Disabled surfer preps for national para champs
The surfer told Fever 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.
Surfer, Phumelelisiswe Pearl Mbele, is not letting her disability get in the way of winning the South African Para Surfing Championships to be held in Scottburgh in July.
Mbhele, who is well-known as Nzunzu, is from Nqabeni, Ward 35 under Ray Nkonyeni but presently lives in Umlazi, Durban.
The surfer told Fever 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. On Friday, last week Mbele met with Ray Nkonyeni Municipality mayor Sikhumbuzo Mqadi to talk about her shortcomings and needs.
Mbele said her love for surfing started in 2006, adding that she needs donations to be able to advance her surfing. “When I lived in South Beach while studying and working, there was a lady who surfed and she was prepared to teach me. In 2020, a friend of mine Olga Bikitsha told me about the organisation, Made for More, which teaches people with disabilities about surfing. 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 which will be on July 30 and 31 in Scottburgh,” she said.
Although Mbele is presently a candidate attorney at NS Attorneys, she said she wants to compete in surfing 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 may 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, I found a clear mind and peace in the sea. That’s why I would love donations towards achieving my goal,” she said.
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