Surfer to compete in national champs in Durban
Durban beaches have reopened for the surfing competition.
South Coasters who want to see surfer, Phumelelisiswe Pearl Mbele, surfing at the South African Para Surfing Championships will have to go to Durban.
The surfing competition was to be held in Scottburgh because beaches in Durban were closed due to high e-coli levels in the water.
Now that eThekwini Municipality announced the reopening of some beaches, the South African Para Surfing Championships will be held on South Beach from July 29 to 31.
Mbhele, who is well-known as Nzunzu, is from Nqabeni, Ward 35 under Ray Nkonyeni Municipality but presently lives in Umlazi, Durban.
The surfer told Fever that her love for surfing started in 2006, adding that she needs donations to be able to advance her surfing.
She explained that she does not own a surfboard, saying that she hires one for R150 a day and also needs two trainers at R250 each for an hour.
Recently, Mbele met with Ray Nkonyeni Municipality mayor Sikhumbuzo Mqadi to talk about her needs.
“When I lived in South Beach while studying and working, a lady who surfed was prepared to teach me. In 2020, a friend of mine Olga Bikitsha told me about the organisation, Made for More, which teaches surfing to people with disabilities. I immediately grabbed the opportunity. I started surfing in 2020 and in 2021, I bagged a medal for a competition. This year, I managed to qualify for the South Africa Para Surf Championships,” she said.
Although Mbele is presently a candidate attorney at NS Attorneys, she said she wants to compete internationally.
“I need help because it will involve a lot of training which means more time in the sea and swimming pool. I know there might be people looking at me thinking I am too old to reach my goals, but I ignore them because I believe there is nothing you cannot achieve if you put your mind to it, The ocean is my sacred place, my mind is clear and I find peace in the sea. That’s why I would love donations towards achieving my goal,” she said.
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