Waves of fun for Genesis surfers
Philani and his enthusiastic group walk between 20 and 24 kilometres from Merlewood, Bhoboyi and Murchison to Port Shepstone beachfront every weekend.
SIXTY surf-loving South Coast children spend every weekend at the beach – in the ocean, and having fun on the beach.
Their inspiring mentor is Philani Sikobi who is a ‘big brother’ to this group of boys and girls, aged from eight to 17.
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Philani, an orphan himself, works in the SafePlay and after school programme at SafePlace, a project of the Genesis Trust.
The SafePlace concept has been developed and extended into SafePlay havens where unattended children can gather under supervision of volunteer workers who assist them with homework and protect them from negative influences.
One of the biggest and most inspiring results of SafePlay is the ‘Genesis Wave of Hope’ led by 29-year-old Philani, a qualified lifeguard and passionate surfer who grew up on the beach at Trafalgar, and became hooked on the ocean.
He has been coaching surfing for more than a decade and was selected four times as a coach for the Southern KwaZulu-Natal team and in 2012, for the South African Development Team.
In 2011, five of his surfers qualified for the Southern KZN team and travelled to Port Elizabeth for the SA Grom Games.
Philani and his enthusiastic group walk between 20 and 24 kilometres from Merlewood, Bhoboyi and Murchison to Port Shepstone beachfront every weekend.
The children own very little, and many are without towels
Joléne Bester-Vujevic, Genesis Centre’s Sustainability Projects Coordinator, said Philani’s incredible manner with these vulnerable children was awe-inspiring.
“Starting off with 30 children desperately wanting to escape their daily lives and experience the joy of surfing, the group has now grown to more than 60 children and there is a long waiting list,” said Joléne.
Philani said he was just giving back by using surfing as a tool to connect children and teenagers to the sport, to give them an opportunity in life and to share the Gospel with them.
He is determined to change lives though the gift of surfing – not to make world champion surfers, but world changing young men and women.
If you would like to donate a towel or three, contact Joléne at 063 7617630.
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