PAARL – Cheers, applause and the sound of skateboard wheels filled the streets of Paarl on Sunday (24 May) as American skateboarder Jason Vanporppal arrived in town after skating thousands of kilometers across Africa in support of a mission to build a skatepark in Uganda.

Vanporppal, who began the journey in Uganda earlier this year, received a warm welcome from local skateboarders, residents and supporters who gathered to celebrate his arrival in Paarl.

The 26-year-old is currently travelling across the continent, with Cape Town as his last stop, as part of a fundraising campaign aimed at raising $45 000 (about R800 000) to build a permanent skatepark in Uganda.

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Carlisle Martin, a local from Paarl, came prepared to give Vanporppal a warm welcome.

“I’m here today to give Jason a nice warm welcome. It’s a great effort and thing that he does not only for the children in Uganda, but for many other children. He is a great inspiration to many children. I like the idea of ​​what he is doing. I’ve been following him on social media all the time since he [passed] through Drie Susters and De Aar.”

Martin jokes: “I don’t have a skateboard, but I think I should get one.”

The online GoFundMe campaign was launched earlier this year in support of the project, which forms part of the work of the Kampala Skateboard Initiative (KSI), a community-driven organisation founded in 2022.

The current Africa tour stretches almost 6 000 km from Uganda to South Africa, with every kilometer skated helping to raise awareness and funds for the Uganda skatepark project. All donations will go directly towards construction materials, local labor and skateboarding equipment for the community. On Sunday evening around $34 700 (about R585 364) had already been raised.

According to the campaign, the organisation uses skateboarding as a tool to empower young people through creativity, mentorship and community engagement. Over the past few years, KSI has introduced skateboarding to communities where the sport previously had little presence, while also creating opportunities for cultural exchange and youth development.

The organisation says many young skaters in Uganda currently practise on cracked concrete surfaces and rough streets due to the lack of proper facilities and equipment. The planned skatepark aims to provide a safe and permanent space where children and young people can skate, connect and develop their skills. KSI also places a strong focus on inclusivity, welcoming boys and girls from all backgrounds and skill levels into the skating community.

Vanporppal is no stranger to long-distance skateboarding challenges linked to charitable causes. Before embarking on the Africa tour, he skateboarded across the United States from Venice Beach to Times Square in 76 days and across Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa in 50 days.

Those journeys helped raise more than $30 000, which was used to donate over 500 skateboards to children around the world who did not have access to equipment.

A young local skater Yusr Abrahams and his mother Nabielah Abrahams were among the big crowd.

“I’m excited to meet him because his journey was very long and he pushed through. He’s an inspiration. I also skateboard, although not every day.” Moments after speaking to NovaNews Yusr looked over the masses of people and said out loud: “Look at all these people showing up. There has got to be something that connects everyone of us.”

Shortly after his arrival Vanporppal spoke directly to the crowd. He says Sunday was day 105 of his journey, with the aim of completing it on Monday (25 May).

“Thank you everyone for coming out. Everyone who is out here and has been waiting for hours. I really do appreciate it, honestly. It’s been really overwhelming, but I love it. You’ve been giving me all the love and support. I couldn’t do it without you guys. I’m really happy I can share this with the world and show people what South Africa really is.”

Contributing to the warm welcome was Nederburg Primary’s Rieldans group and Hillcrest band who serenaded Vanporppal and the crowd.