Noluthando Makalima, South Africa’s first Black female adaptive surfer, shared her story on March 26, 2026. She challenges misconceptions that link disability to inability. Her achievements affect people with disabilities and their communities by shifting views in adaptive sports. This report from ewn.co.za covers confirmed facts, context, implications, and near-term developments.
Makalima won gold at the 2019 Adaptive SA Championship. That victory qualified her for the World Adaptive Championships. She took silver there in 2020 in California. She became the first Black female adaptive surfer to represent South Africa internationally.
Makalima has cerebral palsy. She competes in the Prone 2 category. This requires help to push into waves and catch at the shore. She started surfing in 2014 through the Siyaphakama Development Association in Khayelitsha.
“Being disabled doesn’t mean you can’t do something, and in our community, there are misconceptions about associating disability with not being able to do anything. You may see my disability as a challenge, but I see it as a strength,” said Makalima. (ewn.co.za)
Makalima was born and raised in Khayelitsha. Her support team helps her enter and exit the water. They provide balance during competitions.
She relies on her surf coach and team. Makalima expressed pride in them.
“I’m gonna be very honest on this one: at first I didn’t feel anything, but looking back now it did change the aspect of people’s minds—or let me say the way people view a person who is disabled in our community. Because now I have a new name of ‘Noluthando the surfer,’ not ‘Noluthando the disabled one,’ so it really changed a lot,” she said. (ewn.co.za)
Photos by Neo Pillay show her with the team. (ewn.co.za)
Makalima’s success questions community ideas that disability means inability. She views her condition as a strength. This personal perspective has led to a shift in how some see her—from “disabled” to “surfer.” Her words highlight this change in South Africa, based on her experience. (ewn.co.za)
Makalima finished ninth at the 2025 ISA World Para Surf Championship. She is a multi-national champion. She belongs to the Roxy Davis Foundation.
She aims to defend her national title at the 2026 South African Para Surfing Nationals in Durban this April. The event selects athletes for the November World Para Surfing Championships. She faces funding challenges to attend. Her team seeks support. Verified details on funding remain limited. (ewn.co.za)
Makalima holds gold from the 2019 Adaptive SA Championship and silver from the 2020 Worlds. She promotes the idea that disability is not a barrier. Her story, reported neutrally from ewn.co.za, shows progress in adaptive surfing.
Follow updates on adaptive sports in South Africa via sources like ewn.co.za for more stories like Noluthando Makalima’s.
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