Spotlight on Zimskate: Pioneering Skateboarding in Zimbabwe

12/1/24, 6:00 PM

Zimskate: Pioneering Skateboarding in Zimbabwe

Zimskate, the first registered skateboarding organization in Zimbabwe, has been a trailblazer since its founding in 2018, introducing skateboarding, roller sports, and most recently, fingerboarding to the nation. Based in Harare, this organization is led by Lindani Mataure, a dedicated community leader and father who envisions a thriving Zimbabwean skate industry. With its motto, “Keep On Grinding,” Zimskate embodies resilience and continuous growth, aiming to inspire a generation of skilled skaters and creators.

Founded by Lindani and three friends who shared a love for skateboarding, Zimskate started as a simple gathering and quickly transformed into a powerhouse of Zimbabwean skate culture. Their vision from that first meeting—a logo, a name, and a mission to share skateboarding with the nation—has come to life. Now, Zimskate is well-known across Zimbabwe, and with their successful formation of a National Sports Federation for skateboarding, they’re paving the way for skateboarding as a recognized sport and cultural movement.

Zimskate’s accomplishments include a comprehensive schools program, where young people in Harare Metropolitan Province learn skateboarding as an extracurricular activity. Hundreds of students have already participated, and Zimskate is determined to expand its reach to all ten provinces in Zimbabwe, despite limited resources.

In 2023, Zimskate also ventured into fingerboarding after seeing videos of the sport online. Lindani and his team brought DIY materials to schools, encouraging students to create miniature skate ramps and skateboards. This sparked an interest among students, and fingerboarding is now a regular part of Zimskate’s skate lessons. Thanks to support from figures like Levine Cunningham and the USA Fingerboarding League (USAFBL), Zimskate is organizing Zimbabwe’s first public fingerboarding exhibition in Harare on December 6th and 7th, 2024.

Zimskate’s journey would not have been possible without the original team—Kudzai Chisvo, Nyasha Choga, Simbarashe Mukwekwezeki, and Lindani Mataure—who believed in this vision from the start. Their collaborative approach with local and international allies has further propelled their progress. Special thanks go out to partners like Brian O’Neil, USAFBL, Teak Tuning, Spit Boards, and Create-A-Skate for their commitment to expanding the global fingerboarding industry and supporting Zimskate’s mission.

Lindani reflects on building his first fingerboard skatepark from cardboard as a cherished memory—a process that felt like freedom, with boundless creativity in crafting ramps and obstacles that push the imagination. This innovative mindset fuels Zimskate’s future, as they continue to inspire and lead the skateboarding community in Zimbabwe.

Connect with Zimskate
For more on Zimskate’s programs, upcoming events, and involvement in Zimbabwe’s skate and fingerboarding scenes, follow them on Instagram: @zimskate Email: zimskatepvt@mail.com