South African Programmes 2026 campaign

Meet SAYes Alumni Blue Nhlanhla Nkomonde, a talented young skateboarder from South Africa who took part in our Nike Partner Programme in 2025. Blue shares his journey with honesty, humility, and powerful insight into how sport can shape not only performance, but character, mindset, and life direction.

Blue explains that he grew up in a small community where opportunities for creativity and alternative sports were limited. He first discovered skateboarding through television as a child, and quickly became passionate about the sport. With limited resources and no access to equipment, he describes the difficult reality of growing up without support; and how, at the time, he made harmful choices just to be able to participate. Importantly, Blue speaks openly about how he learned from these experiences, took accountability, and committed to becoming a better person.

Over time, skateboarding became more than a hobby, it became a source of discipline, resilience, and self-belief. Blue shares how the sport taught him respect, how to listen, and how to stay focused. He also emphasizes that mentorship and guidance helped him understand that no one succeeds alone, that behind every young person striving for success, there must be a team of support.

Today, Blue is not only focused on his own goals, he is also actively giving back. He works with young people and supports children in his community through encouragement, coaching, and helping them stay motivated in school and life. He speaks passionately about helping young people build confidence, avoid harmful habits, and resist the pressures of comparison and negativity often fueled by social media.

One of the most exciting updates shared in this interview is that Blue has been awarded a four-year scholarship to train in the United States, supporting his development in competitive skateboarding. He hopes to represent South Africa in the Olympics as a skateboarder, a dream made possible through commitment, mentorship, and the right opportunities at the right time.

Blue’s story reflects what SAYes Mentoring is all about: young people building independence, learning life skills, developing emotional resilience, and becoming leaders in their communities. Your support helps create the structure, guidance, and belief that young people like Blue need to keep moving forward in sport and in life. 

Links:

• Watch Blue's Interview Here