THE ORGANISATION PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE RESPONSE TO THE STREET CHILDREN PHENOMENON IN DURBAN
Surfers Not Street Children was founded in 1998 by activist and surfer, Tom Hewitt MBE. Originally under the name Durban Street Team (DST), it was run by a maverick crew of social workers, carers and activists scouting the streets of downtown Durban. The goal was to identify and assist homeless street children.
The organisation fused numerous sports and arts programs with mentorship and care. Surfing was one such sport. A few years later, Tom formed a partnership with renowned South African surfing coach and legend Sandile “Cyril” Mqadi. Developing the surfing program was a key part of their overall strategy. This partnership remains today.
SURFING, MENTORSHIP & CARE BECAME THE BACKBONE OF OUR WORK WITH STREET CHILDREN
Over the years, the organization played a major role in the response to the street children phenomenon in Durban. It empowered many children to leave street life and developed a think-tank of former street children. These children went on to engage in global advocacy and fight a frontline battle for the rights of local street children. They had a great impact on changing how society perceived and treated street children in South Africa. This included the media, authorities and the general public. In 2000, the team most notably won a battle against abusive round-ups and forced removals of street children by local authorities.
These children went on to fight a frontline battle for the rights of local street children
In 2012, the organisation was renamed Surfers Not Street Children. The children had totally embraced surfing. It had become the heart and identity of the organisation. The model of fusing surfing with mentorship and care became the backbone of work in Durban
In 2017, S’lindile Ngema joined the leadership team as head social worker. She has been instrumental in developing the dynamic new GIRLS SURF TOO Program. This program is specifically designed to develop and strengthen our work with girls at risk of street connectedness in Durban.
There was a strong impact on society’s perception and treatment of street children in South Africa
In 2018, Surfers Not Street Children opened up Tofo Surf Club, in Mozambique. This has been made possible through the partnership with the international organisation Scholas Occurrentes, started by Pope Francis. Tofo Surf Club is a diversion and empowerment program for vulnerable children in Tofo Village. It is run by a local, charismatic QS level Mozambican surfer, Mini Cho.
