An “impossible” dream to represent his country in longboarding is within reach for Vrygrond local Mbuso Zozi. He has been selected to represent South Africa at the prestigious ISA World Longboarding Championships in the surf city of El Sunzal, El Salvador.
An “impossible” dream to represent his country in longboarding is within reach for Vrygrond local Mbuso Zozi. He has been selected to represent South Africa at the prestigious ISA World Longboarding Championships in the surf city of El Sunzal, El Salvador.
For this global event, which takes place from Thursday 18 to Thursday 25 April, he is in the final throes of raising enough funds to fulfill his dream. From the harsh realities of Vrygrond, he rose to hone his surfing skills through sheer determination and passion, to chasing a dream and carrying community aspirations on his shoulders.
With a financial target of R120 000 to make that dream a reality, donors from far and wide dug into pockets raising a staggering R89 900.
With more than a month before the start of the event, Zozi is in arrears of over R30 000 to make the trip a success. The funds will cover travel expenses, equipment, a United States of America (USA) transit visa, travel insurance, extra baggage charges for longboards, airport transfers, a new custom longboard as back-up, board bags, contest entry fees, accommodation and food.
Reflecting on his journey, Zozi said he was introduced to shortboarding at the Surfshack Surfschool in Muizenberg at the age of 11. He told People’s Post he could not believe his dreams were coming true. “I started shortboarding at age 11. All my friends were doing it and I didn’t want to be left behind. It was difficult because for seven years I wasn’t getting good results at surf competitions.”
Switching to longboard at age 17 with the help of Surfshack Surfschool, Zozi discovered his true passion. “When I’m in the water I think of nothing else except the next wave and it is almost meditative and totally mind-clearing. Secondly, surfing is one of the only ways a person can truly harness and manipulate pure, natural energy (waves).”
For Zozi, who grew up in a poverty-stricken community marred by gang violence, the opportunity to represent SA is a dream come true.
“I still can’t believe I will be representing SA at the World Championships. I have always dreamed of going overseas and representing my country.”
He has come a long way since the start of his surfing journey, a measure of his character and commitment. Zozi has worked his way up from outreach participant to senior management at Surfshack.
Owner of Surfshack Surfschool David Chudlegh, who has known Zozi since the inception of the outreach programme, said he was excited for the young man who plans to do well at the world champs. “He leaves on Wednesday 3 April and considering that he has never set foot in an airport, he is exceptionally excited and focused on doing well.”
Commenting on the outreach programme, Chudlegh said before Covid-19 the school ran regular surf programmes aimed at learners from Vrygrond, Steenberg and Lavender Hill. “We had an outreach programme for many years, which is where he was introduced to the programme. He progressed to being part of our instructor group and now he is in management at the school.”
At the time, the outreach programme ran in collaboration with the Christian David Primary School, which sent learners aged from 10 and 11 to surf lessons.
“We would pick them up after school and during the holidays and they grew with us until they became adults. The outreach programme assisted many youngsters who learnt to surf with us and then went on to represent Western Province in longboarding and shortboarding.”
For more info visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/mbuso-zozi-5838005790419910645
