INLSA
These young men from the Umthombo Street Childrens organisation cannot wait to swim the Midmar Mile this weekend. With them is Jayce Govender, front, the manager of eThekwinis municipal lifeguards. The names of the youths have been withheld at the request of the organisation. Picture: Lauren Rawlins
Bernadette Wolhuter and Tommy Ballantyne
Months and, for some, years of hard work and dedication will pay off when eThekwini’s municipal lifeguards’ manager, Jayce Govender, and 12 young men from the Umthombo Street Children’s organisation in Durban, set out to complete the Midmar Mile this weekend.
“A couple of the younger guys are nervous,” said Govender, “But I have told them we are not swimming for individual places, we start as a team and we finish as a team.”
The team’s members range in age from 12 to 18.
With a sponsorship from Shoprite, Govender and his fellow lifeguards began preparing the youths for the race six weeks ago. But they started taking children, identified for their capabilities, off the streets and teaching them to swim two years ago.
Govender also came from a poor background and said he would not have been eThekwini’s municipal lifeguards’ manager today unless someone had taken the time to teach him to swim.
“By doing the same for these kids we are opening up doors for them,” Govender said.
“They are fantastic kids, with loads of talent, who just need to be given a chance.”
He said swimming gave the youths something constructive to do with their time and kept them away from crime and drugs.
Govender was confident each of the young men would complete the race.
“And when they do they will feel a massive sense of accomplishment,” he said.
Also participating in the swim is Sebastian Crawford, a Durban-born physically disabled swimmer, who trains with the Westville Swimming Club and is sponsored by the Prime Human Performance Institute.
Crawford is the lead swimmer of The Extra Mile Foundation, which aims to raise awareness for people with disabilities in Africa. The initiative is driven by the idea that everyone can make a difference and “go the extra mile”.
Last year’s Midmar Mile was the pilot event for this initiative, which also raises funds for two projects in KwaZulu-Natal: the Quadpara Association and Khetiwe, which provide services for children and adults with disabilities.
Crawford and his team of helpers are aiming to collect 10 000 dedications to the Extra Mile project over this weekend at Midmar Dam.
You will be able to find them near the finish of the Midmar Mile, alongside the engraving tent.
For more information visit www.e-mile.org. 811
