Skateistan Launches New Project

Beyond Sport Regular – Skateistan, have announced the launch of their latest project in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Their launch in South Africa is an extension of the ongoing work in Afghanistan and Cambodia.

Skateistan is an international organisation which uses skateboarding to connect vulnerable youth with educational opportunities, focusing particularly on girls and disadvantaged youth. Over 40% of Skateistan’s students are girls.

Skateistan will construct a high-quality skatepark and educational facility in the Maboneng Precint, Johannesburg through a lease partnership with the urban development company, Propertunity.

Skateistan South Africa has a long-term vision to work throughout the region in coming years, guiding youth-leg community projects. The move into the region is due to the success the project has had in Afghansitan and Cambodia, where they have been able to use skateboarding as a hook to address complex social issues facing youth in the regions. In South Africa Skateistan will be doing the same work, addressing barriers such as social inequality, youth unemployment, gender discrimination, poverty and the lack of educational opportunities in some of the most-at-risk communities in Johannesburg.

There is a strong emphasis on reaching out to girls, street-involved children and marginalised youth. Skateistan South Africa aims to provide youth with leadership opportunities, access to education and a safe environment to build friendships and trust. The educational component will focus on life skills and confidence-building to help break cycles of poverty and exclusion.

Photos courtesy of Skateistan, Mark Straw & Ken Jerrard