Oniipa skatepark expands its reach
In 2021, Kondja Shaimemanya (27), and his team at Deluded Bros Arthouse built a skatepark in Oniipa to provide local kids with a space to skate, build relationships, and find hope through skateboarding.
Speaking in a telephone interview with Sportwrap yesterday, Shaimemanya explained the motivation behind the project.
“We decided to build the park in Oniipa because that’s where the kids are. It’s for them. Skateboarding gives them hope, and we wanted to give them a space where they can grow and connect,” he said.
The skatepark, located near a floodplain where children often play soccer, has become a vibrant community hub. Shaimemanya estimates that over 300 visitors have enjoyed the park since its inception.
“The kids love it, and the adults go absolutely insane just watching them. It’s about building relationships and creating joy,” he added.
The project is mostly self-funded, with the team designing and building everything in-house. However, they have also received support from international organizations namely Rollbrett Mission and SkateAid (Germany), and Blue Tomato (Austria), as well as individual donors.
Despite this assistance, the team faces challenges in acquiring enough gear to meet the growing demand.
“Skateboarding is a wear-and-tear sport. Shoes, decks, and clothes get old fast. Safety gear like helmets and pads is also critical. We welcome used decks and equipment to keep the kids skating,” Shaimemanya said.
Importantly, the park is free for everyone. “Skateboarding is for free. You can’t buy the joy it brings,” he emphasized.
As the number of young skaters grows, the need for expansion has become pressing.
“We need as much support as we can get to make the park bigger. The kids are growing in number, and the space needs to grow with them,” Shaimemanya said.
To the private sector and the public, he appealed: “We need your skills, your support, and your faith. Come see what we’re about. Skateboarding is a culture, a language, and a form of expression that deserves to thrive.”
He stated that the skate scene is slowly growing in Namibia, with more young people embracing the sport.
“It is beautiful to see, and it is a sign that skateboarding has a future here,” Shaimemanya concluded.
Speaking in a telephone interview with Sportwrap yesterday, Shaimemanya explained the motivation behind the project.
“We decided to build the park in Oniipa because that’s where the kids are. It’s for them. Skateboarding gives them hope, and we wanted to give them a space where they can grow and connect,” he said.
The skatepark, located near a floodplain where children often play soccer, has become a vibrant community hub. Shaimemanya estimates that over 300 visitors have enjoyed the park since its inception.
“The kids love it, and the adults go absolutely insane just watching them. It’s about building relationships and creating joy,” he added.
The project is mostly self-funded, with the team designing and building everything in-house. However, they have also received support from international organizations namely Rollbrett Mission and SkateAid (Germany), and Blue Tomato (Austria), as well as individual donors.
Despite this assistance, the team faces challenges in acquiring enough gear to meet the growing demand.
“Skateboarding is a wear-and-tear sport. Shoes, decks, and clothes get old fast. Safety gear like helmets and pads is also critical. We welcome used decks and equipment to keep the kids skating,” Shaimemanya said.
Importantly, the park is free for everyone. “Skateboarding is for free. You can’t buy the joy it brings,” he emphasized.
As the number of young skaters grows, the need for expansion has become pressing.
“We need as much support as we can get to make the park bigger. The kids are growing in number, and the space needs to grow with them,” Shaimemanya said.
To the private sector and the public, he appealed: “We need your skills, your support, and your faith. Come see what we’re about. Skateboarding is a culture, a language, and a form of expression that deserves to thrive.”
He stated that the skate scene is slowly growing in Namibia, with more young people embracing the sport.
“It is beautiful to see, and it is a sign that skateboarding has a future here,” Shaimemanya concluded.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article