Survival Swimming reaches N’duli Primary

As the summer season draws to a close, so too does another successful chapter of the NSRI’s Survival Swimming programme in Ceres. While hundreds of children benefited from weekly lessons in the municipal pools, one school, N’duli Primary, unfortunately, could not participate this season as the programme was already at full capacity.

Determined to find a way to include the children from N’duli, NSRI Water Safety Instructor Eoudia Erasmus reached out to the school’s principal, Mrs Fezeka Lethunya. Together, they arranged a once-off “Pop-Up” Survival Swimming day for 90 students – an initiative that turned into something truly special.

“The ‘Pop-Up’ was not only a huge success – it was a fantastic experience for all of us!” said Eoudia. 

Transport posed a significant challenge before the children could even get to the pool. Taxis had to be hired to transport the students from the N’duli area to the pool in Ceres. Thanks to the support of the parents who covered the costs themselves, the children could take part.

Once at the pool, a different kind of barrier emerged: fear. Many of the children had never been in a public swimming pool before, and trusting the instructors was no small task. Eoudia shared, “Another challenge was not only the children’s fear of water but also trusting the instructors who helped them in the pool.”

However, with time, patience, and an abundance of encouragement, the children began to thrive. “Seeing that transformation was incredibly rewarding,” she said. “Some children refused to let go of the pool’s edge at first. Through reassurance from teachers, instructors, and even their peers, they slowly gained confidence. By the end of the lesson, they were floating on their own – with huge smiles on their faces!”

Dominique Roberts, a strong swimmer who is in the process of becoming an NSRI volunteer, assisted on the day and brought incredible energy and enthusiasm. “Our goal is not just to teach survival swimming,” Eoudia explained, “but to continue breaking down barriers so that every child has the chance to develop life-saving skills, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for water safety.”
Eoudia added her gratitude to the Witzenberg Municipality for the use of the pool and to the lifeguards whose dedication ensured the day ran safely.

Looking ahead, there’s hope that N’duli Primary will be part of the regular programme next season and that sustainable transport solutions can be found. “We are building bridges!” a volunteer remarked on the day, and that sentiment continues to inspire the team as they plan for an even more inclusive season next year.