The Sapinda Rainbow Foundation has launched a national search to select eight young South Africans aged 18-23 years to participate in the 2015-16 edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The project builds on a similar challenge in 2013-14 and the selection process will be overseen by previous participants who have raced across some of the most challenging oceans on the planet and are now continuing to benefit from their experience.
“I never dreamed I would be able to sail, but the experience has changed my life and I am now working with the Sapinda Rainbow Foundation and want to inspire other young people”, explained Lebalang Molobele, a 22 year-old from Meadowlands, Soweto, Gauteng Province. Lebalang who had a self-confessed fear of water sailed from New York to London via Northern Ireland and the Netherlands in the final leg of the Clipper 2013-14 Race.
Lebalang and the other seven participants, accompanied by family members, attended today’s launch to talk about how the project is changing their lives and to encourage other young people to apply for the opportunity to be selected for the next Clipper Race.
“I feel it is so important to encourage other young people like me to achieve their full potential. There is a huge amount of talent in this country’s youth which could make a real difference,” added Lebalang.
The chairman of Sapinda Rainbow foundation, Dirk Van Daele, participated in the 2009-10 edition of the Clipper Race and was impressed by a similar development programme with young people from challenging backgrounds in Europe. He was inspired to bring the concept to South Africa and launched the Sapinda Rainbow Project in April 2013.
“The Clipper Race provides a unique experience which teaches these young people how to work in a team alongside an international crew from all walks of life; to discover they can face up to physically and mentally demanding challenges and overcome them. It helps to put life into perspective while motivating them with the confidence and ambition to succeed with a new sense of self worth.”
Nomination forms for candidates for the 2015-16 project are available online from the Sapinda Rainbow Foundation website at: www.sapindarainbow.com the closing date for applications is 15 December 2014. Shortlisted candidates will attend a selection weekend in Durban at the end of February next year. The final eight selected candidates and two reserves will attend training at the Clipper Race base in Portsmouth Harbour, UK in April and May next year. The race will depart the UK in August 2015 and return in July 2016. It is anticipated that the race will visit South Africa in October next year.
In the 2013 edition of the Clipper race the following Sapinda Rainbow Foundation candidates sailed on Investec Africa:
- Nokulunga Nkwanya – Leg 2
- Masibulele Liyaba – Leg 4
- Mbongiseni Oludlu – Leg 3
- Mency Madolo – Leg 7
- Nomcebo Sibaya – Leg 1
- Nqoba Mswazi – Leg 6
- Lebalang Molobele – Leg 8
- Blessing Lethukuthula – Leg 5
Alan Straton
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