Sewisa ‘Lawrence’ Magane, a 23-year-old from Groblersdal, Limpopo had never been on board a boat before and is now preparing to set out from Cape Town to race across one of the world’s most challenging oceans in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
He is one of eight young South Africans aged 18 to 23 who have been chosen to take part in the world’s longest ocean race as part of the Sapinda Rainbow Foundation relay team.
Lawrence will join the South Africa sponsored team IchorCoal, one of twelve identical 70 foot ocean racing yachts crewed by amateur sailors under the command of professional skippers.
The Clipper Race is the longest ocean endurance challenge around the planet at 40,000 nautical miles, It set off from London, UK, two months ago and will return there at the end of July next year.
“Arriving into Cape Town and seeing all the boats lined up together for the first time since London was fantastic but it shows that I have to be ready and I am ready to go now,” stated Lawrence.
He is starting Race 3 from South Africa to Western Australia, named by host port Albany as The Wardan Whip. The fleet leaves Quay 6 at the V&A Waterfront at 12.00 mid-day local time tomorrow, Saturday 31 October. The race will see Lawrence and all the other competitors cross 4,845 nautical miles, taking in the notorious Southern Ocean, home of the Roaring Forties.
Whilst the fleet has been in Cape Town, the Mother City, all the Sapinda Rainbow ambassadors joined Lawrence, including participants in the 2013-14 edition.
“It’s my first time in Cape Town and I have enjoyed every moment of it with all the other ambassadors and its great meeting new people,” commented Lawrence. “I am so excited the other ambassadors are here because they have given me confidence and made me feel like I can do it, nothing is going to stop me.
“I have been waiting for this for a long time so I am excited. I am looking forward to achieving something remarkable by completing the race and learning new skills.”
Lawrence lost his parents as a young age and he is from a community were young people have low expectations and are not motivated; many end up in petty crime and substance abuse. It was difficult to be a child and a parent at the same time. He has been supported by Ndlovu care Group, which is the charity of the Sapinda Rainbow Foundation for 2015-16.
Lawrence says that being selected for the Clipper Race has changed his life and he can tell the story about his sailing experience: “My friends and family wish they could be here but they are so happy for me and my experience, they tell me it’s a big opportunity for me and that I should go for it and get the best from it.
“My ambition is to be a doctor. When I get back from the race my goal is to study hard to reach my dream. I feel strongly about being a doctor, I am always thinking about it and if I can focus on my studies, and be serious about what I need to be, I can make it, nothing is impossible. I like to help people who are sick.”
Sapinda Rainbow Project Ambassadors:
| Name | Age | Town | Leg |
| Makhanya Khulekani Ben | 22 | Mtubatuba, Kwazulu-Natal | Leg 5 – Whitsundays, QLD, Australia to Qingdao, China via South East Asia – 7,400 miles/ 11,900 km around 53 days |
| Rveida Lungelo Mthethwa | 19 | Mtubatuba, Kwazulu-Natal | Leg 2 – Rio, Brazil to Cape Town, SA – 3,390 miles/ 5,455 km around 18 days |
| Mweni Zanele | 18 | Mtubatuba, Kwazulu-Natal | Leg 1- UK to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 5,630 miles/ 9,060 km around 33 days |
| Sphamandla Ngcobo | 23 | Durban, Kwazulu-Natal | Leg 8 – East Coast America, Derry-Londonderry, NI, UK – 3,750 miles/ 6,050 km around 22 days |
| Masombuka Lerato Bridgette | 19 | Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng | Leg 7 – West Coast to East Coast USA, via Panama Canal – 5,100 miles/ 8,200 km around 38 days |
| Magane Sewisa Lawrence | 22 | Groblersdal, Limpopo | Leg 3 – Cape Town, SA to Albany, WA, Australia – 4,700 miles/ 7,560 km around 23 days |
| Boitumelo Charlotte Maila | 21 | Dennilton, Limpopo | Leg 6 – Qingdao, China to West Coast Australia – 5,600 miles/ 9,000 km around 33 days |
| Thulisile Vanecia Lekalake | 21 | Kwamhlanga, Mpumalanga | Leg 4 – All Australian, Albany WA, Sydney for the Rolex Sydney – Hobart Race, Whitsundays, QLD – 4,200 miles/ 6,760 km around 28 days |
| Sakhile Khulekani Makhanya | 21 | Mtubatuba, Kwazulu-Natal | Reserve |
