Captain | 10
TEAM UBUNTU
OUR DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH
UBUNTU IS BUILDING OURSELVES BY BUILDING OTHERS.
The team’s nickname is Ubuntu. This is an African concept that translates as: “I am only because of who we all are”. The concept is about the interconnectedness of all beings. It is about being humane and always ensuring human dignity is at the core of your actions and thoughts.
If Nelson Mandela hoisting the rugby world cup in 1995 was an act of reconciliation and ubuntu, the sight of a racially transformed 2019 Springbok rugby team again winning the world cup, was another huge moment of hope. This was a team of players that the nation could recognize as representing them. They brought hope to a still divided nation that our strength is in diverse people helping each other to achieve a common goal.
As the rugby coach told the players: “It is not about you. Be fearless, you are not fighting for yourselves, you are fighting to give a nation hope.”
15 years ago, South Africa had an improbable America’s cup entry in Valencia with team Shosholoza. They could overcome a lack of experience and resources with a lot of passion to punch way above their weight. Black sailors filled meaningful roles within the team and contributed greatly to the success.
South Africans want to see that our sport teams are being represented at all races, they must be united and be willing to make “big hits” for the team. South Africa’s team for the SSL Nations Cup will embrace this challenge.
“Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. ” Nelson Mandela.
2007
15 years ago, South Africa had an improbable America's cup entry in Valencia with team Shosholoza. They could overcome a lack of experience and resources with a lot of passion to punch way above their weight. Black sailors filled meaningful roles within the team and contributed greatly to the success.
Statistics
THE COUNTRY
- 73 sailing clubs
- 6'400 sailors
- 2'800 km long of sea coast
- 23 Sailing schools
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Competed in Olympic games from 1992 to 2016
- Competed in Valencia America's cup 2007
- Currently 2 South African flagged boats in TP52 super series
The captain
IAN AINSLIE
He was born on July 27, 1965, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and started sailing at the age of 6. Ian Ainslie is a three-time Olympian in the Finn Class. He started the Izivunguvungu school for transforming sailing in South Africa and was a head coach of the Netherland Olympic sailing team in London 2012 and Rio 2016
THE LEADERS
Asenathi Jim will be the helmsman
His life conditions were typical of many South Africans, but his life story is not. Growing up in poverty in an informal settlement, he was introduced to sailing at the Izivunguvungu school of sailing. His determination and skills saw him competing in 2 Olympic games in the 470 class. He is considered one of SA’s top sailors across a range of dinghy and keelboat classes
Paul Wilcox – The Tactician
Paul is from Johannesburg and is the South African who is doing the most high-level professional sailing. He has taken part in the Volvo ocean race and currently spends most of his time trimming the mainsail on a TP52 in the super series, amongst other projects.
Joweal Klaase – Bowman
Joweal is the bowman who has won the most Lipton cup regattas, the most prestigious regatta in South Africa. He is employed in a sail design office. He is also an alumnus of Izivunguvungu.
Gareth Blanckenberg – Mainsheet trimmer
Gareth previously won the youth worlds and competed in 2 Olympic games in the laser class. He currently competes in TP52 and Cape31 classes.
