Sea winds blow fair to change Moroko’s life
After time in the open ocean, sky is the limit for villager
David Sello Moroko had never been to sea until an opportunity to spend four months sailing arose.
Moroko, 26, from Ntwane in Dennilton, Limpopo, was part of a team of 19 aspiring leaders from different countries who participated in the Clipper Round-the-World yacht race from Cape Town to Australia.
The race from Cape Town to Fremantle, Sydney, Hobart in Tasmania and Airlie Beach in Australia took place between October and January.
Moroko, who dropped out of school in Grade 11 was selected through non-governmental organisation Ndlovu Care Group, which works with the youth in his community to participate in the yacht race.
Moroko was introduced to Dare to Lead organisation by Ndlovu NGO to participate in the race whose aim is to equip participants with life and leadership skills.
“I started by attending a month-long training course in the United Kingdom in September before I joined the race in October,” he said.
Moroko said being part of the race was an eye-opener.
“It was an opportunity of a lifetime. While sailing I learned that you had to love and respect people whether you know them or not. I learned to be a team player, lead a team, rely on others and have others depend on me.”
Moroko, who has also trained in kickboxing at Ndlovu Care Group, said his display of leadership, discipline and determination had earned him a place in the team.
Moroko said he had always dreamed of a better future.
“My mother worked far from home and I had to cook,
‘‘ Sometimes the waves were so bad that our boat would move on the side
clean, wash and take care of my brother. I couldn’t focus on school anymore,” he said.
The biggest challenge at sea, he said, was bad weather and big waves.
“Sometimes the waves were so bad that our boat would move on the side. We took turns to sleep for three hours. We had a gas stove and ate pasta and lasagne. I missed pap and meat while sailing.
“I would get seasick when the weather was bad and I comforted myself by singing. I had to trust and depend on others to care for me.”
Moroko said his experience motivated him and helped him see life in a positive light.
“My dream was to start a gym in my village but I knew it was impossible, but now everything has changed,” he said.
“We have nothing here, not even a park. The race taught me that anything is possible if you work hard enough.
“If a village boy like me can survive four months at sea with strangers, then I can do anything. I am now working on making my dream come true.”
Dare to Lead’s Ntombi Mahlaule said their integrated leadership and life skills development approach advocates capacity building among young people.
“It empowers young people by enabling them to own and control the processes that influence their day-to-day lives. It realises the actualisation of their own potential, often not granted within the community they derive from.”
Mahlaule said the approach ensures sustainability, removes dependency syndromes and empowers young people to respond to social, economic and environmental stresses, and meet their needs through external and internal assistance.
“This unique youth development initiative selects young South Africans with leadership potential to build a team working together and build leadership skills by participating in the world’s longest ocean challenge.”
NGO chief executive Dr Hugo Tempelman said the race helped participants.
“When you are at sea for four months, your real personality comes out. We would now like to help him get a qualification as a personal trainer or yoga coach. We want to provide him with a skill that would help him actualise his dream,” he said.
Moroko volunteers as a personal trainer at the NGO’s sports centre.