National Junior team member, Ntando Msibi, took top honours on Tuesday at the 2014 Kushayi’igagasi competition at Dairy Beach. It’s Ntando’s second consecutive victory at the annual event, which showcases the talents of the rippers from the Umthombo and Surfers Not Street Children programmes.
Durban ripper, Ntando Msibi clinched his second successive Kushayi’igagasi title.
In the small surf on offer, Ntando clinched victory in all the heats he contested, although stiff competition came in the form of Sifiso Ncgobo (2nd), Sihle Mbutho (3rd) and Andile Zwane (4th).
Check out the official press release below.
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NTANDO MSIBI WINS 2014 KUSHAYI’IGAGASI CONTEST AT DAIRY BEACH
Rain and small surf at Dairy Beach did not to dampen the spirits of the surfers and spectators who arrived at Dairy Beach in Durban on the Day of Reconciliation to take part in the 3rd annual Kushayi’igagasi Surf Contest.
The annual event, which provides a platform for surfers from the Umthombo and Surfers Not Street Children programmes to showcase their surfing skills, is certainly becoming a highlight on the annual surfing calendar.
The elite division was won by KZN Junior Surfer of the Year and 2014 National Junior Team member Ntando Msibi, and although he won all of his heats plus the Final, he was challenged by some radical surfing from a number of the other competitors.
In the end Msibi’s experience and skill saw him produce his second Kushayi’igagasi victory in a row and secured him R4000 in cash and an all expenses, mentored surf trip to Mozambique, courtesy of the SA Surfing Legends.
Fellow Surfers Not Street Children members Sifiso Ncgobo, Sihle Mbutho and Andile Zwane were second, third and fourth respectively in the Final which was completed in 3 foot surf.
Other award winners were Samelikiswe Cele, Avuyile Ndamase, Khetho Ngcobo, Dennis Pym, Anele Ncane, Mthunzi Mthembu, Siyanda Hewitt, Thabiso Mavundla, Sandile Mbuthuma and Sifiso Mhlongo.
This Kushayi’igagasi contest has a great vibe to it thanks to its combination of personalities such as organizer John McCarthy, Contest Director Ann Wright, top Umthombo coach and international judge Sandile Mqadi and others, all of whom ensure that the event has is run like a proper surf contest with the added bonus of rocking music, a great commentator and a huge celebration.
The event was funded by Mark Snowball of Logistical Solutions Africa, Surfing South Africa through their Lotto grant for transformation projects and ASP Africa. The 2014 Kushayi’igagasi was also supported by a host of benefactors, such as the SA Surfing Legends, Teddi Adams of the KZN Sport Development and Recreation Department, O’Neill South Africa, KZN Surfing Association and the Ethekweni Municipality.
The contest was sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, the recognized governing body for the sport. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
So, if you’re a Whitey you can’t enter?
Isn’t that racism?
I think it depends. If your Mommy is dropping you off at the Dairy Bowl in a Land Rover and helps you put on your spring suit…probably not. If you’re a legitimate white, impoverished street kid, then it’s still not clear if you could enter. Until there’s a kid with such circumstances we’ll never know. It does kind have an “us” vs “them” thing….but i think this event does a world of good to these kids on the whole and I commend those who help organize it. legends. Well done Ntando!