International sailor, Nqoba Mswazi, launched MH Performance Sailing and won big at MSC Week. A bold new initiative aimed at developing young South African talent in the sport.
Durban, South Africa (16 July 2025) – It was an exciting scene on day five of MSC Week in Durban as two boats, Element and Velocity, raced towards the top marker. Led by Nicolene Henkeman and Anna Correa, the teams were proudly representing the newly launched MH Performance Sailing, an idea brought to life by local sailor Nqoba Mswazi.
Mswazi, returning to his hometown of Durban for his ninth MSC Week, had something more meaningful in mind: to give young sailors a chance. Just before the start of the event, he gathered a few close supporters at the Royal Natal Yacht Club to launch MH Performance Sailing.
His sailing team now includes two boats named Velocity and Element. Both boats made their debut under the MH Performance Sailing banner at this year’s event.
Mswazi, who grew up in uMgababa, got his start through the Sail Africa Foundation. Since then, he has sailed in major international races and worked overseas as a first mate on a luxury yacht. Even with his global experience, his heart remains firmly anchored at home in Durban.
Eighteen years after he first began sailing, Mswazi is giving back to the sport and community that helped shape him.
“The sport of sailing has given me so much. It has opened so many doors I never dreamed possible. I am hoping that through MH Performance Sailing, I will be able to give back and open some doors for a few others that share my love for this amazing sport!”
Reflecting on the week, he said, “MSC Week was amazing even though there was a lot of pressure on us but I’m proud of the guys I selected, and we proved that anything is possible if you believe in it.”
The final day of racing brought a whole new challenge.
“We were sitting on top of the leaderboard, but equal on points with our toughest competitor, Rainhard Lenz on Grayhard. We had to go out there and sail the race of our lives to win. The conditions were extremely challenging.”
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As Mswazi heads back overseas, he is confident in his team’s future.
“I am leaving it in good hands with my right-hand lady, Nicolene Henkeman who will ensure the teams continue racing through the upcoming summer season.”
For now, MH Performance Sailing celebrates its first big win, the 2025 L26 National Champions.
Sources: Supplied
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