Skating to keep children busy during school holidays

In an effort to keep children busy and away from the street during school holidays, Mamelodi skate club will host skating lessons.

Mamelodi skate club founder Poelo Mofolo said the lessons will give the youth of Mamelodi an opportunity to participate in a healthy activity such as skateboarding.

He said the school holiday skating lessons will take place at Mamelodi beer hall skatepark Thursdays and Fridays from 13:00 to 16:30.

“This holiday programme is being supported by the Department of Sports and Recreation as part of the school sport initiative.

“Skateboarding is officially an Olympic sport that young skateboarding enthusiasts can pursue as a career,” said Mofolo.

He said the school holidays are about teaching young children how to skate and informing them about safety in skateboarding.

“Skateboarding can change lives and gets you into different sites in society, opens many doors and teaches young children life skills.

“Skateboarding is also a sports career and you can even participate in the Olympics representing your country.”

Mofolo encouraged Mamelodi children who like to skate, but don’t have skateboards, to join the club.

“Our club has benefits and we can give beginners skateboards as well as teach them how to skate,” he said.

The club is still trying to get land from the City of Tshwane to build a Skate Park in Mamelodi and a multi-purpose centre that will benefit Mamelodi children.

The club has a skate park at the hall next to Mamelodi police station that came about as an opportunity to fill a gap in terms of creating safe spaces for children last year.

Mofolo added that children in townships are vulnerable to various factors and therefore susceptible to sub-optimal and unhealthy development.

The aim of the club is to empower youth and build a child-friendly community in Mamelodi.

The club was established in May 2021, as a visionary project under the guidance of Tateni community care services in Mamelodi.

Mofolo is a seasoned skater and the club was born with the goal of organising skating as a sport in Mamelodi and providing a safe space for children in the township.

He said recognising the various challenges faced by children in the community, the club aims to create a social skating club that also fosters learning, growth and a sense of belonging for children and young people in Mamelodi.

The Mamelodi skate park mission is to offer all children a public space they can claim as their own and create a sense of belonging.

“The skate park initiative also aims to demonstrate the value of playful learning and empower children to take initiative in their own lives.

“This initiative wants to be the bridge that works close with schools and the community at large. Being aware of local issues will help us achieve this.”

Mofolo added that they want to build a recreational facility for the youth of Mamelodi using sport and art as a tool and at the same time create a safe space as well as tear down social barriers among young people, but are struggling for land.

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