HANKEY – A Hankey resident is preparing to skateboard 20,000km across South Africa in a bid to raise funds and awareness for homeless youth and addiction recovery while attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest skateboard journey.

Nathan Du Preez, who grew up in Gauteng but has lived in Hankey for the past few years, plans to begin the journey in the next three to four months once he has secured the equipment he needs.

Having skateboarded for 15 years, Du Preez said the challenge is about far more than setting a world record.

“Most people skate to the park. I’m skating for a reason,” said Du Preez.

“I’m doing this because kids are sleeping on streets tonight thinking nobody cares. They get told they are ‘too far gone’ to change. Homelessness is not just having no roof; it is having no hope.”

Du Preez said his goal is to cover 20,000km, almost double the current Guinness World Record distance of about 12,000km held by Rob Thompson.

He said the route would remain within South Africa, with the full itinerary to be shared as the journey progresses.

“The goal is to cover as much of the country as possible to raise awareness,” said Du Preez.

He said skateboarding had always been his refuge. He began skating at 13 years old and never stopped because it has been therapeutic and a safe space to escape daily struggles and serious self-doubt.

“To put it shortly, skateboarding is who I am. It’s all I’ve ever been good at,” said Du Preez.

His decision to embark on the campaign stems from his own struggles and the hardship he has witnessed around him.

“I battled with self-neglect, low self-esteem and depression, and even though I have never personally slept on the streets, I’ve been very close to being homeless,” said Du Preez.

He said seeing vulnerable children and people battling addiction every day motivated him to act.

“When I’m on the road, I see children walking barefoot and in dirty clothes and begging for small change,” said Du Preez.

“I’ve had dreams of helping these individuals on a great scale. I ignored the first five dreams, but by the sixth I knew God was trying to tell me something.”

Du Preez said the American skateboarder, Jason Vanporppal, who skated from Uganda to South Africa, inspired him to believe such a journey was possible.

He also credits the TikTok creator, The Good Boss, for inspiring his vision of helping homeless people and those battling addiction.

To prepare for the challenge, Du Preez has been completing long-distance skates on weekends while working.

During June alone, he covered 215km, skating between Hankey, Humansdorp, Jeffreys Bay and Gqeberha’s Summerstrand.

WATCH DU PREEZ IN ACTION HERE.

Du Preez said the 20,000km skate journey could take between one and two years, depending on conditions on the road.

While he has not yet formally registered his Guinness World Records attempt, he said he intends to do so before setting off.

Du Preez said funds raised through the campaign will be used to support organisations assisting homeless people and those recovering from addiction.

“I’m open to working with legitimate organisations. Right now, I’m starting this myself, but if a registered partner steps up, I’m willing to route funds to them,” said Du Preez.

He hopes to raise between R300,000 and R700,000 to provide food, clothing, shelter and rehabilitation support for vulnerable people.

Looking ahead, Du Preez said he also hopes to purchase a second-hand panel van so he can continue travelling the country to assist homeless people.

“I just want to live God’s purpose, and I have faith that it will work out. That’s why I decided not to give up on them,” said Du Preez.

People who would like to support the campaign can donate through Du Preez’s BackaBuddy fundraising page titled “nathan dupreez.”

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