MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

This year marks a milestone for NSRI’s Drowning Prevention Department: watersafety instructors are now operational in all of South Africa’s nine provinces. Meet a few of the amazing people who are empowering the country’s youth to be safe and responsible around water. Compiled by Wendy Maritz

Nelly Mdumbi, Eastern Cape

➤ Joined: 8 May 2023

➤ Taught: water safety to 384 children; survival swimming to 167 children

My reason for joining the team was to help everyone stay safe, because it is crucial for kids to comprehend the risks associated with water and how to act in and around water, and all this should be taught at an early age. The most satisfying aspect of my job will always be passing on life skills to others. It gives me the warmest feeling to know that these kids will always be able to swim and feel secure in the water because of my teaching. It’s also rewarding when kids start getting excited to swim even when l am teaching them water safety in class.

Although I had no experience in lifesaving, l was eager to learn when I began working for the NSRI. One of the instructors, Moses Mbhuthuma, taught me how to swim so that I could keep myself and others safe. He gave me the confidence to feel secure around water, which then gave me the ability to advise people on how to stay safe in and around water, which makes me very pleased.

Mthandeni Mthethwa, Mpumalanga

➤ Joined: 1 March 2023

➤ Taught: 5 129 children at 25 schools

I joined to teach children about water and safety because I understand the need to raise awareness of and help prevent accidental drownings and other water-related deaths.

It’s rewarding for me to teach and educate; my approach is positive and professional.

My background is in the education field and I also worked as an assistant manager, so I know how to deal with different behaviours. I enjoy facilitating others and in my career I have covered topics like hygiene and new-venture creation. I love what I do, and often volunteer to work late.

Thembalakhe Maphumulo, Limpopo

➤ Joined: 8 May 2023

➤ Taught: learners in Grades R, 1 and 2 at Spa Park Primary School

I joined the programme to teach water safety because of the love and passion I have for teaching and passing on the message of water safety – as well as the dangers around bodies of water, such as swimming pools, beaches, lakes and rivers.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is when I ask learners some questions about what I was teaching in class and get marvellous answers from them. I see that they have learned what I was teaching!

I come from a lifesaving background working as a seasonal lifeguard and pool supervisor. Sometimes we as a lifesaving club would host a water safety event where we’d go to schools and educate children of all ages about the dangers in and around water. I also used to assist our club instructor with the training of candidates. This involved a range of skills and techniques, including recognising and responding to all emergencies, and the safety of the people in and around water.

Nokufika Bukatya, North West

➤ Joined: March 2023

➤ Taught: 4 865 people

I have always loved water and swimming, so joining the NSRI as a water safety instructor was a good opportunity for me to teach people, especially children, about water safety. The rewarding part of my job is passing on knowledge that might one day save a life, and knowing that the people I’ve taught have learnt something they will never forget for the rest of their lives.

When I was growing up I loved the water but I couldn’t swim. Fortunately a swimming pool was built in my community and a company called Swimming South Africa was giving free swimming lessons, so I joined up. Later on, I joined Tower 13 to become a beach patrol officer.

Simoné Bantam, Northern Cape

➤ Joined: 1 May 2019

➤ Taught: +-5 000 people in the Northern Cape and +- 5 500 in the Western Cape

I joined to teach water safety at schools because I wanted to help educate kids and young adults on how to properly and safely be around water. As a water safety instructor, I believe it is important to stress the importance of water safety and the dangers that can come with improper aquatics education. I also wanted to use my knowledge and skills in a way that was both educational and engaging.

The most rewarding aspect of being a water safety instructor is providing children with the skills, knowledge and confidence to safely participate in water activities. Being able to teach and empower others to enjoy water-related activities with confidence provides a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

I grew up in a small fishing village on the West Coast; work opportunities were very limited. I obtained my National Diploma in Office Administration at the West Coast College at the Vredendal campus. I started my career at Sea Rescue in May 2019 in the Drakenstein Municipal area and the Cape Winelands District. Although I do not have any formal teaching experience, I did my two-day training session in Ceres, under the guidance of Ms Eoudia Erasmus. I also attended the first-aid training. Working for NSRI has given me the opportunity to facilitate water safety at many of the Boland schools, teaching young children the importance of water safety. It also taught me how to prevent drowning and, in an emergency, to perform CPR and alert the necessary ambulance and the police services. I look forward to continuing to do so in the Northern Cape, which is the largest province in South Africa.

Tseliso Koatla, Free State

➤ Joined: 8 May 2023

➤ Taught: 294 learners

I am responsible for water safety in the Free State and started the programme in the Metsimaholo District, Sasolburg. As a qualified lifeguard, lifeguard instructor and swimming coach, joining the NSRI has empowered me to keep water users safe and prevent drowning through the NSRI initiatives. The most rewarding aspect for me is that through the programmes I will be enhancing my skills and knowledge, earning the respect of the public and knowing that my teaching will one day save a life.

Growing up in SA, I was privileged to do competitive swimming and learn lifesaving skills as a youngster. After completing matric I graduated as a teacher and taught for 10 years. I then left teaching to work at the Emerald Casino and later the Emfuleni Local Municipality as a swimming pool superintendent. Since leaving the municipality in 2016, I still conduct swimming and lifesaving classes.

Thulani Gxala, Eastern Cape

➤ Joined: April 2023

➤ Taught: 414 learners

I joined the water safety programme because I have been doing this kind of work with my lifesaving company since 2016. I love it because it helps decrease the number of drownings/deaths in aquatic areas in our country.

I grew up with lifesaving. I started at the age of 15 in 2001. I have been doing lifesaving classes under Lifesaving SA, and completed three successful classes with Lifeguard Awards, and all my candidates are now working in different places in South Africa. In 2005 my lifeguard club appointed me as a Nipper officer, and I started working with children, doing water and hazard awareness and swimming lessons, and so on.

I then joined the NSRI in 2018, and became a surf rescue swimmer. After that I got the opportunity to work as an assistant instructor doing training with Sam Rorwana, Sarah Sandmann and Matthys Koch in the Wild Coast. (We also made a documentary.) I am now doing coxswain and boat crew training as well.