As often as we can, we try to pay a visit to our friends in the small Northern Cape city of Kuruman. As one of the four skateparks in the Northern Cape funded by the NC Provincial Government, the Mothibistad Skatepark in Kuruman is the stomping grounds for several passionate skaters that visit on a daily basis. This past weekend, we met up with a large group of eager skaters and checked out several of Mothibistad’s skate spots that were frequented before the construction of the skatepark before eventually making our way to the skatepark .
As always, we are continuously inspired by the dedication of this tight-knit group of skaters each time we visit them. With over 30 skaters and less than 10 skateboards in rotation between the crew, these guys are doing everything in their power to enjoy what they love most. With no money for gear and no shop to purchase gear at, these guys are lucky if they are able to come up on boards, shoes, and other equipment. The NC Dept. of Sports has been lending them boards from time to time, and on this particular day, several skaters were seen taking turns on 4 of those skateboards. The struggle is real in Kuruman!
Later making our way to the skatepark, we hosted a small competition for the local skaters and gave them a shot to win some stuff. It’s always a pleasure to see the progression of skateboarding in the area each time we visit and the number of skaters continues to multiply, despite the odds being against them. Check out some photos and results from the contest below.
Thanks to everyone who joined us and made us feel welcome, we’re always as stoked to see them as they are for us to pay a visit. Until next time, Kuruman!
Good times this past Sunday visiting our homies at the Kuruman Skatepark in the Northern Cape!#kdcskateNorthern Cape Tourism
Posted by Kimberley Diamond Cup on Tuesday, February 9, 2016
On to the Mothibistad basketball court, one of the few areas in the area with decent flatground and one of the main skate spots that existed before the skatepark was built. Many a game of skate has gone down here in its day.
WSGP intern and Kumba Skate Plaza frontman Erwin Lyon flicks one on his home turf.
JTG represent!
In transit.
This manual pad/ledge is only a block away from the skatepark and another one of the main skate spots in the area, also a highly frequented spot before construction of the skatepark. Not much run up or landing, but otherwise a rad spot considering its placement.
All smiles from the homies.
At 7 years old and only a little taller than his board, this kid was energetically mongo pushing and popping ollies everywhere like a hyper grasshopper. Give this kid a year and he will be blowing minds!
Free range. Maybe not the wild animals a foreigner would expect to encounter in Africa, but in Kuruman, this is not an uncommon sight.
Roll call. Erwin addresses the skaters before getting on with the contest at the Kuruman Skatepark.
One can argue skateboarding’s status as a sport, but this pre-heat handshake was inarguably a sign of good sportsmanship.
Tshepi with a textbook kickflip catch on the oversized A-Frame.
Obakeng knew what it took to leave with a prize in a best trick contest. Boardslide.
We tried to come with enough stuff for everyone. Free Session magazines and AV videos for these guys, thanks to our friends who hold it down behind the scenes at South Africa’s only skate media outlets.
Props to these guys for taking the podium in the beginners division! From left to right: Osego Chabaemang (3rd), Kago Mokhothu (2nd), and Zolani Magida (1st).
Kuruman’s top dogs and Best Trick winners in the advanced division, all these guys left with something dope. From left to right: Bakang Melokwe, Tshepi Seele, Kabo Mochinyane, Obakeng Mochwarakgole, and Renahldo Esterhuizen.
Kuruman represent! These guys know how to make something out of nothing and continue to inspire us each time we visit them.
We ended the day off with a donkey cart sighting, one we’d been hoping for all day. Good times as always in the small, peaceful, Northern Cape city of Kuruman.
Photos & Words: Mike Chinner