The elderly people of the South African slum of Soweto breath deeply and urge themselves ahead while their fellow swimmers cheer them on.
Throughout the summer, more than forty elderly ladies, many of whom have never had the chance to learn to swim, take weekly swimming classes in an attempt to conquer their fear of drowning and improve their health. Many of the program’s participants have never had the chance to learn to swim.
While COVID-19 was at its height in South Africa in 2021, a former lifeguard called Sibu Zabane, who is now a fitness instructor, launched the program with the goal of supporting older persons, who were the most vulnerable to the virus.
Gabashane Molefe, 66 at the time, decided to engage in the program after he retired.
“That was not an easy feat! My legs hurt, I was trying to remain afloat, and I couldn’t catch my breath “Molefe is now able to swim without the assistance of life preservers.
