Riding the Urban Wave: Meet the Skateboarder Redefining 24Kasi Culture
A new wave of self-expression is taking over in the vibrant Kasi streets of Mzansi, where every corner tells a story and creativity knows no bounds. Welcome to the latest 24Kasi instalment, where dreams inspire the youth, and urban legends become real-life symbols of freedom and individuality in Kasi culture.
Meet Thato Mako, known on Instagram as ‘Thato the Kid’. He is a skater from Alexander Township and started skating in 2012. He was inspired to do so after watching some guys around the hood tear that skateboard up. His go-to skate shoe is Converse, a comfortable sneaker not commonly used to skate. Thato is inspired by Boo Johnson, an international skateboarder who owns his own skate company called ‘Just Have Fun’. He draws inspiration from this skate company and believes that the owner started the skating company to challenge himself and have fun more than anything else.
Growing up, ‘Thato the Kid’ always dreamed of going pro; now, as a young adult, with the dream still intact but the focus different, he is doing skateboarding on his terms! He is passionate about the youngsters in the community who have grown to love skateboarding as much as he has. With the closing down of the skatepark close to the Kasi, the streets have now become their new grind rail, their go-to skatepark, and their daredevil pump track!
Dressed in brands like adidas, London Republic, and Converse, Thato’s look is as dynamic as his skateboarding skills, with him mentioning the fact that skateboarding in the kasi is not all that common but gives the youth hope and something better to do with their lives and time, saying “If you have something to do, that can be your way out because you are your own director and storyteller of your life”. Ideally, he wants to make a skater video, allowing the youth to explore the various other sports that can lead to a better life.
Stay tuned for more stories from the 24 Kasi Campaign, and remember to follow Thato’s journey as he continues to ride the urban wave, proving that the township is a powerhouse of talent, style, and endless possibilities. And that is ‘Thato the Kids’ 24Kasi story. What’s yours?