Ziyaad's Skate School: Empowering youth through skateboarding in Hout Bay

When the Covid-19 pandemic cost Hout Bay resident Ziyaad Davids his job in 2019, he turned to skateboarding as a way to make ends meet.

Today, that decision has grown into Ziyaad’s Skate School, a community-based programme using skateboarding to mentor and support youth from surrounding areas.

"What started as a leap of faith turned into a calling. Skateboarding saved me from alot and it kept me grounded when life could've taken me down the wrong path," said Mr Davids, founder and mentor of Ziyaad's Skate School.

The skateboarding school at the Eyethu Hout Bay Skatepark caters to up to 30 youngsters from Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu.

Before he opened the school, Mr Davids had worked with an NGO in the community, teaching children how to skateboard.

"We used skateboarding as a tool to teach life skills, build confidence, and create community," Mr Davids said.

While teaching, Mr Davids started dreaming of the opportunity to open his own private school, and after leaving the NGO, he decided to give it a go.

"When I left the NGO to start my own private skate school, the same kids I once mentored came back, asking why I am not teaching them any longer," Mr Davids said.

"I told them the truth, I needed to survive."

A few years later, he officially opened his school, which focuses on more than just skateboarding, but also teaches children life skills.

"My main focus is back where it belongs, with the kids from my community. Now I use my story to show kids that skateboarding is more than tricks, it's a way of life. It teaches resilience, balance, discipline, and belief in yourself," Mr Davids said.

Leandro Thomas, 14, from Hangberg, has been skateboarding for nearly 7 years and said the school played a major role in helping him deal with everyday life.

"When I am on my skateboard, I am thinking of nothing; it's like my mind goes somewhere else, so I wanted to get better at it. My friends started going to the skate park, and that is where we saw Ziyaad doing tricks, and he taught us how to do some stuff," Leandro said.

Likho Ndombolo, 15, from Imizamo Yethu, said he used to watch his friends race down the IY streets on the skateboard, making him eager to learn more.

"After watching them, I went to the skate park to watch some other guys, and just watching them taught me something. But I was impressed when Ziyaad started teaching us and opened his school for the children," Likho said.

"I made more friends, got to see more places and also learnt some valuable things, not just about skateboarding."

The skate school hosts regular holiday programmes, even taking some of the boys on leadership and holiday camps to keep children occupied. 

"Growing up on the Cape Flats, I saw firsthand how tough the world can be. I spent years waiting for change, and then I realised, maybe I was meant to be the change," Mr Davids said.

Ziyaad's Skate School operates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the skate park in Hout Bay, and everybody is welcome to join.

To find out more about the skate school or if you wish to get involved or donate, contact Ziyaad on 063 200 6381.