Meet Mr Bongani

I live with my uncle and aunt in Cape Town. We are a big family of 5 siblings. I joined Isiqalo in January of this year as part of my gap year from my studies. This is my blog

`Madness. Complete and utter madness`. These were the words that rushed from my friend while he vigorously, and in a negative way, nodded his head up and down. I had just carefully explained to him how I spent my day.

To him I ridiculously braved the stormy weather just to hop on a piece of blue foam. To many people in my community surfing is not a cool way to spend a day. There are many people who share the same opinion as my friend, but I cannot really blame them for believing all the negative stereotypes linked with surfing.

Looking back, two decades ago it was impossible for people of my colour to be at a beach at all, let alone happily surfing all day. Most black people were by law banned from participating in certain sports and surfing was just one of them. Most of the good beaches which offered good waves were also lawfully preserved for white people only.

But times change. Today surfing is my way of having fun, being part of and helping the community. Through Isiqalo foundation (a community) I have come to meet many warm-hearted people who always supported me from the very first moment I ever picked up a surfing board. Everyday I have made it my responsibility to be there for my community and be also helpful with every passing wave.

Not every wave will be good but when the bad waves come you can always be happy that the community will be there to support and cheer you until another set of good waves appear.

Through surfing we learn to let go and let the waves dilute all our problems. With every solid rush of water beneath the board you feel yourself gaining momentum until, eventually, everything is in your control.

A good wave ride requires a great deal of determination and real understanding of the waves, through listening to the wave you`ll be able enjoy yourself. Everyone at Isiqalo foundation has come to realize how easily problems can be resolved by simply reflecting on the events while surfing. Not every wave will be good but when the bad waves come you can always be happy that the community will be there to support and cheer you until another set of good waves appear.

To me Isiqalo is family and you can never walk away from a member who is in need.