The misunderstood thrill-seekers
Although not as popular as football or netball, the sport of skating is slowly grinding its way into the hearts of Sowetans – quite literally.
Although not as popular as football or netball, the sport of skating is slowly grinding its way into the hearts of Sowetans – quite literally. Various skating groups can be seen in the streets of Soweto on any given day.
One such skater is Banele Mapela. He, along with his friends, are one of many skating groups on the rise in Soweto. “It is very different from anything I have ever done. There is a different feel to it, freedom in a way,” said 15-year-old Mapela.
“There is also a very big element of helping one another. When I started skating I didn’t know anything, but the guys were very helpful and because of that I was able to learn quickly.”
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His close friend and one of the people who helped him hone his skills, Khumo Konopi (15), said he may consider going professional with his skating. “For now I’m still just doing it for fun. If a path to do it professionally comes up, then I can consider it. I look at all the big skaters in the world and I think ‘I could do that’. Education comes first though,” said Konopi.
Busting the myth that skateboarding is exclusive to so-called ‘rich kids’, Konopi revealed that a regular skateboard goes for as little as R160. It does however depend on how much detail you want on your skateboard: you can buy a separate plank or individual wheels.
You can also choose to customize your skateboard, although it may cost you a bit higher. For those looking to join the skating revolution, Konopi shared a few tips.
“Well, firstly you have to have the passion for it. It’s not as easy as it looks and you will fall plenty of times. But the key to the whole thing is practice. As cliché as it sounds, with skateboarding, only practice makes perfect,” he said.
Konopi also added that there seemed to be misconceptions about who skaters were in society. “We do get looked at differently. There is an idea that skaters are vandals or lawbreakers. Some people treat us like thieves, but all these things are just stereotypes. We are simply young people who enjoy skating after school,” said Konopi.
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