Where it all began

The Origin

leph Surf was founded by Rehgert van Zyl in August 2007 after completing his Bachelor Degree in Humanities and Anthropology. After college, he took a job as a community worker for a Dutch NGO in George, South Africa. This NGO focused on assisting children living on the streets.

Through this experience, Rehgert quickly realized that his focus needed to be on prevention rather than rehabilitation. Knowing about the complexities of race and class systems in South Africa, he began to think of ways that he could connect to the multiracial youth that he wanted to serve and mentor.

A common ground was needed through which to meet these street kids. Being an avid surfer, Reghert used the foundations of learning to surf as a metaphor for teaching important life lessons. It was “learning by doing.”

And so, Aleph Surf was founded in South Africa in 2007 and it has now expanded to assisting people who lack opportunities in life in Africa, Mexico, the Middle East and beyond.

The Name

Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet which has incredible depth and meaning. It symbolizes the beginning and foundation on which all else is built. It also symbolizes oneness and unity. Our desire is to lay a solid foundation in the lives of people so they may be able to weather the storms of life and come through the other side stronger.

‘Our house built on solid rock.’ – Matthew 7:24-25

Our

Belief

We believe that true change can only come from heart transformation.

That is why Aleph is a non-profit faith based organisation. We believe that all people have been created with free will and choice and have the right to believe and follow whatever he/she wills. All life has meaning and value. We do not discriminate on grounds of religion, race or culture and will help whoever is in need.

Our hope is for people to have a life-changing encounter with Jesus/Yeshua, become citizens of the Kingdom and can live as sons and daughters of the Great I Am.

Testimonies

JIMEAL

My name is Jimeal, I am 20 years old and live in Jeffreys Bay Pellsrus.

When I was 7 years old I had the mind set that I would never make it in life. Then one day I went for a bike ride with my friends, not knowing this day would change my life forever. We were circling our neighborhood when I saw this surfboard in a garage as I was biking past. Just then I heard a voice say to me ‘go back to Jimeal’. My friend John Paul and I decided to walk into this garage where we saw the surf boards and have a chat with this random stranger.

This guy shared that he would love to teach us surfing and about the one that created the waves. In my mind I went crazy because I always wanted to learn how to surf. Little did I know this relationship change my life. I called all my friends and invited them to join us. The Aleph family helped me gain vision for me life. My mindset changed from not knowing I had purpose to knowing that God created me to be an expression of his glory. . I am now a leader at the Aleph afterschool program, teaching kids how to ride waves, helping them through their day to day troubles and spreading the Hope we have in Jesus through recreation in the ocean.

I have now been a part of the Aleph family for 12 years. All this times Rex (Reghert) has been a mentor to me in life. He has never given up me, he is like a father to me.