We are proud to present our 2025 Integrated Annual Report, reflecting how the work of the NSRI creates waves of meaningful, lasting impact across South African society.
– Jonathan Velloza
Message from our Chairperson
Once again, it is time to reflect on another remarkable year for the NSRI. 2025 was a year of continued growth, resilience and purpose, and I am proud of what our organisation has achieved together.
The year marked Mike Vonk’s first full year as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and I am pleased to report that his leadership brought fresh energy and clarity of purpose to the organisation. Mike has built strongly on the foundation laid by his predecessors while charting a confident course for the years ahead. I thank him and the entire executive team for their dedication and hard work throughout the year.
2025 was once again a busy year for our organisation. Our community programmes continued to grow, with 924 799 young South Africans trained in water safety education and survival swimming, an increase of 2.4% compared to 2024. The Pink Rescue Buoy (PRB) programme demonstrated its lifesaving value, with a cumulative total of 239 lives now attributed to these iconic buoys. In addition, our teams undertook 1 069 rescue operations, rescuing 1 548 people from potentially life-threatening situations. Our volunteers also assisted 70 animals in distress.
We continued to invest meaningfully in our future. During the past year we made the decision to accelerate the completion of the Offshore Rescue Craft (ORC) programme. We have made great progress in achieving this, with the construction of new bases at Station 4 Mykonos and Station 8 Hout Bay well underway. Both bases will receive their new rescue craft in 2026, marking the end of the ORC build programme and making a material difference to the safety of people at sea. Our investments into our operations speak to our long-term commitment to protecting South African lives, both at sea and in our inland waterways.
At the heart of everything we do are our volunteers: ordinary South Africans who give extraordinary amounts of their time, skill and energy in the service of others. I remain in awe of their commitment and sacrifice, and it is an honour to serve alongside them. To every volunteer across our network of rescue stations, as always, thank you.
None of what we achieve would be possible without the generosity of our donors. The trust our supporters place in us is something we do not take lightly. To each and every one of you, whether you contribute regularly, occasionally or for the first time, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your generosity saves lives.
As we look ahead, I do so with confidence and optimism. The NSRI is an organisation in good health: operationally strong, financially sound and guided by a clear sense of purpose. I wish all in our community a safe, healthy and prosperous 2026.
Jonathan Velloza
Chairperson
