Skateboarding for Hope brings the vibe to the Northern Cape
The skating for Hope finals took place in Kimberley on Sunday, where skaters from across the province came to show their skills on their boards. Several winners were crowned, but the biggest winner of them all was the skateboarding movement itself.
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If you were anywhere near a skate park in the Northern Cape this winter, you probably heard the buzz, boards slapping concrete, cheers echoing, and the unmistakable energy of a movement on the rise. That was Skateboarding for Hope rolling through town, and trust me, it wasn’t just about nailing kickflips.
From 31 May to the big showdown on Sunday, 29 June at the Kimberley Skate Plaza, Skateboarding for Hope lit up Springbok, Upington, De Aar, Kuruman, and finally Kimberley. Over 40 young skaters from across the province brought their A-game to the final.
This wasn’t just a contest. It was a full-on youth revolution, backed by the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism with support from the Provincial Government. Their mission? To spark opportunity, grow confidence, and build communities, one trick at a time.
Young shredders weren’t just skating for the win; they were skating with South African legends. Jean-Marc Johannes (yeah, the guy with international medals in gold, silver and bronze) and Olympian Boipelo Awuah showed up not just to inspire but to mentor. They proved that it’s possible to go from local park sessions to the world stage with enough passion and persistence.
The whole programme wasn’t just about landing tricks, either. Each session, whether an open jam, clinic, or competition, was a crash course in life. Kids learnt to believe in themselves, got creative, made friends, and even discovered potential careers in sport, tourism, and entrepreneurship.
By the time the wheels stopped spinning in Kimberley, it was clear: the Northern Cape is fast becoming South Africa’s new capital of extreme sports. With prize money over R80,000, first-place champs Nacho (women’s) and Letsile (men’s) each walked away with R5,000, but the real prize? A community sparked with potential.
This was more than a series of events. It was a statement. A movement. A declaration that young people in the Northern Cape have talent, drive, and a future bursting with possibility.
So here’s to every skater who showed up, every community that cheered them on, and every leader who believed in their journey. Skateboarding for Hope wasn’t just a campaign; it was a turning point, where each skater could realise that their hopes and dreams could become a reality if they put their minds to it.