Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth has officially entered the 2026 Lipton Challenge returning with a proudly homegrown team led by Thando Mntambo.
Currently working at North Sails, Thando plays a role in building the J/22 sails used throughout the fleet. On the water, he has enjoyed recent success with back-to-back MSC Week victories in 2024 and 2025, followed by a runner-up finish this year, as well as victory at the 2025 L26 Spring Regatta. This will be his third Lipton, having done one in the L26 and the J22 Class.
What makes this campaign especially unique is that every member of the crew learned to sail through Izivunguvungu. Alongside sailors such as Siphelele Gayeka, the team represents the long-standing commitment to developing talent from within.
Through its investment in the Mirror class, Izivunguvungu has created opportunities for young sailors to compete across South Africa, providing a pathway that has produced the very sailors now representing in the country’s premier keelboat event.
Built on homegrown talent, development and opportunity, Izivunguvungu continues to demonstrate the strength of grassroots sailing as they take on the 2026 Lipton Challenge.
