dyton mupawaenda
Trust Khosa
Skating culture is rapidly gaining traction in Zimbabwe’s ghettos, with youths embracing roller-blading and skateboarding as both a sport and a lifestyle.
Once considered a niche activity, skating is now becoming a popular urban movement.
Skateboarding was once a popular activity in many leafy suburbs, where it was associated with individuals perceived as “sober-minded” and respectful of the law.
Open spaces such as parking lots, shopping malls, and well-manned recreational areas were well-known for hosting daring skateboarders who showcased their skills.
However, this trend has now spread to less affluent neighbourhoods, commonly referred to as ghettos, raising genuine concerns about safety.
The fear is that this growing phenomenon could lead to serious injuries or even fatalities, as the activity has become a chaotic mix of thrill-seeking and reckless behaviour.
The allure of skateboarding is hard to resist; young people can now be seen with skateboards in nearly every corner of the city.
It doesn’t seem to matter whether their skating boards are substandard or of high quality; the youth have become ensnared in this captivating trend, making it difficult to ignore.
The audacity of these young skateboarders is striking; they weave in and out of traffic with such confidence that motorists must remain vigilant to avoid accidents.
Moreover, some youths have started using skateboards as a means of transportation during traffic jams on busy roads, adding another layer of complexity to urban mobility.
For instance, on Wednesday morning, an unidentified young man was seen skilfully manoeuvring among early morning motorists along Seke Road near Town House in Harare.
Pedestrians and early shoppers were left in shock, witnessing this energetic lad navigating through rush hour traffic with remarkable agility.
His presence underscored not only the growing popularity of skateboarding but also the potential hazards it poses in a bustling urban environment.
In this evolving landscape, it is crucial to address the safety concerns associated with this activity and to promote responsible skateboarding practices among the youth.
Encouraging safe spaces for skateboarding is essential in mitigating potential risks while allowing young people to enjoy this exhilarating sport responsibly.
“I often witness young skaters along Samora Machel Avenue (in Harare) during my morning commute to work, and I am consistently struck by their remarkable agility.
“It’s alarming to think that they are risking their lives, especially considering how reckless some drivers have become. I frequently question why individuals would put their lives in jeopardy in such a manner,” lamented Tafadzwa Matsate, a vigilant taxi driver who has been in the business for years.
Matsate expressed deep concern over this alarming trend.
“I might have grown up in rural areas where we were not exposed to such activities, but what I see today on busy roads and in urban neighbourhoods is truly shocking. I would never allow my child to engage in such dangerous stunts. Skateboarding should be practiced in a proper, regulated environment to ensure safety. Just as car racing is conducted at designated venues where safety measures are in place, skateboarding deserves the same level of consideration,” lamented Matsate.
On the other hand, Quinton Zahaya, a talented skater from Kumbuzuma, believes there is nothing wrong with practicing skateboarding on major roads.
“I love this sport, and I have been doing it with my friends for years. I find immense joy in it, even though it is often perceived as an activity for those in low-density suburbs. While I may have a substandard skateboard, you never know how far some of these young skaters can go in pursuing their passion,” he remarked.
Like any other sport or initiative, aspiring skaters face numerous challenges.
“The sad reality is that we are not taken seriously because we lack resources. If you visit most high-density areas, you will see young people practicing gymnastics on paved roads, just as you observe us skating in busy streets.
“We are simply advocating for the opportunity to be empowered like others and to fulfil our potential,” stated a learner from Dzivaresekwa, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions from his parents. He recounted a time when he was severely punished by his father for his daring stunts on the skateboard.
“Many of us in the ghetto are raised by strict parents, and you can expect a beating if you do not obey their rules,” he explained.
However, skateboarding and rollerblading are still being done in a professional manner in some closed venues in Zimbabwe.
One such place that has become popular with skaters is Rollers Café, nestled in the heart of Greenfields Retail Park along Samora Machel Avenue in Belvedere.
Skaters and rollers have now found a safe haven where they can relax and enjoy themselves behind closed doors.
A visit to the complex showed that the area was a hive of activity, with young lads going through their stunts. It was a marvel to watch rollers cruising among some of the modern rollerbladers.
These included adjustable kids’ inline skates, surge synergies inline skates, and Oxelo quad skates.
The same activities are common at Sam Levy’s Village in Borrowdale, where multi-racial skaters and rollers have become popular.
In China, Anton Vreling, originally from South Africa, has become a household name on the blading scene after moving to Beijing in 2013.
In an interview with Kate Coy from the Beijinger website, Anton shared why he fell in love with the sport.
Asked how he fell in love with skates and rollers, he was blunt.
“Well, I moved to Beijing in 2013 and have travelled to many places, but wherever I go, I will always have my skates with me. Coming to China was no different. When I first got here, I didn’t know anyone, so I hit a lot of solo sessions. It wasn’t until I reached out on Facebook, asking if anyone knew skaters in Beijing, that someone thankfully put me in touch with a few of the local guys here. As luck would have it, Colin Li, one of the local bladers, just so happened to work right across the road from where I was working at the time, so during my lunch break, I would go across and meet up with him. Then we arranged a weekend session, which is where I met Xiaotian (a key figure in the blading community). With these two people, I managed to meet the rest of the blading community in Beijing, as well as get in contact with rollerbladers all over China,” he shared.
Due to his impact, he also shared his thoughts on why roller-blading has become popular over the years.
“Rollerblade sales saw a huge increase, especially at the start of Covid-19, with folks having to go through the whole lockdown. Since people were advised not to gather in groups, they took to roller-blading for a few reasons.
‘‘Some picked it up again after not doing it for many years, and some decided to give it a try as a form of exercise.
“Then, even after the lockdown, these people continued to skate and have fun. This is amazing to see because the roller-blading industry is getting more and more exposure, which is bringing even more people into the sport,” he added.
The sport is also popular in other European, American and Asian countries.
In Africa, South Africa is also ruling the roost where the sport is properly regulated.
In Zimbabwe, we are still miles behind, although the passion and zeal will always be there.
It will only take proper regulation for the sport to be embraced. While skateboarding or roller-blading can be a thrilling pursuit, it is crucial to create designated spaces that promote safety and responsibility, allowing young people to enjoy their passion without the looming threat of danger.
Online Reporter