The dream of wearing the green South African surfing blazer continues to drive 15-year-old
prodigy, Mahle Ntsebeza, whose third-place finish at an international surfing friendly in
Mozambique has given her fresh motivation to pursue her ambitions.
The grade 9 Merrifield College pupil represented the Surfing South Africa (SSA)
Invitational team at the Indian Oceans Cup, at Tofo Beach from September 24 to 27, where she competed against surfers from other Indian Ocean nations.
“It feels absolutely incredible to have represented my country at the Indian Oceans Cup and finishing third was definitely a very proud moment for me,” Ntsebeza said.
The opportunity to compete internationally came as a surprise to the young surfer, who has spent much of her life developing her skills in the ocean.
“When I got the invite to represent South Africa at the Indian Oceans Cup I was lost for
words ,” she said..
“I feel honoured to have represented the South African team and to have had the opportunity to compete against some of the best surfers from other countries.”
She said the experience also taught her the importance of remaining focused, to trust her
abilities and to perform under pressure.
Merrifield College is high in its praise for her achievement, particularly given her age and
the level of competition she has reached.
The school’s executive head, Dr Guy Hartley, said they were extremely proud of Ntsebeza’s
surfing accomplishments, describing her selection for the SSA Invitational team as a reflection of both her surfing ability and maturity.
Behind the achievement is a demanding training routine that requires commitment both in
and out of the water.
Ntsebeza attends gym sessions to build strength and fitness, surfs in the afternoons after school regardless of the prevailing weather conditions, and practises her pop-ups and
turns on land before going to bed.
Balancing these commitments with her academic responsibilities and
other extracurricular activities, means making a lot of sacrifices.
“I have to manage surfing with school and other extra curriculums, so time
management is very important,” Ntsebeza said.
“Staying disciplined is very important therefore sacrifices have to be made such as
sometimes deciding not to hang out with friends,” she said.
She credits her parents with teaching her the importance of discipline and consistency.
Hartley described Ntsebeza as an outgoing, positive and well-liked pupil.
Who always strived to give of her best.
Whether in the classroom, the water polo pool or the ocean, she approached
challenges with determination and a willingness to improve, he said.
Hartley said this attitude rubbed off onto her fellow pupils in a positive way.
Rather than seeing mistakes as failures, she used these as opportunities to learn and move forward.
Ntsebeza’s connection with the ocean began when she was just five years old.
Having grown up loving the ocean, she gravitated towards surfing as her chosen sport and
entered her first competition at the age of six, at Nahoon Beach.
Local surfer, Zoey Steyn, also inspired her as she developed her abilities and began
competing more seriously.
Ntsebeza said she never imagined representing her country so early in her career
and, being invited to represent SA marked a significant milestone in her surfing journey.
Earlier this year, she came close to realising that dream after being selected as a non travelling reserve in the SA U18 team.
Ntsebeza hopes to continue improving her surfing, attract sponsors and use her
experiences to inspire other young surfers, particularly girls, to believe in their potential.
“I know there is still a lot to learn, but I am excited to see how far hard work and
dedication can take me,” she said
international surfing achievement after earning third place at
the Indian Oceans Cup in Mozambique, where she represented
the Surfing South Africa Invitational team. Pictures: SUPPLIED
