A new initiative to provide swimming lessons to underprivileged children from Ida’s Valley is facing a possible halt due to the temporary closure of the Cloetesville municipal pool.
This is according to Roy van Rooyen, the ward councillor for Ida’s Valley, who started the initiative on 3 March.
An initiative to teach kids swimming lessons at the Cloetesville municipal pool takes place every Tuesday between 15:00 and 16:00, according to Roy van Rooyen, the ward councillor for Ida’s Valley. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
“In such a short time, I could experience how these kids have progressed,” said Van Rooyen. “From being able to do nothing in the water, to being able to dive and float without taking water into their lungs.”
However, Van Rooyen said that the Cloetesville municipal pool is only open from November to April for the warmer seasons.
“The lifeguards who teach the kids will not be at the Cloetesville pool at the end of April and the pool will also be closed,” said van Rooyen.
Despite the young people acquiring many water skills in such a short period of time, there are still so many more skills for them to learn and acquire, according to Sikho Yantolo (22), a lifeguard at the Cloetesville municipal pool.
“It would be really sad if these kids had to stop,” said Yantolo.
The pool has also become a safe space for the kids, where they can grow and become better individuals, according to Yantolo.
Sikho Yantolo said that he started his first season as a lifeguard at the Cloetesville municipal pool last November and will be concluding his season at the end of April. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
“I’ve been a kid before,” said Yantolo. “I also come from a disadvantaged background, so I feel very proud of what we are doing.”
“The other lifeguards and I are happy to give these kids life skills that should be accessible to everyone,” he said.
A trailblazer in the Ida’s Valley community
Roy van Rooyen said that he is the sole person responsible for the initiative and funds it himself.
“I provide the kids with something to eat and drink, as well as transport,” said Van Rooyen.
“We are so grateful for Roy and the lifeguards in making use of their precious time to spend with our kids,” said Neveron Fernandez, a mother to one of the kids who takes part in the swimming initiative. “I think we all as parents appreciate it.’’
“I started this for my love as a councillor and previous educator,” said Roy van Rooyen, in correspondence with SMF News, about the initiative that teaches underprivileged children water safety and swimming skills. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
“I am trying to get approval from Stellenbosch University to allow the kids to use their pools,” said Van Rooyen. “They are also heated so the kids will still be able to swim during the colder months. I don’t want these kids to stop. They look forward to these lessons and I really have big dreams for them. I even hope that someday these kids can have opportunities to compete in competitions.”