“Mabhuts always has the biggest smile on his face no matter the weather,” champion lifesaver Maddison Malherbe says.
Buffalo City longboard team surfer, Sphamandla "Mabhuti" Baliso, is a pathfinder and a pioneer. I do not know anyone else like him.
He grew up in rural Glen Eden and watched the likes of Greg, Donny and Justin Emslie surfing.
“I want to do this thing,” he told Greg.
So Greg gave him a surfboard, with the promise that when he had some down time from the pro surf tour he would help him.
An eager Baliso got into the water and hacked away on his own, and in time, Greg made good on his promise.
Sinking his teeth into the surfing lifestyle, Baliso has never let go.
Today, he is on staff at Jonginenge Eco-Adventure assisting with corporate team building, surfing, school outings and individual surfing coaching.
Recognised by Buffalo City shortboard surfing, he has also coached and managed the Buffalo City grom games team on Gqeberha away outings.
Fellow longboard team member Nathan Staude had many good things to say about his friend “Mabz”, as he is affectionately known by most is part of the furniture when it comes to Nahoon Surf culture, local surf coaching and development of the sport.
“I admire Mabz, always humble, soft-spoken and ready for the next surf mission. What a lekker oke!” Staude said.
He is someone you can look up to in and out of the water. Even through the toughest of times he keeps his faith in God and spreads the stoke of surfing.
He has touched the lives of many as a surf coach and mentor. He steps up for his family in hard times and stays committed to those around him.
As far as personal brand and mentors go, Baliso might have trouble looking up ahead and seeing who he might like to follow.
There are very few top black surfers in South Africa.
He is the mentor for others to follow such as we have not seen before today.
Perhaps he should look further afield and take to heart Buttons Kaluhiokalani from Hawaii, genius surfer of the late 70s and early 80s.
This writer would suggest, follow the Kaluhiokalani level of talent but just leave the substance abuse part out.
Buffalo City Longboard Surfing chair Allen Harris said Baliso was a true inspiration.
“Rising above every challenge to become an incredible longboard surfer and all-round waterman, he continues to impress with his unwavering dedication and deep love for the ocean.
“His passion and perseverance are truly admirable.
“More than chasing his own dreams, he’s lighting the path for others who look up to him,” Harris said.
Another phenomenal waterman of colour Baliso might like to think of is Duke Kahanamoku from Hawaii.
Olympic gold medal swimmer of 1912, 1920 and 1922, The Duke was well loved the world over.
His first love was surfing and his famous quote, “Out of the water, I am nothing,” belied the fact that out of the water he was just as fabulous.
Whenever The Duke was away on swim meets, be it Australia or the US mainland, he would take his surfboard with him and teach people to surf.
Surfer Magazine year 2000 collectors edition voted The Duke as the single most influential surfer of the century, ahead of Kelly Slater and among 24 other names that have shaped the history of surfing.
SA’s Shaun Thompson is also on that list.
The Duke exported surfing to the world. We surf because he surfed.
What an extraordinary gift this beautiful Hawaiian man shared with the world. The aloha spirit and the thrill of surfing.
Considering the multitude of young groms Baliso has pushed into waves on Nahoon Beach it is a fair call to consider him as a gift to our local surfing community.
Good work my brother.
Keep it up. We all wish you a spectacular outing at the current Jeffreys Bay SA Longboard championships. Aloha and hamba kakuhle.
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