Blind councillor raises R13K for school with 25th Midmar Mile
Hennie Nortjié is appreciative of the Midmar Mile organisers for including the disabled.
Tshwane councillor Hentie Nortjé swam his 25th Midmar Mile this February 8 raising funds for the Prinshof School for the Visually Impaired in Pretoria.
The blind PR councillor for Ward 8, who is an attorney at Malan and Nortjé Attorneys and is a long-distance swimmer, has been raising money for schools, charities, churches, shelters and many more organisations throughout his years of competing in the Mile.
The a’Quelle Midmar Mile is an annual swimming race held in February at Midmar Dam near Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
Nortjé said he keeps coming back because the Mile is all-inclusive – even for the disabled – and is a supporter of the charitable work the it does.
“The Midmar Mile is in the first instance the biggest open water swimming event in the world and still is very well planned and organised. It makes space for all walks of life and even the disabled,” he said.
“Disability is not always the priority for individuals, institutions and the SA government. I would like to see myself as an activist for the disabled.
This project for the 2025 Midmar Mile will contribute to teaching foundation phase learners at Prinshof School to swim and be safe in the water,” Nortjé said.
He swam the mile with his son and guide, Henco, as he has done in previous swims – something he does not take for granted due to past experiences.
“During a race some time ago, my pilot decided to drop out of the race halfway through the mile and left me ‘high and dry’ in the middle of the dam. Due to the common sense of some marshals, I was fortunate to get another pilot and could complete the race,” Nortjé said.
Nortjé’s goal is to raise R50 000 for Prinshof School and has so far raised just over R13 000.
He said he is grateful to make it through each Mile and can’t wait for the next one. The school is running the project in co-operation with an institution known as Kiddies Aqua.
“At the end of each Midmar Mile, I am always relieved, thankful and motivated for the next year. I must give credit to the organisers for having this event for so many years now, and as I have pointed out, to specifically also accommodate the disabled,” Nortjé said.
To support Hentie Nortje and the Prinshof School for the Visually Impaired, head to:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/blind-councillor-swims-midmar-for-blind-children.
Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/100011134927136/videos/1270359360707661/
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