Ten teens are coming together, using sport to powerfully rewrite the narrative that is often told about the youth of Lamontville. With fire and determination, they’re ready to make waves at the highly anticipated Oceans 8 Charity Swim.

Durban, South Africa (29 May 2025) – Sport is paving the way for a promising future for 10 passionate young swimmers in the heart of Durban’s Lamontville township as they prepare to realise their shared dream of competing in the Oceans 8 Charity Swim in June.

The six boys and four girls from LSA have been training, hoping for the opportunity to compete in this open-water swim that will not only test their sporting limits but also enhance their mental and physical well-being.

Thanks to funding from the Balwin Foundation, the 10 competitors from Lamontville Swimming Academy (LSA) will get to dive into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in the high-profile, open water swim taking place at Vetch’s Beach, Durban Undersea Club.

The swimming event presents a unique opportunity for each child, with the competition building confidence in young swimmers, as well as exposing them to further sponsorship and upliftment opportunities.

From Township Pool to Ocean Challenge

Life in Lamontville is characterised by various challenges such as crime, drug abuse, and unemployment. However, LSA offers a beacon of hope for the township community by teaching swimming skills and nurturing young talent.

An anonymous donation in 2024 enabled four LSA swimmers to participate in the Oceans 8 Charity Swim for the first time as part of the Youth Development Swimmers Programme. The story of these swimmers captured the hearts of many and led to generous gear donations from Arena South Africa, as well as greater visibility for the Academy’s mission.

“As a coach, it’s been inspiring to work with such a dedicated group in our swimming club. These young swimmers are showing real character, training hard, and aiming high. Some have already competed and done incredibly well. We all share the same vision, to grow in the sport, compete on big stages, and represent our community with pride,” commented Coach Lungisani Zulu.

“We’ve already produced many lifeguards serving across Durban’s beaches, but my dream is to one day see the first swimmer from our community stand on the Olympic podium. With support from Oceans 8, Arena, Balwin Foundation NPC and our local leaders, we’re building something powerful.”

With the 2025 event fast approaching, Oceans 8 Charity Swim event spokesperson, Nicci Carvalho, said she was excited to host swimmers from the LSA again this year and is incredibly grateful for the support toward their Youth Development Swimmers Programme.

“Together, we’re opening up opportunities and creating real change – in and out of the water.”

Sources: Supplied

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PeacePlayers South Africa, a dynamic basketball non-profit organisation making a difference in countless young lives, is celebrating a well-deserved nomination for the KZN Sport Awards’ Recreational Body of the Year.

Durban, South Africa (31 October 2024) – Taking basketball to the heart of KZN’s underserved communities and using the sport to rewrite many young people’s stories, PeacePlayers South Africa has been recognised for its incredible impact.

The international non-profit basketball organisation is overjoyed to announce being nominated and making the top three finalists of this year’s KZN Sport Awards for Recreational Body of the Year.

“This honourable recognition would not be possible without your belief and commitment to our mission and vision.

“The nomination alone is huge. We know many organisations are doing incredible work in the province and we want you to know we don’t take this for granted,” PeacePlayers thanked online.

Since 2001, PeacePlayers has been empowering young people through long-term life skills and basketball programmes by providing access to safe spaces to collaborate and develop leadership skills and friendships.

The organisation has impacted thousands of young lives in the communities of Wentworth, Lamontville, Umlazi Durban City, Molweni and Cottonlands by hosting tournaments, building basketball courts and training youth as peer educators and coaches.

Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, the organisation acknowledged all the individuals, schools, organisations and partners who continuously make their mission to use basketball as a vehicle for change possible.

“We want to send a major shoutout to the communities we work with, the schools, participants, parents, coaches, staff, volunteers, board members and all friends of PeacePlayers International. Thank you for all your contributions and endless support.

“We are honoured to be nominated amongst the greats who are continuously showing up for children and youth in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.”

The KZN Sport Awards 2024 will be hosted on 02 November 2024 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC in Durban.

Sources: PeacePlayers South Africa

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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