Paddling To Greatness

Beyond the River is a movie about perseverance and taking chances, but mostly it’s about the friendship between Dusi stars Siseko Ntondini and Piers Cruickshanks.

- Nadim Nyker

HE’D hoped the narrow boat and paddle would take him places he’d never been – little did he expect he would earn a gold medal in Africa’s biggest and toughest canoeing event . . . Or that his achievement would be adapted into a movie that’s inspiring audiences across the country.

Siseko Ntondini is one of the real-life characters behind Beyond the River – a home-grown, heartfelt film starring newcomer Lemogang Tsipa and Durbanborn actor Grant Swanby that shows how sport can inspire hope and create unity across the country.

Growing up in Soweto, Siseko recalls how he delighted in running away with his friends to cool off in the Orlando Dam during the sweltering summer months. However, he had to do it on the quiet. His mother, Nomazibulo, believed there were monsters living in the water and forbade from him playing there.

When she discovered he was disobeying her she gave him a hiding – but that didn’t stop him from dashing off to the dam whenever he could.

It was there he saw children paddling in canoes. The kids belonged to the Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (Scarc) and Siseko and his friends, intrigued by the activity, would often sneak into the dam’s club to take a canoe out on the water.

In their rush to return the boats they damaged the expensive equipment so club chairman Ryno Armdorf gave the boys an ultimatum: stop taking the canoes or join the club.

“I was the only one who wanted to join,” Siseko recalls. “It was winter 2006 and he told us to come to the club early in the morning to test our fitness and speed.”