uShaka Marine World’s Swimanathi programme launched in 2016, teaches children from disadvantaged communities how to swim so that they can enjoy themselves beside a pool or at the beach without the risk of drowning. The rationale behind the initiative is that the majority of non-fee-paying schools in South Africa do not have facilities where they could learn to swim or the resources to pay teachers. As a result, many young lives are at risk of tragic incidents which could be avoided. To date, 520 children have been taught how to swim.
150 Learners from Addington Primary will be participating in a seven-week programme. They will be divided into groups for their swimming lessons which have started on the 25 January 2020. The Principal of Addington Primary, Raj Moodley, thanked all of the sponsors for their contributions and said that the school was, once again, delighted to be part of this programme. He said both the school’s governing body and parents would like to see this continue for many years to come.
In addition to learning how to swim, uShaka Marine World will also teach the children about the wonders of the ocean.
The Department of Sports and Recreation will be sending lifeguards, Jump City will provide inflatables for all the participating children while GeoChem will be sponsoring the programme with sunblocks. Mabliza Lifestyle will pay for the childminders and SA Lifesaving will sponsor the 15 instructors for the programme. Tsogo Sun KZN Hotels proudly supports uShaka Marine World and have sponsored the 2020 programme with swim gear, towels, and lunch for each participant.
CEO, Dr Stella Khumalo pointed out that, as many activities at uShaka focus on families and children, having fun in an aquatic environment, water safety is as equally important. “We believe that it is important for uShaka Marine World, as an iconic tourism destination in Durban, to be involved in projects that not only enhance community development but also promote safety. That’s why we have made our facilities available so that children who would not ordinarily have an opportunity to learn to swim,” she explained.
