Skate to educate

Maboneng is pioneering a new path in education.

Just in case you weren’t brought up to speed about the purpose of the construction that’s taking place in the trendy precinct, City Buzz is letting you in on what to expect when the dust has settled.

Skateistan is a non-profit organisation that uses skateboarding as a tool for education and empowerment of vulnerable youth.

The school, set for Maboneng Precinct, is building on the success of the initiative that began in Afghanistan, which uses skateboarding as an effective tool for social change – making South Africa an ideal expansion point for the Skateistan programme.

The organisation has recognised that the South African youth face many of the same challenges as young people in Afghanistan and Cambodia, including social inequality, youth unemployment, gender discrimination, poverty, lack of quality education and social tensions.

Skateistan has identified the greater Johannesburg area as one in which these common challenges are most pertinent and, as such, has chosen to launch its initial programmes through a partnership with the City of Johannesburg.

In selected communities, the focus will be on children aged five to 17 with a specific emphasis on girls, street-involved youth, and children that are the hardest to reach. The school itself will be located in Maboneng and made from old shipping containers.

A number of programmes have begun in the Troyeville neighbourhood where young boys and girls are being treated to some good lessons and skateboarding fun.

The NPO gives thanks to a number of key organisations, without which, none of what they’re doing would be possible.

The Danish Embassy and the foundation of one of the most talented and widely-recognised skateboarders in the world, the Tony Hawk Foundation, have been integral parts of the opening of the organisation in South Africa.

A much-needed service is coming to aid South African youth and City Buzz is excited to see it happen.

Details: za.skateistan.org