning of Izzy skateboarding adventure. Ever since he started skateboarding every day. Returning home from Sweden with a single skateboard set from Sweden, Izzy started the Ethio Skate in his neighbourhood! “I started Megabi skate to inspire and empower my generation, and to show you can be a change agent with what you have, the whole program started with a single skateboard” said Israel Dejene The goal behind the Ethioskate later the Megabi Skate was to spread the idea and the consciousness of themselves and who they are and what they are and why they were there at first place and the expression of skateboarding as an art. This was a key point to help children and youth to value themselves and build self-esteem. Megabi Skate is much more of a light house that children and youth can spot across miles, when they join they also become family and be transformed. A single skateboard impacted the lives of many and it was a great start. Skateboarding helps to change perspectives and helps to add positive values. It is all about creating new sense and a mind-set. Later David, a friend from US brought more sets about five of them added into the program. Megabi Skate started to get bigger and bigger. AFRICASKATEBOARDINGDIARY.COM //40
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To be sure that skateboarding gets more recognition in public, Megabi Skate launched a special Girl Skate program. The backbone of this is Muluken, one of the very first girl skateboarder who started skateboarding from the early days of Ethio Skate. To start up was not easy for the girls to come and skate because they have so much responsibility in the family, girls have so much chores to do at home than boys, and they usually not allowed for outdoor sports. Five years ago Muluken started a girls team separately and spend time and discuss life and she started to empower them as a girl she set an example for megabi girls, they have Instagram @Megabiskategirls Empowering girls with skateboarding, and looking to the future to see them turned to be the first Professional Girl skateboarders. Megabi skate also has a music programs for skaters where they learn how to play instruments and provide them some more skills. Currently the impacts Megabi Skate made has made the community to appreciate the works. Now children are being sent to skate at the Megabi skate park. Also the run a monthly program known as “Dream Big Stage” which is a talent show where the kids can perform their different talents for the community. The other one is “Make Somebody Happy Day”, which is every Saturday after the skate session; all the skaters will go around the neighbourhood and do something positive for one person and give back.
This transformation led to the visit by the Christian Skaters team from US in 2010 in partnership with “Because every mother matters” Organization. With this visit Megabi Skate got Ethiopia the first Portable Half Pipe! This was a major transformation to the lives of children and youths in the region. AFRICASKATEBOARDINGDIARY.COM //42
“My main achievement is seeing my youth getting positively influenced and the carry on the love of skateboarding to other parts of Ethiopia” – said Israel Dejene. With his ambitions the program spread to other cities; Bahirdar, Hawassa and Arbaminch. It’s a great and amazing to see these progress happening from a journey that was started with a single skateboard set.
In January a team of professional skateboarders led by Kelle Houston’s Let It Flow Organization visited Ethiopia and collaborated with Megabi Skate! It featured Nyjah Houston, Tony Hawk, Jaws, Bergur, Derric and other top professional skateboarder. A skate session was done in a high quality first concrete half pipe in Ethiopia with the help of California Skateparks.
Later on XGame did a documentary about the project and ESPN and National Geography featured Megabi Skate. This documentary has been shown on ABC channel three times, to show this positive movement started purely with love and spreading and changing lives. Let it Flow project, which combines Huston’s two biggest passions: bringing clean water and the joy of skateboarding to local communities in Ethiopia.
Skateboarding in Africa is growing so fast and its so hopeful that we will see our skateboarders getting to the top. Now that skateboarding is in the Olympic we need to set foundation for the coming generation so we will see lots of pro African skaters and Gold medals. Outside the Megabi skate, IsraeI founded with friends the Ethiopian Adopted Association that allows adopted children to come back to their motherland Ethiopia and find their roots and family. Later on they are to start a tour company, where people can truly understand the culture [of Ethiopia]. And build a free health care centre in the rural part of Ethiopia. AFRICASKATEBOARDINGDIARY.COM //43
1.Brief introduce yourself We are wflsncrm and we are the first skate group in Nigeria and we own the first ever skateshop in the west African region. 2.What is the reason behind Waffle cream? And the goskatenigeria We are just a group of friends who skate and own a shop in lagos, and goskate is for promoting skating in Nigeria 3.What do you think about skateboarding in Nigeria? Is it just a sport or more than that? It’s really catching on and that’s the point, and skating can be anything you want it to be.
