On June 6, the Eyethu Hout Bay Skatepark was alive with possibility. SA Harvest joined forces with Ziyaad’s Skate School to host a day that showed how food, mentorship, and community can unlock opportunity for young people.
Young skaters at Eyethu Hout Bay Skatepark learning their first moves during the SA Harvest and Ziyaad’s Skate School event.
Jason Vanporppal’s Journey Inspires
The highlight of the day was the arrival of Jason Vanporppal, the Los Angeles skateboarder who had just completed an extraordinary 6 000km journey from Kampala to Cape Town. His mission, raising funds to build Uganda’s first permanent public skatepark, has captured global attention.
Jason’s trek across seven countries was more than a physical feat. It was a living symbol of perseverance and Ubuntu. Along the way, strangers offered him food, shelter, and encouragement, proving that community spirit knows no borders. Meeting him in Hout Bay gave local children a chance to see that dreams as bold as skating across a continent can be achieved.
As Jason told them, “Please follow your dreams. Please don’t give up. Please keep going no matter how dark it looks.”
Ozzy Nel, CEO of SA Harvest, with Los Angeles skateboarder Jason Vanporppal and Ziyaad Davids, founder of Ziyaad’s Skate School, at the Eyethu Hout Bay Skatepark.
Ziyaad’s Skate School: Local Impact
Alongside Jason stood Ziyaad Davids, founder of Ziyaad’s Skate School, who mentors children in Hout Bay through skateboarding. From toddlers learning their first tricks to teenagers finding belonging on the ramps, his programme proves that safe spaces can nurture confidence and talent. Recreational hubs like Eyethu Skatepark are vital for keeping youth away from toxic habits and gangsterism, while building resilience and community pride.
Nourishment as the Foundation
For SA Harvest, the day was about more than skateboards and tricks. Hunger is one of the greatest barriers to opportunity, and in South Africa, the crisis is stark. Twenty‑seven percent of children under five experience food poverty, and the number of children suffering from “wasting” has doubled since 2016. That is why we made sure every child at the skatepark received a nutritious meal. Feeding the children was not only an act of service but a statement of dignity. No child should chase dreams on an empty stomach.
The food shared at Eyethu Skatepark was rescued surplus, quality food that would otherwise have gone to waste. Redirecting it to the children turned potential loss into nourishment and created a moment where Jason’s global journey, Ziyaad’s local mentorship, and SA Harvest’s mission came together. On that Saturday in Hout Bay, rescued food was more than a meal. It was the connection point between opportunity on the ramps and dignity at the table.
A Day of Connection
Children and mentors gather at the Eyethu Hout Bay Skatepark, celebrating connection and community during SA Harvest’s youth event.
The atmosphere at Eyethu Skatepark was alive with skateboards rolling, music playing, and children cheering each other on. Meeting Jason, who skated across Africa, felt like a dream come true for many. Between tricks and high‑fives, he reminded the youth that perseverance can turn passion into purpose.
One young skater said: “I never thought I’d meet someone who skated across Africa.”
That moment captured the spirit of the day, proof that inspiration and opportunity can change lives.
Backing Young Futures
Ozzy Nel, CEO of SA Harvest, in conversation with Los Angeles skateboarder Jason Vanporppal, surrounded by young skaters eager to learn and connect.
This event was not the end but a beginning. SA Harvest remains committed to backing young futures through food security, mentorship, and partnerships that create safe spaces for growth. The smiles at Eyethu Skatepark showed that when community, courage, and opportunity come together, the impact is lasting.
We are grateful to all the stakeholders who made this day possible. Together, we are building more than skateparks and meals. We are building futures filled with resilience, talent, and hope.
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