Para-Surfer Nokuthula Yonke rides waves of hope toward national championships

Nokuthula Yonke, who was born with level 4 spina bifida and raised in foster care, is currently living out one of her greatest dreams: becoming a professional surfer.

“Surfing has always been my dream since I was a little girl,” Yonke shared. “I used to watch Barbie in a Mermaid Tale on repeat, and the movie Soul Surfer featuring Bethany Hamilton. Having one amputation at the time, surfing felt like just a dream until I met Roxy and her foundation. What drew me to para-surfing as my next challenge was, first, conquering my fear of drowning, and second, fulfilling that little girl’s dream of surfing at a pro level.”

The para-athlete is currently preparing for the Surfing National Championships in Durban on 18 April, where she told Eyewitness News she aims to ride 10 waves.

“Success to me looks like riding 10 waves in 20 minutes, pulling a few tricks on my surfboard, staying calm, conquering my fear of drowning, and, of course, networking and building future partnerships to see the next level we can take para-surfing to around the world. That is success to me, opening opportunities for the next generation.”

Yonke has a history of setting the bar high. She was crowned First Princess at Miss Wheelchair South Africa 2021 and has competed professionally in several sporting codes, earning provincial and national colours in wheelchair basketball, shot put, discus, and adaptive surfing.

Beyond her personal success, Yonke is a passionate advocate for systemic change. “I would like to see a huge change in all para-sports in general. I would like para-surfing to be among the best sport codes at the Paralympic Games,” she said. “If only para-sports could physically change the home circumstances of para-athletes. We, as people with disabilities, don't have the luxury of just walking into any job without qualifications or education to change our circumstances. Imagine if our talents paid our bills while financial education was provided to prepare us for the future.”

Yonke is frequently associated with the Roxy Davis Foundation, which promotes inclusive, adaptive surfing in Muizenberg, Cape Town. The foundation is currently raising funds to help her and other athletes travel to the national championships in Durban.

For Yonke, sport is also a vital tool for managing chronic pain. Diagnosed at age 15 with a right hip fracture and left knee dislocation, she has lived in constant pain for 12 years.

“Surfing in the ocean with these fractures has helped reduce the pain for at least a week before it spirals again,” she explained. “A bonus is that I see my Paralympic dreams reawakening.”

She noted that her sporting life has been made easier by institutions like the Pinelands Orthotic and Prosthetic Centre (OPC).

“My relationship with Pinelands OPC has definitely improved my life, as they build my prosthetics based on my active lifestyle,” she said. “As of last year, they are also accommodating my prosthetics to suit my hip fracture and knee dislocation, ensuring I still get to the gym without adding extra pain. I once thought about doing my internship there to complete my Management Assistant Diploma, as OPC is my other home among the health institutions I grew up in.”

Ultimately, Yonke hopes for greater South African support for para-athletes, believing that investing in current competitors will pave the way for a more inclusive future for the next generation.