Zandisile Luphahla

The province will this weekend host two highly popular American skateboarders at the Maloof Skateboarding for Hope Money Cup.

Lizard King and Brian Herman will make their highly anticipated appearance at Postmasburg and Khathu where they will entertain the crowds with their famous skateboarding tricks during skateboarding clinics and demonstrations.

This will be one of the events the province will showcase leading up to the Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore 2012 Maloof Money Cup skateboarding world championships will be hosted in Kimberley from September 28 to 30.

The provincial government through its Skateboarding for Hope community outreach initiative is travelling throughout its communities to spread a message of skateboarding and hope.

According to Gert Schoeman, the manager of communications and branding of Kumba Iron Ore, it was essential to bring the Skateboarding for Hope tour to the towns where their biggest mines were located.

“As a company, we align all our social and community development initiatives to the growth and development of the areas that we operate in.

“Kathu and Postmasburg are practically the homes of Kumba and we wanted to give the youth the opportunity to be part of this skateboarding extravaganza.”

The action in Kathu will start this afternoon at the Kathu Village Mall and continue at the Postmasburg Town Hall tomorrow morning.

The events will feature skateboarding demonstrations and clinics during which top local and international skaters will teach novice skateboarders the basic skills.

Maloof CEO Tim McFerran said 25 skateboards would be available to these novice skaters.

“This will also be an opportunity to identify talented skaters whose potential can be improved with further development and training,” he said.

The official opening event with a mini concert on Friday featuring DJ Bravo, Da Les and Jack Parow will be free. On Saturday, September 29, Lil Jon will perform at the Skatepark. The same evening the international acclaimed Ciara will be performing at the Monstermob Raceway.

zandisilel@thenewage.co.za