#Skateistan10: Of the past: Mbali Mthethwa, General Manager of Skateistan South Africa
As Skateistan celebrates 10 years, founder Oliver Percovich caught up with some of the most influential individuals that helped Skateistan to grow from its early beginnings in Kabul, into an award-winning international organization. When Skateistan was first established in South Africa, Mbali jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it, leaving her job in the TV industry to become the Communications and Development Manager. Shortly after the Johannesburg Skate School opened in August 2016, she took on the ambitious role of General Manager. Thanks to her positive energy and dedication, she has been at the heart of growing the organization within the local community and now over 300 children attend programs in South Africa each week.
Oliver Percovich: Do you remember the first time that you heard about Skateistan?
Mbali Mthethwa: I was talking with Shruthi, who sits on the Skateistan South African Board, about our lives and how to be the kind of people that we wanted to be and contribute to society in a positive way. I had been working in the film industry in South Africa and I was really jaded about everything that it represented. She suggested I apply to Skateistan, as they were looking for someone to work in communications and development. My response was, “What in the world is a Skateistan?” So I looked it up and saw that it was something that not only answered my need to move into an NGO, but it was something that I would’ve liked to have been a part of when I was a kid. I didn’t know anything about skateboarding, but I loved the fact that Skateistan focused on giving kids an opportunity to be part of a good program after school. When you grow up in a township, especially a post-apartheid one, there’s not really any development for kids. I was born in 1982 and witnessed the tail-end of the apartheid, so I knew what it was to not have anything.
OP: What do you think is the most important thing that a child needs that you felt you were missing?
MM: The kind of space that lets you be free to play, learn and know that you’re safe. When I was growing up, we’d hear these horror stories about girls that had been kidnapped by ‘The Toasters’, these guys that drove around in the hood. No one could do anything about it. The Toasters were pretty hectic, they drove around in their cars and took girls. Girls would disappear for days on end and then show up a week later, after a myriad of things had happened to them. My mum would panic if she did not know where I was and she would threaten to ground me if I wasn't back before the sun went down. Our community had a community hall, but the only things that went on in there were church-related. There was nothing for kids. I definitely could have done with something like Skateistan.
OP: Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Skateistan?
MM: It would definitely have to be from the open day, before we had the Skate School. We didn’t know what the reaction would be so we were all slightly on edge wondering if the kids in the community would like it or even care about skateboarding. One of the things that will forever stick in my mind was not only the interest, but how the parents were so keen to have their kids be somewhere that wasn’t out on the streets. They would tell me how they understood our vision and commended us for actually even caring about this community. Everyone is worried about shops, clothing stores and restaurants and making everything look pretty. But when it comes to the children living in this community, no one really cares about what happens to them. That will forever be a highlight for me — going from not knowing to feeling that we were really doing a good thing and people could see it.
OP: Do you think that Skateistan has changed your overall outlook in any way or had any influence on your life?
MM: For one, my daughter now considers herself an avid skateboarder, which is not something I would ever have thought of because she’s afraid of everything. But she now comes to Skateistan every day and she cries when she can’t skate. It has been a great addition to our lives and a very positive thing. In terms of my personal development, Skateistan is one of the reasons that I have been able to feel confident about my own abilities. I think your confidence in me made me realize that I can be the person that I think I am. In a lot of industries, like the one I worked in previously, you feel very under appreciated, and the idea that you aren’t good enough starts to become part of your psyche. When I started working here I realized that my ideas are valid and that I am more than capable of doing the things that I set my mind to.
OP: Skateistan achieved a lot in the last 10 years. We are now an award-winning organization with 95 members of staff globally. What do you hope that we will achieve in the next 10 years?
MM: If in the next 10 years we could expand into two other countries in Africa, that would be amazing. In a third-world country it can be very difficult to have a positive outlook on your life when you are constantly worrying about the small things, like putting food on the table. Having educational opportunities means that you can become bigger than your circumstances. I’ve spoken to five individuals lately that have asked if we can go to them. They say our programs are amazing, not just the skateboarding but everything else too. This is in rural areas of South Africa alone, where there is nothing available for the kids.
OP: I hope we can achieve that. Thank you so much for talking to me and for being at the heart of the growth and success of Skateistan.
Thanks to the support of individuals, such as Mbali, we have been empowering children through skateboarding and education for 10 years now. Celebrate and follow this milestone with us on the blog, and get ready for our new campaign to support 10 more years of Skateistan which launches May 10th.
