The South African Defence force has rolled out a number of coaching clinics at both Galeshewe stadium and Karin Muir swimming pool in Kimberley in the Northern cape. The clinics included rugby, netball, softball and swimming amongst others. The sporting activities started from Saturday, 17th of February until Tuesday 20th February 2018. They formed part of build-up programs towards the national armed forces day which was held to commemorate the 1917 SS Mendi accident.
Karin Muir swimming pool in Kimberley was a hype of activity. This was when multitudes of school kids from various local Kimberley schools flocked to the facility for important swimming lessons. The lessons were rolled out by the South African National Defence force together with officials from Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and its federations. One of the schools in attendance was Floors Srimary school whose learners could not hide their excitement. SANDF''S captain Tumelo Tlhakudi, one of the swimming instructors from the air force base and says the project is aimed at decreasing the rate of children who often drowns.“Furthermore we’d like to entice the young ones to show them that there is more to the army than just guns and war”.
A local swimming instructor Faried Josephs from Northern Cape Aquatic Sports Association was also present to assist and make sure that this initiative does not end here. "I would like to indicate to our youths interested in swimming that the Floors North Primary School swimming pool is being renovated and interested parties are welcome to join the swim team. We cannot teach a person how to swim in one day, we need to nurture and instil all the basic skills that are needed for one to be a good swimmer”, said Josephs.
Eleven year old Junior Maseko from Floors North Primary mentioned how excited he is to be taught how to swim. The young Maseko says being from a disadvantaged background and having not being exposed to swimming facilities before, it really thrills him to be given this once in a life time opportunity. Many young stars were peddling and kicking water holding on to the swimming boards and stroking with unbridled passion.
Meanwhile at Galeshewe stadium multitudes were having the time of their lives, enjoying clinics in various sporting codes including soccer, rugby, netball, softball and football amongst others.