African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, Volume 6 (4) - (2017) ISSN: 2223-814X Copyright: © 2017 AJHTL - Open Access- Online @ http//: www.ajhtl.com 1 The contribution of skateboarding to societal challenges Dr PS Radikonyana Department of National School of Government Private Bag X759 ZK Matthews Building 70 Meintjes Street Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa paul.radikonyana@thensg.gov.za Prof JJ Prinsloo* North-West University School of Business and Governance Mafikeng Campus Private Bag X2046 Mmabatho, 2735 South Africa Hein.Prinsloo@nwu.ac.za Prof TG Pelser University of Kwa Zulu-Natal Private Bag X54001, Durban, South Africa pelser@ukzn.ac.za Corresponding Author* Abstract Skateboarding started in the 1950s on the west coast of the United States of America (USA) as a response to a desire of surfers to continue their activity “when the surf was flat” This qualitative study focuses on the perception of what skateboarding is all about in South African cities and townships. In doing this, attention is also given to the skateboarding’s contribution to societal challenges in South African cities and townships. Skateboarding’s sub-culture, like other youth cultures, are commonly regarded as being out of place in open public spaces as they tend to pose ‘a crisis for public space’ or resist the normative logic of public space and offer unwanted alternative uses. The problem within this context can be conceptualized as “an activity for youths involved in anti-social behavior or undesirable social behavior whereby skateboarders are in general previewed as outcasts, nuisances, and even criminals”. This study is closely allied to the social constructivist where the objective of research ‘is to rely as much as possible on the participants’ view of the situation being studied’. A grounded theory guideline approach was applied, thus including open axial and selective coding. Four focus group interviews were executed amongst respondents located in and around Pretoria (Menlyn, Atteridgeville, Lotus gardens and Eersterus). Themes that emerged include the need for experience, skateboarding awareness, skateboarding’s attributes and values, skateboarding as a leisure activity, skateboarding as a competitive sport, personal characters of skateboarding, and anti-criminal behavior. Societies in general, always use the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”, question is, does the society apply this widely used belief system? The findings of this empirical, proof beyond questioning that society does in fact, “judge the book