South African Skaters and Taking Up Space
Thabiso, Mmabatho, Neo, Zukie ~ Photo by Karabo Mookie
We are honored to share with you these stunning images of the South African skate crew, Spectrum, by the talented photographer, Karabo Mooki.
The words and interviews below, are his introduction to this rad group of South African skaters and why this photo essay was so important to him.
We couldn’t agree more.
Jeanne - Photo by Karabo Mooki
In a city notoriously known for its ruthless fast, fast-paced nature, Johannesburg, the ‘city of gold’, is not for the faint-hearted. Through South Africa’s tumultuous history of oppression and segregation rose a triumphant legacy of pride, an inherent pride that is recognized in the collective consciousness that makes up the fabric of South Africa’s youth culture.
Skateboarding has provided a foundation of lifelong friends for the girls that make up the crew known as Spectrum.
Spectrum is a collective of African women armed with skateboards who are reclaiming the streets of in Johannesburg, South Africa. Redefining what it means to be a woman in skateboarding in South Africa.Celebrating life in a community that places an emphasis on honoring girl code and giving rise to awareness in skateboarding for Black women.
Where did it all begin for you, where did you all come together?
We first noticed one another over a few weeks spotting each other at local skate parks in Johannesburg. When we started skating it was very easy to spot the few girls who were out skating, the community and the presence of girls skating wasn’t what it was a few months ago.
After sometime we were invited to a ‘Girls Shred’ sleepover and found that we all got along incredibly well which led us to staying in touch and getting together for skate sessions outside of the Girl Skate organization.
We wanted to create a sisterhood of skateboarders. We wanted to create something for ourselves. To be recognized by potential sponsors, I mean if we could get the attention of shoe sponsors, because we cant afford shoes, skateboarding in South Africa is extremely expensive, we definitely hope to get more love and support from local skate shops that would be great, but mostly we set out to connect to a larger community through our skating and sharing these moments through our online presence.
So far it’s been mostly about an expression for fun.
Mmabatho photos by Karabo Mookie
What do you believe could be different in the industry?
There needs to be more equality, in terms of judging everyone equally. Lets take out the favoritism.
- Mmabatho
Mmabatho ~ Photo Karabo Mookie
On left - Neo and Zukie On right - Thabiso ~ Photos Karabo Mookie
What would you like to see change in the way people perceive you as a skateboarder?
One thing that annoys me is the reaction guys have to seeing us do tricks we’ve done countless times as if it's the first time we’ve done it, just because we are girls. We might be built different, but it doesn't mean I cant do what you can do, we both have feet and as long as we put time into this we should both be able to excel.
- Neo
Zuki ~ Photo Karabo Mookie
When did you have that moment where you felt like you didn't want to hide your love for skateboarding from your family?
I realized I didn't want to hide skateboarding from my family any longer or keep it this secretive activity when I had to walk to school, knowing that my board was at home I was stuck walking places, I felt like a chump walking places when I knew I could be skating places and seeing things.
- Zukie
Thabiso ~ Photos Karabo Mookie
What has the reception been like from your elders as Black women in skateboarding?
Not only do we have to prove ourselves to the skateboarding community of but also our elders. The community outside of skating, it’s quite a lot to prove to them that this is what I love to do, because all they see is me falling and panic, with this idea that ‘you’re a girl you’re not supposed to be falling’. They don’t see skating as a career, my grandparents for example do not see the point of it, they stress about me always being injured. They don’t realize that I am here because I want to be here, I don’t do this for the fame or anything else, I’m passionate about it and it makes me happy. With passion everything that is meant for you will eventually come toward you because you are destined for it.
- Thabiso
Zukie ~ Photo Karabo Mookie
Do you feel like girls are put in a position to prove themselves in skateboarding?
You’re put in that position at first, when I started skating it was very scary, I was intimidated by going to parks and seeing the overwhelming presence of men in parks that were excelling at skateboarding.
I had to force myself to confront my fears at the park and claim my right to skate in this male-dominated space.
- Zukie
Thabiso ~ Photo Karabo Mookie
What does skateboarding feel like to you?
Skating to me means freedom, an unexplainable feeling. Freedom is an expression of art to me, as an artist skateboarding is my wheelhouse. When I skate the I’m overwhelmed with this great feeling, when I bomb hills, I feel so free. Skating evokes a sense of happiness, the emotion of escaping from my reality, no matter how shitty I feel on a specific day, I can go out and skate and feel great again. It always reminds me of how much of a great time I have skateboarding and with the people that surround me. Every time I’m on the board my friends motivate me and make me feel more comfortable about being on my board and that’s something I appreciate greatly because it brings me pure happiness.
- Thabiso
Thabiso ~ Photos Karabo Mookie
Parting Words:
What do you believe could be different in the industry?
There needs to be more equality, in terms of judging everyone equally. Lets take out the favoritism.
- Mmabatho
We want to be appreciated, we putting in blood sweat and tear and not to be recognized for the work we are putting in is something that needs to be changed. The industry needs to stop with the bias.
- Neo
It’s not enough to just show up, the industry needs to recognize the girls who are contributing to the culture and working hard at it. We want equality and fairness.
- Zukie