Recent renovations to Mthatha’s only public swimming pool have turned the facility into an attraction again, drawing dozens of children to the venue every day since the start of the summer season.
Swim SA instructor in the OR Tambo district Karen Katz, one of those who pushed the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality to reopen the facility, runs a programme at the venue every day, where she offers free swimming lessons and promotes general safety in and around the pool.
“We’re here every day as Swim SA to just raise water safety awareness and things like how to rescue and recognise a drowning and just general safety around the pool.”
She said the KSD area offered very little entertainment activities for children and that the pool opened just in time for summer and the December holidays.
After years of closure, water-loving people were able to get back to swimming with the reopening in November.
KSD mayor Dumani Zozo said coming to a functioning swimming pool was not only fun for children but it was an important social space where families could bond.
Refurbishments included a new filtration system, repairs to the control room, new lock systems, and cement work on the actual pools. There are also new showers and toilets...