South Africa

Editor’s Note: It’s not often that we can compete with the major skate media outlets. We don’t have the resources, and they get paid for what they do. Every once and a while we are in the right place at the right time, or know someone who is. Stefan Hauser has contributed this piece about his recent trip to South Africa, and we’re pleased as hell to publish it. Also coming soon (It’s up now) is a interview with South African skater and scenster, Dallas Oberholzer. Thanks to Stefan and Placed to Ride Skateparks.

Interviewed By Stefan Hauser 5-2-05. Photos by Stefan Hauser and Dallas Oberholzer.

South Africa is the heart of skateboarding in Africa. Located on the southern tip of this vast continent, its closest skate destination is said to be Spain. It took me two nights worth of fly time to arrive at this destination from Oregon (the west coast of North America). The hardest part of my journey was managing to stay awake during the six-hour layover in London so that I’d not miss my connecting flight.

In April, I went from the coming of spring in Oregon to the dawn of autumn, or what is more commonly referred to here as winter. Well, winter in Durban, where I’m presently staying, bears no resemblance to the gloomy days and long nights I’m accustomed to in the Pacific Northwest. Needless to say, they call this warmth cold, and I am grateful. It is better this way, especially if you are down to skate. This is Durban, though, and by no means does this sum up anything of this country (nor does this little report).

South Africa is emerging and is full of contrasts. In my experience, it is one of the most diverse countries on earth, not only geographically, but also economically and culturally.

Apartheid is over, and a new government slightly ten years old is in control. Many people see a very hopeful and vibrant future in this land. Where so many countries on the African continent are struggling, South Africa is glimmering and the economy is becoming stronger. It is emerging and the people are able to see their future in it. By no means do I say South Africa is perfect, but it has hope.

Skateboarding is also still emerging here. Surfing is much more the mainstream. Give it a few years or maybe another decade. For anyone out there willing to search, there remain here some notable skate destinations. New skateparks are being developed mainly in malls by private enterprise. Some free concrete skatepark relics of the past still exist as well. The government, from all I have gathered, sees skateboarding and skateboarders in a bad light and at this point are not shelling out the dough for any new skatepark construction. For South Africans, especially parents, a strong selling point for the mall environment is that it remains a safe haven. The emerging South Africa is a little rough around the edges, both figuratively and literally. Comparatively, South Africa is rather lawless, controlled more by private security guards and electric fences than by police. (Said alone, this should make any street skaters delighted.)

As for the scene, as you might guess, it is rather small.

South Africa is said to hold a first world culture in a third world economy. Most people reading this article probably think of skateboarding as a relatively cheap activity, yet in many parts of the world, it is far from the truth. This is one of the places. Skateboarding at this point in South Africa is primarily only for the privileged and affluent. South Africa has an alarming unemployment rate of about forty percent.

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Skateboarding is still young and as the world changes so quickly, so will the scene here. Go out, travel a little. Seeing outside your own world gives you the opportunity to see a little more inside yourself.

If this story does not instantly get you to go out and buy a plane ticket, don’t worry, there will be a new concrete park opening in Johannesburg in the coming months. That is why I am here.

(Check out the interview with South African skater Dallas Oberholzer)

Stefan

www.ptrskate.com
Placed To Ride, inc.
PO Box 887
Seaside, Oregon 97138
U.S.A.