Article Search

 Surf's up for dedicated Durban street kids
    November 06 2005 at 12:41PM Get IOL on your
mobile at m.iol.co.za

By Noelene Barbeau
Vincent Ngema came to Durban to earn a living. His mother died in 1996, he never met his father and his family could not take care of him.

Ngema used to wash cars at the beachfront to make money - until he met Alan Wallace, who taught him to surf.

This was four years ago and now, he is the teacher. Go down to uShaka beach any day of the week and there you will find four youngsters, who used to live on the streets, teaching children how to surf and kayak.

"I'm a qualified lifeguard and have being teaching people how to surf for five years now," said Wallace. "Victor used to wash my car at Addington Beach until I thought about offering him this opportunity."
Continues Below ↓





Wallace heard about Bongani Matha, 21, from a lifesaving friend who taught Matha how to swim, and soon introduced him to surfing. Matha lived at the former Tong Lok restaurant in Point Road with other street children. He's been surfing for nine months and now lives at a shelter near uShaka Marine World. "These guys are so dedicated and passionate about what they do," said Wallace.

Both Ngema and Matha have completed a kayaking course and are using their skills to teach others. Ngema has also been on a surfing course. "If a day goes by without my going into the water, it just doesn't feel right," he said. There are about 30 children being taught by Wallace and Ngema. Many are from the area, or are tourists.
"Victor helped a little girl from Slovenia overcome her fear of water," said Wallace.


"She was on holiday with her family and, after a week with Victor, she was out in the water and loving it. She sent Victor a letter when she got home thanking him for changing her life."

Matha is enjoying every minute out in the water or teaching others. He has encouraged his friends to come on board. Four of them, including Matha, have stayed with the development programme.
barbeau@sundaytribune.co.za

    • This article was originally published on page 4 of AFP on November 06, 2005
Email StoryPrint Story
BOOKMARK THIS STORY
Social bookmarking allows users to save and categorise a personal collection of bookmarks and share them with others. This is different to using your own browser bookmarks which are available using the menus within your web browser.

Use the links below to share this article on the social bookmarking site of your choice.

Read more about social bookmarking at Wikipedia - Social Bookmarking

muti



Watch IOLs latest videos on YouTube Join IOLs Facebook page Follow IOL on Twitter





     Online Services

Date Your Destiny
 
I'm a 45 year old man looking to meet women between the ages of 39 and 49.
 

     More Services

     More General Stories

     Breaking News      Most Read Stories
      Top News Stories
      Top South Africa Stories
      Top Reads - Yesterday



     Entertainment      Motoring
Introducing the Carters
Ronnie's ex a love cheat - report
Steve Tyler back in rehab

     Business
Nestle closure in Zimbabwe an 'over-reaction': Mugabe
Zimbabwe needs $45 billion for economy: minister
Eskom hike will cost economy R150 billion - Sacci
Race on! Schumacher signs to drive for Mercedes
VW's 'Blue Angels' set to shepherd 2010 'Dakar' racers
One-77 closes on new Aston Martin record
Biking brotherhood focuses on fresh blood
Iran's women motocross racers face uphill ride

     Travel
Thousands wait for Eurostar trains
Can I get that without meat?
Taking the trouble to look
Smog sinks Hong Kong's famous skyline
Festive fare for hard times? Bottle it
     Careers
Changing lanes in the career highway
Getting to grips with the transport industry
To be your own boss, believe in yourself first
Salary survey puts unstable economy into the equation
Development of child is key