Skateboarding entices enthusiastic Eswatini youth

By Phathizwe Zulu

MANZINI, Eswatini (AA) - Skateboarding is a growing sport and pastime in the Southern African kingdom of Eswatini. The country has joined other African countries like Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda that are developing the sport to compete at the international level.

In the absence of professional facilities like a skate park, skateboarders use concrete paved and roadsides of the country’s capital, Mbabane.

“I used to skate in the street or on paved sidewalks. I would look over my shoulder for possible police arrest. At times, police would chase me away or take the board,” said Lusito Mabuza, 27, the head coach of Emaswati Skate, a group working to professionalize skateboarding in the kingdom.

“Skating in the streets was dangerous. I understand why police would make sure they disciplined us,” he said.

- Lafezeka Skate Park

Emaswati Skate consultant Jason Martin said the construction of the country’s first skate park with support from the EU and partners like Czech NGO Skate World Better, COSPE, an international non-profit committed to social justice and peace, and others, was a dream come true for Emaswati Skate.

The facility was inaugurated this June at Coronation Park in Mbabane and drew excitement from young people who frequent the park to hone their skills.

“The good thing about this park is that it gives a kid a chance to grow and try new skills, and no more police to chase us,” said Mabuza.

Martin said in the absence of significant sponsorship for the sport and before the park’s construction, his organization hosted competitions in certain areas of the country.

“Back in the day, we teamed up with a couple of people who helped us in the long run. We had a skating competition down at Corporate Plaza, we had one down at Zulwini Gables,” he said.

“Now we have our first skate park, it’s nice progress for the skaters. We can see developments every day as we have more and more kids in the park and more people are using it. They learn more about safety, how to use the skateboard and where to use it, which is all very important.”

He acknowledged that skateboarding in a lot of countries is an elite sport and many cannot afford it.

But Emaswati Skate seeks to find a way that will make the sport acceptable, achievable, and reachable to all demographics.

“As part of the program with the help of the EU and COSPE, we going to build four more mini-skate parks in rural areas in the four regions of the country to help communities and create other opportunities for them. This also provides a way of learning skateboarding, imparting the skills of coaching and so on,” said Martin.

- Taking skateboarding to rural communities

Emaswati Skate and its partners were amazed by the reception they got from traditional leaders and parents in rural communities.

“We were worried how they would perceive the sport, considering it’s new and can be a dangerous sport as well,” said Martin. “To our surprise, everyone took it pretty well. The chiefs seemed very much on board.

“However, they were concerned about safety factors. We explained that part of skateboarding is learning how to fall and they were quite intrigued by this. They realized that the sport can help the development of youth as well.”

Dumsani Ntiwane, media officer of the Eswatini National Sports and Recreational Council, said as the body that regulates sports in the country, the government does not yet recognize skateboarding.

“No sporting code is entitled to government funding without being recognized by the council. Unfortunately for the skateboarding association, it is still pending our recognition,” said Ntiwane. “This is due to a number of factors, our recognition requirements. The council require those associations to meet certain criteria when it comes to being recognized by the council.”

Ntiwane advised Emaswati Skate to come to his office to get help in meeting the requirements.

“We’d liked to encourage those who want to skateboard as a sport to come to the office so we can sit down and help them where we feel they need help and ultimately be able to recognize them because once we grant them recognition, they will be entitled to government help in terms of finances.

“We can sit down and help them get recognition. We encourage our people to play those sports, We are happy that they have started skateboarding, it is actually long overdue,” he said.