Just one goal, to make everyone know that wflsncrm is a force to be reckoned with and can be good as any other in the fucking world, we do what we want jeje , and in the future we want to be able to do what we love that is skate and create lifestyle easily.
We sell merch and create activations and functions to create awareness
5.Skateboarding at large, what do you think about Olympic inclusion?
It depends on the kid.
To be very honest its good and its needed.
8.Do you think children and youth join skateboarding because of being idle or they are looking for something else?
9.Also you can tell us anything else we did not ask here below.
Umm, ourselves.
We have so many talent not only in skating, like the boys leonard slawn and onyedi who make edits and make art, so wflsncrm is not skating alone but things that accompany it.
7.How do you guys spread skateboarding in Nigeria?
-Answered By Jomi
6.Who are your favourite skateboarders and why?
4.What are your goals? What is up on the future? AFRICASKATEBOARDINGDIARY.COM //44
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So talking of Madagascar! how is skateboardign scene, and what are the general public impression? Welcome, can you tell us about yourself? My full name is RABETSIVALAKA Rado Nirina but all pepole call me Rado Kely I skate skate since 2009. I’m from Madagascar and I’m 20 old I really love skateboard cause it’s my passion. Over the years of skateboarding, how can you describe skateboarding into your life? So skateboarding is really fun and give me happiness on my life Skate teach me too on my life and give my an good lifestyle.
Skate here is on the way to progress cause all skater are really motivate. And about the public impression , some time the public is be amazed when we skate street ,on the road of the city and some time people are afraid. What is the most famous skate spot in your area? As I said public now has start to love gradually skateboarding.
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The most famous skate spot here is the big gap whit 11stairs... I really love this spot What was the most epic trick you did on the gap? Kick flip So any epic experience you can share?! So just simple thing ... When you want to do some trick on gap , rail , flap you just need to put in your brain who you can do it and never let it down ...
And never forget skate is fun ... Don’t worry skate happy Past February was great on your side, how can you explain that?! Bro...firstly I can’t believe I won the competition ... It’s a dream came true , cause it was my first time. The traveling in past February gave me some experience in skateboarding scene. What should we expect from that?
I just take little reflexion How can you compare the difference between South Africa and madagascar? I expect that Madagascar will be now under the spotlight... So we can get helps. And also to put Malagasy skateboarding in the same level as abroad. The main difference between MDG and SA is the skateboarding evolution... In SA , skateboarding is growing super fast and they good advantage on spots, parks and Skate goods. AFRICASKATEBOARDINGDIARY.COM //49
MDG is not only far but Peoples also barely knows there are skateboarders here... Plus we lack of spots and skate goods too
By now, the Government shows no interest yet! We, community of skateboarders have to build our place into it to grow on that side.
Can the other guy introduce yourself?
Well so what are the intiatives being done by the locals? Who runs the programs such as event?!
I’m Tokinomena Andry. Is there any plans for the Government to be involved?
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It’s the SMEG Assosiaciton, The “King Of Street” crew and the guys at “MSP” (Madagascar Skate Parks) who keep things alive for now
Thanks to them...so @Tokinomena Andry how long have you been skateboarding?! Well I started in 2006 so it’s 11 years, if I’m not wrong In all these years what is the best experience of you and skateboarding? There is a lot of moments I enjoyed : like first time I put a full lenght video out, teaming up with the guys for the birth of
Akaska (akama’m’skate) , the birth of SMEG and also how we held the Contest for WFS last year.And also that apparition for CNN , that one was cool. Great and are there girl skateboarders? Yeah, and it was with the “first generation” of skateboarer ever that the first girl skated... Now it’s growing. First generation of skateboarder in Antananarivo, around 2000’s
What are you plans for the future? Keeping skateboarding move forward... As fa as I can do... Will try to establish the Skate federation here is the next step and we will see what next as time goes
Shoutouts to the Malagasy skater around the world !!! Hahaha And yeah, thank you guys for involving me in this
Thanks for this guys... Thanks Toky and Augustine.
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