Lifeguards and swimming organisations left in the lurch as pools remain closed

The closure of public swimming pools in Tshwane has left lifeguards, swimming organisations, coaches and residents frustrated and without a source of income.

The Tshwane metro announced the closure of pools last December and they remain closed to this day.

According to the metro, all public pools remain closed, while those located within municipal resorts are open.

The president of Swim SA, Anton Jordaan, said that the closure of public pools has brought their water safety programmes to a standstill.

He added that one of the organisation’s ways of making money is hosting galas which is now impossible with pools closed.

“Our performers and swimmers do not have the opportunity to swim in galas or national events, which means they cannot be selected for international performances,” he said.

“Our swimming instructors are also left without jobs.”

Jordaan added that the closure of pools has resulted in the cancellation of their annual school league, scheduled to take place at Hillcrest Swimming Pool.

“We have about 20 high schools and primary schools that usually participate in this league around this time of the year,” he said.

Jordaan expressed confusion as to why the pools are still closed, given the recent rainfall and the fact that the dams are full.

He said they have written to the metro to request that at least one pool be opened, but are still waiting for a response.

Swimming instructor at Hillcrest Swimming Pool, Natasha Da Silva Esclana, said she is lucky to have her own swimming pool at home, but her colleagues who are permanent lifeguards are left without jobs.

“The closure of pools does not address the bigger issue, which is the maintenance of public pools,” she said.

Lifeguard instructor Martina van Bout said the closure of pools has left her without an income.

“My job as a swimming instructor was my only way of putting food on the table,” she said.

Van Bout said that the metro’s decision to close all public pools is unfair, especially considering that pools in households remain open.

“We have written to the metro asking them to at least open one pool in each region, but we have not received a response,” she said.

Van Bout added that the closure of pools has also impacted her ability to train and qualify lifeguards.

“Nobody can qualify for their jobs,” she said.

Van Bout added that they also wrote to the metro asking for a refund of season tickets.

She said when the pools closed, they had already paid money for training in the pools.

“The metro has not yet given feedback on when we can expect our refunds.”

Herman van der Westhuizen, a resident, said the closure of pools has left people upset and swimming clubs stranded.

“We now have to use private pools, which are expensive,” he said.

Van Der Westhuizen expressed his belief that the municipality is avoiding the issue of water leaks at the pools.

“The Hillcrest swimming pool is not maintained and the grass is long,” he said.

According to metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the community pools will remain closed for the duration of Level 1 water restrictions.

“The municipal resorts remain open, and those pools form part of a broader facility where restrictions are not feasible,” he said.

Mashigo said the metro’s Regional Operations and Coordination’s office has not been formally petitioned by the group of lifeguard instructors to consider reopening a community pool.

In response to refunds for seasonal tickets, Mashigo said that the tickets will still be valid should a decision be made to open the loose-standing swimming pools before the end of the current swimming season.

“The City of Tshwane regrets any inconvenience caused by the closure of pools.”

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