SA expat raises funds for NSRI with world-first swim on Lake Geneva

South African-born François Bonnici has always felt at home in the water. Growing up in Cape Town, he was a surfer first, braving the cold Atlantic. But when the waves were still, François discovered open water swimming. Since then, he’s taken on iconic swims – completing the crossing from Robben Island to Cape Town solo once and again as part of a relay.

Life later took him to Geneva, where Lake Geneva's still, glacial expanse replaced the waves he so loved. It was there that François strengthened his love for open water swimming and, most recently, became part of a team that made history while raising vital funds for water safety in South Africa and Switzerland.

Last month, François and five teammates achieved what no one had before: a two-way relay swim across Lake Geneva, swimming 144 kilometres over 50 hours and 37 minutes. Starting at Château de Chillon near Montreux, the team swam day and night, contending with sudden storms, shifting currents, rain, and exhaustion.

“The first leg was glorious – sunshine and calm water,” François recalls. “But on the way back, the lake showed its teeth.” Against the odds, the team pressed on, spurred by a shared mission to raise awareness and funds for drowning prevention.

For François, that mission was deeply personal. “Being a doctor, I saw quite a few cases of drowning, and being a surfer, I actually was involved in quite a few rescues,” he says. “It’s a very scary thing, and something so preventable.”

Drowning claims an estimated 300 000 lives worldwide every year. For François, supporting the NSRI was a natural choice. “The NSRI are one of the best organisations in the world, identified by the World Health Organisation as really having effective programmes,” he explains. “It’s something that’s certainly close to me, having the personal experiences.” Beyond fundraising, François also supports the NSRI as a regular monthly donor.

The relay was more than just a physical challenge. It was an exercise in teamwork, trust, and friendship. “With this team I’d go almost anywhere, to the ends of the earth – we would support each other,” François says. He adds that there are “many reasons” to be part of the swim this year. “To do a world first challenge is such an exciting opportunity, and to raise funds for the NSRI.”

Together, the six swimmers – François, Alex Seeger (Germany), Dóra Sári (Hungary), Katie Glass (Canada), Kate Norton (UK), and Jonny Singh (UK) – not only conquered the lake but also exceeded their fundraising goal of CHF 10,000 (about R 220,000). Half of the money went to the NSRI, and half to Swiss organisations working in drowning prevention.

Looking back, François reflects on what drives him into cold, challenging waters time and again. “My heart is always in the Atlantic Ocean,” he says with a smile. “But since moving to Switzerland, exploring the lakes here has been extraordinary. Swimming is something we all enjoy – and we hope everyone can also have the experience and skills to enjoy the water the way we do.”

Through courage, endurance, and community, François and his team proved that ordinary people can do extraordinary things – and in the process, they’ve given others the chance to be safer in the water. 

All photos by Konstantin Kleine.