Young South Africans shortlisted for unique global adventure

A competition launched by the Sapinda Rainbow project to find eight young South Africans to develop their leadership skills in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the longest ocean race around the planet, has selected a shortlist of 30 candidates to participate in a challenging selection process in Durban 21-23 June 2013.

The Sapinda Rainbow project is being endorsed by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund which promoted the opportunity throughout its network and encouraged nominations from the communities it serves of young people aged 18-23. The successful candidates will also raise awareness of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust.

The project is funded by the Sapinda group to identify young South Africans from across the country who could be future community leaders and give them a unique personal development opportunity through participation in a life-changing global adventure and at the same time encourage them to become a catalyst and role model within their own respective communities.

The ninth edition of the Clipper Race starts and finishes in London, departing on 1 September and stops in Cape Town in late October.

Dirk van Daele, Sapinda Executive Committee member and CEO of Anoa Capital, participated in the 2009-10 edition of the Clipper Race and experienced first-hand how the event was used to develop young people from other countries. He said: “The Clipper Race is a unique event which changes lives. It is very exciting to have had such a strong response and to have chosen the initial shortlist. I’m looking forward to meeting all the candidates at the selection weekend in Durban.”

The Clipper Race has a proven track record of personal development, especially with young people from challenging backgrounds. Clipper Race Crew Recruitment Manager, David Cusworth, said: “We have had an excellent response with a very high quality of applicants from across the country. We have devised a stimulating and, hopefully, enjoyable three-day programme with Sail Africa in Durban to put these young people through their paces.”

The selection weekend will see all thirty shortlisted candidates put through their paces in a series of tasks which will include sailing familiarisation and aptitude; media, communications and presentation skills; writing and blogging exercises, and one-to-one interviews.

The final eight candidates will be announced in Cape Town towards the end of July before they depart for the UK to undertake their training and attend the start of the race in London.

Candidate name  Town  Community sponsor 

Blessing Lethukuthula Thenjekwayo
Springs,Gauteng

Katlego Jubilant Kope
Springs, Gauteng 

Sihile
Johannesburg, Gauteng 
Diepsloot Youth Projects 

Mbongiseni Shepherd Oludlu
Johannesburg, Gauteng 
Diepsloot Youth Projects 

Lebalang 
Soweto, Gauteng 
Diepsloot Youth Projects 

Kgolofelo Swenky Sekulane 
Bushbukridge, Mpumalanga 
Ebenezer Welfare Supporting Organisation 

Abedhico Ali 
Orkney, North West 
Guidance Education Youth Project 

Masibulele Liyaba 
Orkney, North West 
Guidance Education Youth Project 

Innocent Lekitlame 
Orkney, North West 
Guidance Education Youth Project 

Shai Tshedo 
Tzaneen, Limpopo 
Huresic 

Chidi Koketso Eunice 
Polokwane, Limpopo 
Panang Diata Self Help Project 

Tshikovhi Lazaros 
Thohoyandou, Limpopo 
Thohoyandu Victim Empowerment Programme 

Claudia Emanuel 
Cape Town, Western Cape 
Cape Town School of Photography

Hoyne Monong 
Cape Town, Western Cape 
NY21 Street Committee 

Thabiso Jim 
Simonstown, Eastern Cape 
Izivunguvungu Sailing School 

Mfundo Nhlkanipho Meanyana 
Durban, Kwazulu 
Natal Gailforce Yachting Service 

Dwalelihie Sillingile Mathenjwa 
Hilihiliwe, Kwazulu Natal 
Rec Star 4 Life 

Nkwanya Nokulunga Buhlebenkosi 
Hluhluwe, Kwazulu Natal 
Rec Star 4 Life 

Sanele Jane Hlatshwayo 
Mtubatuba, Kwazulu Natal 
Rec Star 4 Life 

Mency Hienchwe Madolo 
Mtubatuba, Kwazulu Natal 
Rec Star 4 Life

Silindile Phumulile Maphumulo 
Mtubatuba, Kwazulu Natal 
Rec Star 4 Life 

Siyaya Nomcebo 
Mtubatuba, Kwazulu Natal 
Rec Star 4 Life 

Limookuhle Khulekaminilinde Nxumalo 
Mtubatuba, Kwazulu Natal 
Rec Star 4 Life 

Andile M. Ndwandwe 
Mtubatuba, Kwazulu Natal 
Rec Star 4 Life 

Ziphozethy Bukhogini 
Mtubatuba, Kwazulu Natal 
Rec Star 4 Life 

Sibiya Ntombifuthi Nomcebo 
Mtubatuba, Kwazulu Natal 
Rec Star 4 Life 

Nkululeko Siyabonga 
Durban, Kwazulu Natal 
Sail Africa 

Siyanda Vato 
Durban, Kwazulu Natal 
Sail Africa 

Refeloa 
Durban, Kwazulu Natal 
Sail Africa 

Njabulo Mthethwa 
Umhlanga Rocks, Kwazulu Natal 
University of KZN