What started as a visit to an island off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa unfolded into a heartwarming mission by South Africans to turn old surfboard donations into life-changing joy for young surfers who just wanted a fair chance to ride the waves.
Cape Town, South Africa (06 July 2026) – What do you do when you have too much of a good thing? Well, you share or pay it forward – something South Africans do best!
While working at the Local Surf Lounge Academy, a non-profit surf-centred safe space serving the youth surrounding Muizenberg in Cape Town, Jamie Nye noticed that they were receiving an abundance of donations of pre-owned surfboards. Too many for the organisation’s members to use and taking up a lot of space.
It was obvious – these needed to find homes and owners where they could really make a difference.
One particular and very special place came to mind.
In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, there is a tiny dot of land, unknown to most. São Tomé and Príncipe is a two-island nation off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa, where there exists a lively surfing culture.
“At every river mouth there is a crew of children riding wooden planks plus the odd leftover surfboard from a distant traveller,” Jamie explains.
“Some of them are extremely good at surfing, all the more amazing by total lack of equipment on the island.”
It was that community, which Jamie and a friend, Pedro Silver, had visited about a year ago, that stayed with him – and one that would truly benefit from the surfboards collecting dust at the Surf Lounge Academy.
“A crowdfund was set up, boards were repaired, fins and leashes sourced, boards all packed into bundles, shipped in a container with the help of a generous sponsor, and they landed on the island,” Jamie shared, describing the exciting community-driven initiative.
Saturday Good News Wrap Up: A Million Acts of Kindness and So Much to Celebrate!
Cape Town Kayakers Rescue Starving African Penguin Far Out to SeaWith support from the Small Things Foundation, Local Surf Lounge Academy and Helpmore SA, Jamie and Pedro returned to the island to complete the mission they had started, delivering the 67 boards to some very eager surfers at various parts of the island.
The smiles on these young people’s faces said it all.
Someone who had merely been a tourist in their home recognised the one thing that brought them joy and competitive fun and chose to rally South Africans for a movement that served no other purpose than to ensure they could surf and catch the waves properly.
That is just how far the selfless spirit of Ubuntu goes. It recognises the needs of others, helps, shares, makes a difference, and in this case, blesses another African country!
Sources: Jamie Nye
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 
