JIBILIKA

We launched the project SKATE ZIMBABWE as an extension of JIBILIKA in May this year. Jibilika is a creative and social enterprise that promotes the development of popular youth culture for the empowerment of young people and community transformation.

The skate initiative is a brainchild of Plot Mhako, Mukudzei Nyamhamba and three skaters Wayne Klinkenberg, Nigel Junior Peters and Lesley Cash. Prior to the festival we had been conducting training sessions in Glen-View and Budiriro, Harare.
Jibilika festival this year introduced a new format now that saw the expansion from a two day event to to three and the growth of the program to accomodate more elements of youth culture.
Our goal has been to develop, empower and positively engage the youth by offering various skills, exposure and opportunities.

Promoting arts and elements of youth cuItue as a way of giving young people alternative forms of recreation in the face of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and unemployment.

We invited Cape-Town based but Zimbabwean skate champion Chenai Ngwandure to come, showcase and facilitate two workshops during the festival

The response during the festival was overwhelming. We conducted to sessions, on in Mbare and another one at the Harare Railways Station which saw at least twelve skaters turning up who dislayed carious tricks and also taught tens of other young people who had never experienced the sport before. Through constant promotion, exposure and development of skate parks i see the sport growing since young people are showing great excitement to learn already. Before we started the program there were a few

The future of the sport is very bright. In Zimbabwe skating is not very popular with isolated activity in some neighbourhoods in Harare and Bulawayo. Very few had skateboards and were already skating but since we now have regular programs in communities it is helping spread it. Also Jibilika bought some skateboards and Chenai Gwandure also donated several boards and spare parts. All the resources are for free access to anyone wishing to learn and practice.