Nabilah Diedericks Is Using Aquatics to Change Lives in The Cape Flats

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Despite having to travel far to learn how to swim and being told she was “too old” to succeed in the sport by coaches as a teen, Nabilah Diedreks channelled that lack of belief into personal determination and has, over the years, gone on to build what her community lacked: a swim school that promotes access, opportunity, and unwavering belief in every child.

Cape Flats, South Africa (29 July 2025) – In the Cape Flats, where access to pools is limited and drowning remains one of the leading causes of death among children, former competitive swimmer Nabilah Diedericks is using aquatics to break down social and structural barriers for the youth.

Through her swim school, Finz Aquatics and Fitness Development, she is disrupting inequality by training coaches of colour, reaching children in informal settlements, and opening doors for youth with disabilities, a critical step in addressing South Africa’s aquatic development gap.

Nabilah’s journey with swimming began as a child when her parents’ sole intention was to ensure she was water safe.

“Back then, we didn’t have the luxury that many kids enjoy today, like heated indoor pools or top-tier aquatic centres. Coming from the Cape Flats, that kind of “wow” factor was simply too expensive and out of reach,” Nabilah tells Good Things Guy in an interview.

As a child, she had to travel a significant distance from her community to access water safety skills, which later proved worthwhile, as she tapped into a love that saw her defy coaches’ expectations, win several medals and go on to build something that would inspire youth to dream beyond their circumstances.

“At 13, most coaches didn’t see much potential in me. I was considered “too old” to be taken seriously. Their assumptions and lack of belief became the fuel that pushed me forward. Sadly, that mindset still exists in some spaces today, coaches making early judgments about a child’s capabilities.

“That’s exactly why I’ve committed to closing the gap in the Cape Flats. I’m building what we didn’t have: access, opportunity, and belief in every child, regardless of where they come from or how late they start.”

While there are now more pools in the Cape Flats area, Nabilah affirms that the qualifications she and her coaches hold when it comes to working with individuals with disabilities, special needs, and autism are what set them apart.

Having been herself a child who was told she was “too slow” and struggled to fit in, Nabiliah knows firsthand the struggles many vulnerable children face as well as the significance of being seen and believed in; a philosophy she strives to instil in every swimmer.

“I believe in supporting children with special needs. There is so much research, so many articles, so much evidence proving over and over again how powerful sport is for them, not just physically, but emotionally and socially.

“What makes us unique is that we go beyond just swimming lessons. We also focus on fitness and developmental programs, offering a holistic approach to aquatic therapy and learning.”

Nabilah and her dedicated team have created a safe environment, transformed lives, and equipped young people with skills that extend beyond simply feeling safe to dive into a pool.

“The most rewarding part is seeing swimming become more than just a skill. It becomes their life skill, something no one can ever take away from them. They leave with more than just the ability to swim. They walk away with confidence, a sense of peace, and that “wow” feeling of personal achievement,” Nabilah says.

Although she hasn’t always considered herself a community leader, the positive ripple effects of change witnessed in young lives and fostered in the Cape Flats through her swim school have positioned her as one.

“When you stand up for what’s right and fair, you naturally become a leader.

“What drives me is seeing injustice, when people lie, try to overpower others, or push the Cape Flats community aside. That fires me up. I won’t just stand by quietly. I push back, I fight for what’s right, and I make sure our voices are heard.”

For Nabilah, leadership is about actions and hers are inspiring change and challenging the monopoly in sports, because, as she eloquently puts “the system needs to change, and I’m here to lead that change.”

Nabilah is not just teaching water safety; she’s building a vibrant space where sport becomes a tool for inclusion, empowerment, economic participation and a pathway to a brighter future!