Waves of change - how street children find meaning in surfboards
Two countries. Two programs. One purpose
Change always involves special people. You can go back time and time again to prove this hypothesis. Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Leonardo da Vinci, Oskar Schindler, Nelson Mandela - each name left the world a better place than they found it. This unwritten law is inscribed in the annals of humanity.
Its ripple effects transcended geographical boundaries, traveling from the streets of Durban, South Africa, to the "land of good people" in Mozambique. There, it found a voice in the individuals who looked beyond the despair of the streets, envisioning a world where every child could redefine their destiny through the power of the ocean.
But to fully understand how Tofo Surf Club is helping Mozambican kids find purpose and stay out of trouble (and in school), we have to travel back to 1998.
1998 wasn't just a pivotal year for South Africa, witnessing the nascent stages of a post-apartheid era, but also for a group of individuals who saw the boundless potential in the marginalized youth. Four years post the first free and fair elections in South Africa, the tides were turning, albeit slowly. The surfing community in Durban was predominantly white, mirroring the racial divide prevalent in society at the time. However, the slight change in pigmentation in South Africa's lineups brought with it a few committed people daring to challenge the status quo.
Founded by lifelong surfer Tom Hewitt MBE, the Durban Street Team (the former name of the organization), was committed to helping disadvantaged youth in and around the city overcome social, economic and educational disadvantages. A small unit of social workers, carers, volunteers, and activists formed the program's backbone, scouting the streets of downtown Durban to extend a helping hand to homeless street children. Holistic in their approach, instead of offering mere handouts, they sought to provide a platform for these kids to rediscover their self-worth and build a sense of community through a mix of sports & arts initiatives intertwined with mentorship and care.
Among the array of programs, surfing stood out as a catalyst for change, providing an avenue for children to experience the thrill of literally and metaphorically riding waves. Depending on who you asked, luck or their shared love for the ocean would bring together Tom and renowned South African surfing coach and legend Sandile "Cyril" Mqadi to transform the organization's surfing program into what is today the cornerstone of their strategy.
It's also the ocean that gifted the NGO its final name. One day, sweltering hot amid the African sun, Tom gathered a group of kids from the program, offering them wetsuits. Despite the heat, the kids were eager to put them on. When asked why, their response was simple yet profound, "when we wear wetsuits, we are surfers, not street children."
At that moment, the meaning behind the initiative revealed itself. For most of us, wetsuits are a means to an end. They aren't comfortable or particularly fashionable, but they keep us warm. They keep us in the surf longer, which is ultimately what they are made for. But for them, the kids living on the streets in Durban, wetsuits signify a badge of a new identity, a cloak that shed the label of “street children” and decorated them with a title that reflected hope, freedom, and a community that embraced them – surfers.
There's a fundamental truth about change. It's contagious and transient by nature. An assertion impressively displayed 1000 kilometers north of Durban in the form of Tofo Surf Club.
While the core essence of using surfing as a tool for transformation remains the same, the narrative of challenges veers from homelessness in South Africa to substance abuse and lack of educational & employment opportunities in Tofo.
The inception of Tofo Surf Club in 2018 was a conscious iteration of the Durban model, established to address the unique socio-economic dynamics of Tofo. The Mozambican diversion and empowerment program is a byproduct of the different societal fabric in the Inhambane region, where tourism, though a revenue generator, often lures children into a cycle of early school dropout, drugs & alcohol, and a bleak future with limited career choices.
Iconic Mozambican surfer and friend of Duct Tape Theory Mini Cho, along with Julia Fernando and Castro Nhambir, runs Tofo Surf Club, offering a structured post-school and weekend outpost. The club isn't just a place where kids grab their boards and catch a few waves, though. It provides a sanctuary where children find mentorship, learn life skills, and get a shot at a better future.
One of the club's focal points is to ensure that children are positioned to take advantage of local industries, such as tourism and ocean-related activities, in a meaningful way - not as cheap labor, but as educated, skilled individuals contributing to the region's growing economy. This long-term vision is the foundation of the club's activities, designed to provide the kids with the tools they need to build a sustainable future.
The change narrative isn't confined to the boys only. The "Girls Surf Too" initiative is a strong statement against the traditional prejudices prevalent in Tofo and beyond. With Julia, the first female surfer in Mozambique, as a role model, the project is challenging gender biases and encouraging empowerment for girls.
Tofo Surf Club's approach, tailored to address local adversities, is making strides in changing societal attitudes, providing children with a platform to redefine their destiny, much like its predecessor in Durban. Through the blend of surfing, mentorship, and life skills, the club is paving a path for the children of Tofo towards a horizon brimming with opportunities, transcending the immediate hardships that threaten to stifle their potential.
In the heart of Durban and Tofo, surfing transcends the act of riding waves - it's a lifeline, a departure from societal shackles, and a glide towards empowerment. The rippling impact of Surfers Not Street Children and Tofo Surf Club resonates beyond the beaches, and into the heart of communities, challenging us to see beyond circumstances and towards potential. As waves continue to arrive on our shores, they carry with them stories of change, urging us to ponder - what waves of change can we set in motion in our own spheres, and who gets to ride them towards a brighter horizon?
Tune in to our Mozambican expedition here
Awesome story and writing Sunny, loved it!