“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
– Pele
Thank you, Pele, they’re doing just that!
“They” are soccer players too; five young men from the Sport for Youth programme led by Matt Davis of St Francis Bay.
Masinyusane is an inspiring career guidance course based on the premise of working in partnership with mentors and fellow participants. Masinyusane is isiXhosa, which means helping each other rise.
St Francis Bay United
Our guys – all St Francis Bay United Soccer Club members – were mentored by Dr Darryl Smith. Working with Dr D, as they like to call him, each of them constructed a personal career narrative for his life. The course consisted of eight sessions over two months. It included a formal career assessment known as “True Colours”, which enabled them to identify their dominant personality colours.
That sounds so cool I want to do it myself.
Then followed self-assessments of their strengths and weaknesses, exercises on values, and career and study information.
“During the programme, they moved from good friends to brothers committed to supporting each other on their challenging career journeys”, said Darryl.
Complete About-Turn
After receiving their certificates at a ceremony in the community hall from Dr Toni Gennrich, the guys shared what the course meant to them. For some, it was a confirmation and strengthening of the career path they are already pursuing. For one of them, it was a complete about-turn and a re-focusing on greater strengths.
“We found out what we’re good at.”
“I can train – I have a talent for working at our local gym.”
“I understand myself better and can prepare for what’s coming.”
“I can see myself somewhere”, one of them told me. I like to think he speaks for all of them.
Each guy’s “somewhere” is his own somewhere in the hospitality industry, architecture, carpentry, or specialised crafts in the building industry.
Imagine that combination for a great start-up business!
St Francis has some very fit cyclists: Roly, Jacques, Trevor, Juan, Jonny, Tony, Phil and quite a few more.
I’m not one of them.
I’m not even in the B team …. I only cycle our 25km MTB route about twice a month. My excuse for not cycling more is that I have to walk my dog.
So when I was invited to cycle the 220km Baviaans from Willowmore to Patensie in October, I was more than a bit anxious.
The very tough Trans Baviaans cyclists complete this in one day, but our trip was to be over four days, so I thought I just might be able to manage.
But then the forecast was for some 35 degree days, so I was really panicking.
And then the big decision: to ebike or not to ebike??
I am fortunate to have a regular bike and an ebike, but my ebike is very entry level, cost me a fraction of most of the others in town.
To suffer exhaustion or loss of pride??
So Gary the organiser said “Bring both bikes”
It was a beautiful sunny but not too hot morning when we set off from Willowmore Main Street, so I thought I would start on my old regular bike.
And, due to the patience of the other eight much fitter cyclists, I surprisingly never even offloaded my ebike from the rack on the back of our bakkie for the entire trip.
More about the route
I can highly recommend this cycling adventure, which isn’t too taxing, even on a regular bike, and is easy for anyone to organise, with a variety of overnight options.
Our trip from Willowmore to Patensie went like this:
Day 1: 50km to Makkadaat Caves
Day 2: 50km to Zandvlake
Day 3: 70km (over the “Mother”) to Kudu Kaya
Day 4: 40km to Tolbos, Patensie
With four days, we had time to enjoy the beauty, although it was still a huge challenge for me, this being the longest ride I’ve ever done. We had beautiful late afternoon walks at the three stopovers, not that we needed the exercise.
Early starts helped us avoid the heat, although it was probably never much over 30 degrees. The encouragement from the other cyclists, all from East London, somehow got me over the “Mother” and the other lesser obstacles, without much walking.
What a very lekker four days, arranged by the one and only Gary Atkinson and Janine Atkinsonteam.
Highlights😀
Sleeping in a cave
Swimming in pools next to the road, and at Zandvlakte, and up the Kudu Kaya kloof
Cycling through so many river crossings, deliciously cooling, and only falling once (at Langwater, but no one saw it, so it doesn’t count)
The farm tour with farmer Piet Kruger at Zandvlakte, including sundowners and a talk about the merits of Spekboom
A very lekker group
The buffalo right next to the road at Bergplaas
Surviving the very steep 8km “Mother” climb with hardly any walking, encouraged by my old mate and “coach” Steve Keet
Janey cycling the last day (Kudu Kaya, Cambria to Tolbos at Patensie)
Robin De Kock (left) with another surfing legend, Graham Hynes
The current General Manager of Surfing South Africa, Robin de Kock, announced his retirement recently. In a career spanning 50 years of involvement with the sport and 40 years of running it in South Africa, Robin has decided to spend more time with his family.
Robin De Kock’s lifelong dedication to surfing began when he started surfing at the early age of eight in 1960, setting the stage for his remarkable journey in the sport.
Administrative Journey
His administrative journey in the sport is a story of commitment and dedication. It commenced at the club level when he was elected as the Secretary-General of the Atlantic Surf Club in 1974.
In 1976, he earned a position on the panel of accredited officials at the South African Surfing Championships. Thereafter he worked at this event and international contests such as the Gunston 500, the Spur Surfabout, the European Surfing Championships, and the ISA World Surfing Championships for three decades.
His leadership skills were recognised in 1980 when he was elected President of WP Surfing and Vice President of the South African Surfing Association after serving as its Secretary General for six years.
In 1988, he was elected President of the South African Surfing Association, a role that paved the way for his historic election as the first President of the unified body (Surfing South Africa) in 1991.
He held this position until 2002. Thereafter, he was appointed the first General Manager of Surfing South Africa.
His prowess in team leadership was evident as he successfully managed the SA Surfing Teams nine times between 1982 and 2004, a testament to his dedication and skill in the sport.
International Surfing Association
In 1998, he was elected Vice President of the International Surfing Association. Furthermore, he was re-elected four times and stood down in 2012. He remains a member of the ISA Technical Committee.
Here are some significant milestones in his 40-year career as a surfing administrator. Moreover, these milestones are a testament to his dedication and the impact he has had on the sport.
The unification of the sport in 1991.
The establishment of the annual Grommet Development Surfing Games in 1992, which remains the primary transformation and development tournament for Surfing SA.
South Africa’s return to the International Surfing Association in 1992.
A State Presidents Award from Nelson Mandela in 1996. He was elected as Vice President of the ISA from 1998 until 2012.
Presenting the ISA World Surfing Games in Durban in 2002, South Africa won.
South Africa’s victory at the 2013 ISA World Games in Panama.
Surfing’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan. Bianca Buitendag won a silver medal for South Africa and surfing during these games, which were held in 2021.
Gratitude and Thanks
Surfing South Africa President Isaac February expressed profound gratitude and thanks for the General Manager’s service.
“On behalf of the entire surfing community, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for your incredible dedication and leadership over many years. Your unwavering commitment and passion have shaped the organisation and significantly contributed to the growth and development of surfing in South Africa,” said February.
“Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. Your legacy of dedication, mentorship, and love for the surfing community will continue to inspire and guide us. We are profoundly grateful for your contributions.”
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