Special swimers make their mark at Midmar

This year’s Midmar Mile was a huge success for the 28 Upper South Coast special needs and previously disadvanted children who entered.

The group, headed by beach superintendent, Jayce Govender and surf instructor Wesley Smith, comprised nine children from Toti, 10 from the Dakota informal settlement and nine from Lotus Park.

“Six of these children live with disabilities, such as Autism, and one child is totally sight-impaired,” said Jayce.

“Most of them couldn’t even swim two months ago.”

District five lifeguards started training them at pipeline pool with the intention of taking them to swim the mile. Jayce got a sponsor from Shoprite Checkers to cover their registration fees, food, goodie bags, shorts, T-shirts and rash vest.

Risky Gumede organised a 22-seater bus and bakkie to transport everyone.

“We left Toti at 8am to pick up the rest of the children at Dakota.

When we got to the dam we divided our team into three groups with one safety officer per group. Danito, the sight-impaired boy, had his own safety officer,” said Jayce.

Although the children were nervous at the start of the swim and they battle with tough conditions, including a head wind and choppy water, 18 completed the race and got medals.

“Danito also finished and received a medal which reduced all of us to tears at the finish.

Thanks to Risky, eThekwini Municipality, Shoprite Checkers, Snr Peacemaker,

the pipeline lifeguards and most especially the children.

This was the fourth year of this programme and we hope to make the fifth bigger and better.”