Skaters from all over South Africa, and even a few from neighbouring countries, battled it out at the Kimberley Diamond Cup (KDC) Grand Slam held at Kimberley’s Skate Plaza on Saturday, 30 August.
Apart from eyeing a share of the R100 000 total prize money on Saturday, skaters also put their hope on a first, second or third place as qualifier to take part in the KDC Championship on 6 December, also at the Skate Plaza.
As part of the KDC Grand Slam Championship series, events are taking place in six cities with skaters obtaining a first, second or third place qualifying for the championship in December. At the championship they will compete for the title of KDC Champion, and even bigger prize money.
Series events already took place in Bloemfontein, Durban and Kimberley, with an event in Port Elizabeth on 6 September, followed by events in Cape Town and Johannesburg in October, explains project manager of the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Andile Mlawu.
On Saturday spectators were treated to fierce competition and an electrifying atmosphere as local and national talent showcased their skills. They impressed judges and fans with their technical skills and creativity on the board.
The Grand Slam concluded with the top U16 girls as Osego Awuah (first), Mia Joemat (second) and Nancho Booysen (third); and Molemo Modise (first), Garth Philander (second) and Zito Seleka (third) in the boys U16 category.
In the women’s final, Mmabatho Kekana was the winner, Neo Mohlakoane second, and Jodie Seabi third. Tyler Kammies took the first place in the men’s final, Keanu Darries second place, and Khaya Ntsenge third place.
International skateboarding icons hail from Kimberley
While they did not participate in Saturday’s competition, the presence of skateboarding icons Jean Marc Johannes, Boipelo Awuah, and Khule Ngubane added prestige to the event.
Johannes is one of South Africa’s top skateboarding champions, while Awuah – from Kimberley – represented South Africa on the global stage on several occasions.
Awuah arrived days earlier from Russia where she and Brad Bailey, also from Kimberley, competed in the Grand Skate Tour in Moscow. She made it to the final round, where she received fifth place in her category.
Awuah started skating at the Kimberley Skate Plaza at the age of five, and both she and Bailey took part in KDC’s Skateboarding for Hope development programme.
In 2020 at the age of 15, Awuah was already in Tokyo to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, but she fractured her pelvic bone, preventing her from taking part. In 2024 she qualified for the Paris Olympics and ended in 18th place in the Women’s Street event.
Awuah is currently coaching local children at the Skate Plaza and started the 053 Fantasy Girls Skateboarding Foundation.
Skateboarding for Hope programme gives hope, shows possibilities
Mlawu said the Skateboarding for Hope programme is a positive experience for kids, showing them possibilities in life and helps them build valuable life skills.
“Also, they can use their prize money for further development,” he says, remarking there are five skate plazas in the Northern Cape – in Kuruman, Upington, Springbok, De Aar and Kimberley.
KDC is seen as a premier skateboarding competition in the country where top local, national and international athletes participate. But for Kimberley and the Northern Cape, KDC is all about empowering the youth and bringing hope and a safe space to many young athletes.
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