UKUWELA: THE CROSSING

Synopsis

The Cape to Rio yacht race is a grueling competition across the South Atlantic, the longest continent to continent race in the southern hemisphere and a true test of a sailor’s mettle.

Born in a hut in the rural village of Qumbu in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, a young Sibusiso Sizatu makes the unexpected journey to Cape Town after learning about his real father. In the bustling, poverty-stricken township of Masiphumelele Sibu struggles to adapt to life in a big city and going to school for the first time. It isn’t too long before he has his first, disastrous introduction to sailing. Over the years that follow, he makes the incredible transition from being a carefree herd boy to a sailing instructor at the Royal Cape Yacht Club Sailing Academy. There he brings the sport of sailing to young, marginalized and at-risk kids all from townships of Cape Town, where they learn skills that give them hope and opportunities in the maritime industry.

It is also at the Academy where he sets himself an audacious goal: to compete in the iconic Cape to Rio yacht race… and to do so with a crew chosen solely from the Academy itself.

Ukuwela: The Crossing is the inspiring true story of a young team full of talent and determination, born into a difficult and troubled life, who achieve the impossible by not only competing in the Cape to Rio race but achieve a podium finish.