In an effort to curb the high number of drownings while also teaching a lifelong skill, good Samaritan Yona Balindlela is teaching Mdantsane pupils how to swim.
Operating from five inflatable 8x4 metre pools donated by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Imvula Foundation for the same purpose a few years ago, Balindlela teaches 32 Grade 5 pupils and several teachers at five primary schools in the township.
The schools involved include Langelitsha, Thandulwazi, Mfundo, Mzimkhulu and Nzaliseko primary schools.
The swimming coach, who gave up her full-time job to pursue this dream, said she had been motivated into action by the number of water-related tragedies and a love for children.
Not earning a salary from the classes, Balindlela said she relied on assistance from her husband to get to and from classes, with the children’s swimming costumes, swim caps, goggles and floating devices bought through various donations from the public.
The after-school classes, which officially began in October, are held in weekly one-hour sessions.
“Hearing about drownings, particularly over the festive season, was becoming a real issue for me, so this project was just a necessity,” she said.
“I’ve been coaching swimming at a number of different former Model C schools over the last few years and, for them, swimming is a part of the school curriculum, but that is not the case for township schools.
“I realise the reason is a lack of resources because these schools don’t have swimming pools, with the municipal swimming pool in the area also having been out of action for a number of years now.
“I then remembered these schools which had received these pools so they could start swimming, but because they had no coaches, the pools were never put to use,” she said.
“I contacted the principals and they were keen to get involved. After working out the logistics, we got started with lessons.”
Balindlela, who currently described the project as a pilot, said she planned to roll it out to more schools next year, while also incorporating Grades 1 through to Grade 7.
She also hopes to get more teachers involved, with the aim to make swimming a part of compulsory physical education.
“Swimming should not be viewed as a hobby. This is an important life skill. In urban schools swimming is taught to children from a young age all the way through to high school, and we should have that for our kids in the township as well.
“It’s important for me to note that I’m not just giving swimming lessons, I’m teaching the children water safety as well,” said Balindlela, while also making a plea to the public to donate towards the cause.
“I use my own petrol to get from Gonubie to Mdantsane every single day and as we all know, petrol is becoming rather expensive. Some of the children are in need of swimming costumes, goggles, swim caps and floating devices.” — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
Mdantsane pupils learn to swim
Operating from five inflatable 8x4 metre pools donated by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Imvula Foundation for the same purpose a few years ago, Balindlela teaches 32 Grade 5 pupils and several teachers at five primary schools in the township.
The schools involved include Langelitsha, Thandulwazi, Mfundo, Mzimkhulu and Nzaliseko primary schools.
The swimming coach, who gave up her full-time job to pursue this dream, said she had been motivated into action by the number of water-related tragedies and a love for children.
Not earning a salary from the classes, Balindlela said she relied on assistance from her husband to get to and from classes, with the children’s swimming costumes, swim caps, goggles and floating devices bought through various donations from the public.
The after-school classes, which officially began in October, are held in weekly one-hour sessions.
“Hearing about drownings, particularly over the festive season, was becoming a real issue for me, so this project was just a necessity,” she said.
“I’ve been coaching swimming at a number of different former Model C schools over the last few years and, for them, swimming is a part of the school curriculum, but that is not the case for township schools.
“I realise the reason is a lack of resources because these schools don’t have swimming pools, with the municipal swimming pool in the area also having been out of action for a number of years now.
“I then remembered these schools which had received these pools so they could start swimming, but because they had no coaches, the pools were never put to use,” she said.
“I contacted the principals and they were keen to get involved. After working out the logistics, we got started with lessons.”
Balindlela, who currently described the project as a pilot, said she planned to roll it out to more schools next year, while also incorporating Grades 1 through to Grade 7.
She also hopes to get more teachers involved, with the aim to make swimming a part of compulsory physical education.
“Swimming should not be viewed as a hobby. This is an important life skill. In urban schools swimming is taught to children from a young age all the way through to high school, and we should have that for our kids in the township as well.
“It’s important for me to note that I’m not just giving swimming lessons, I’m teaching the children water safety as well,” said Balindlela, while also making a plea to the public to donate towards the cause.
“I use my own petrol to get from Gonubie to Mdantsane every single day and as we all know, petrol is becoming rather expensive. Some of the children are in need of swimming costumes, goggles, swim caps and floating devices.” — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
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