Howzit, my name is Brenen Nortje. I am surfer from the awesome city of Durban in the majestic province of KwaZulu-Natal. Besides a surfer, I am a copywriter and love stories of hope, triumph and above all the powerful capabilities of the spirit of surfing.
As a youngster I surfed Happy Wanderers on the South Coast with the same two guys (Simon & Gary) for years and years. On exploring a little further South on the KwaZulu-Natal coast we discovered places like Mfazi's, Umzumbe and Banana beach. These are amazing, pristine and true South Coast breaks ... magically wild and regularly rewarding.
It was here, for the first time that the three of us surfed with young black surfers, who lived in the surrounding hills and immediate communities. Previously I had never seen black kids or adults venture past the shore break, let alone surfing in some of the most demanding conditions in SA! They were always so friendly and welcoming, and I initiated a number of conversations with them, in order to learn more and more of the rich cultural fabric that made up their story. There were so many adversities; culturally, financially and physically that they had to overcome, I found their story truelly remarkable. After further investigation I finally met a pioneering black surfer from Umzumbe Sandile 'Cyril' Mqadi. After having a long chat with Sandile on the Addington beachfront, I decided that this is a story that cannot remain silent for any longer and embarked on a mission to create a surf film about the Zulu Surfriders of the South Coast!
I wanted to use very special people to help capture and document this amazingly unique slice of South African culture. Firstly I needed highly skilled artists, fluent in the art of storytelling, with a passion for the community and who understood the true nature and spirit of surfing and what it is capable of achieving. Enter Carlos and Andre, two soulful spirits that I had worked with on previous projects, and who were both surfers themselves. We sat around my laptop and I explained my vision for Zulu Surfrider. Both loved the concept, storyboard, visual and audio reference! We were all super-pumped to craft a film that documented the very exciting birth of the future of South African surfing.
Armed with hired equipment, 2 bakkies, a quiver of old boards and Cyril Mqadi; Andre, Carlos and I set course for the enchanting town of Umzumbe to make the magic that is now Zulu Surfrider!
Blending in, hanging out.
Loaded and ready to head off...
