Photo by Andy Smith

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

In October 2008, the Foundation launched the Post Apartheid Role Model (PARM) project. Extraordinarily talented South African polo player, Sbu Duma, is trained and mentored by top international professionals in his field. The lead mentor for the project is Federico Bachmann, a 5-goal professional polo player who is based in Argentina. Project locations include Argentina, Spain, France, Germany and Great Britain. The project goals are for the protégé to become a:

1. Highly skilled athlete who will successfully play on a professional polo team in an international area.
2. 
   2. Positive change agent and active role model by teaching polo skills to young people who face adversity.

Relevance

Maybach Foundation protégé Sbu Duma’s story is particularly inspiring considering he is from South Africa, where the effects of Apartheid continue to impact people’s lives today. Mr. Duma is a young black man who grew up in circumstances that provided him with limited opportunities. Through his hard work and dedication, and the support of his local polo community and the Maybach Foundation, he is now already succeeding in a sport that has been extremely exclusive to people of his background. Mr. Duma’s success in sport of polo is a remarkable accomplishment. With Foundation support, it is anticipated that Mr. Duma will reach the level of the worlds’ top professional polo players. He would be the first black South African to do so, a point that is particularly significant in post-apartheid South Africa and a story that has the potential to inspire people worldwide.

The Protégé

Sbu Duma (21) grew up in humble circumstances in the Dargle district of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands in South Africa. His father works on a farm that is owned by a renowned South African polo player. Mr. Duma’s promise was soon spotted by the local Lions River Polo Club, which invited him to attend club practices and provided related support to help him rise to the level of his talent. The South African Polo Association (SAPA) awarded him a scholarship in 1999, and since 2001 he has been representing his country in international school competitions as one of the most talented players. In 2008 Mr. Duma was presented the ‘most valuable player award’ after a historic match where his team won the All Africa Cup at Inanda in Sandton, Johannesburg; the first victory for an all-black South African team.

A documentary featuring Sbu Duma’s unique story is currently being filmed and will be shown on BBC and other platforms in 2010.

The Mentor

Federico Bachmann (42) was born in Venada Tuerto, Argentina. He has been playing polo professionally for over 20 years and is currently at a 5 goal handicap. Mr. Bachmann enjoys passing on his knowledge to younger players and is fully dedicated to the concept of mentoring because he has greatly benefitted from being mentored earlier in his career. His greatest mentor was Hector Borrantes (8 goal, Argentina). Mr. Bachmann is an excellent choice as Mr. Duma’s mentor because of his experience, dedication to mentoring, and extensive personal connections in the field of polo. He is committed to providing opportunities for Mr. Duma to train with and learn from world class polo professionals such as Adolfo Cambiaso, Juan Martin Nero and others.

Project Components

As part of the PARM project the Foundation provides:

• Mentorship and intensive polo training
• Participation in high-goal competitive tournaments
• Public speaking, business and computer skill training
• Community service activities
• Exposure to different cultures
• Coaching on development of concrete objectives that will enable protégé to achieve personal goal of passing on what he has learned to others

Positive Change (Multiplier Effect)

With Foundation support, it is anticipated that Mr. Duma will reach the level of the worlds’ top professional polo players. He would be the first black South African to do so, a point that is particularly significant in post-apartheid South Africa. Mr. Duma’s success will demonstrate that exclusive and discriminating segments of society are antiquated and contribute to a world where racial and socio-economic barriers no longer exist, and a person’s background is no longer relevant to their ability to succeed.

In addition to becoming a highly skilled athlete who will successfully play on a professional polo team in an international area, Mr. Duma’s personal goal is to become a positive change agent and active role model. He is committed to teaching polo skills to young people who face adversity and support them in overcoming socio-economic barriers as he did.

Photo Gallery

Sbu Duma Video

click to view the movie of Sbu Duma