Even as the current year winds down, the Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Action Group (KPCA) is already inviting the community to make a splash for its beloved city in the new year.
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (08 December 2025) – We may be at the end of the year, but the Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Action Group (KPCA) is already underway with preparations for the next.
The non-profit environmental organisation is challenging the greater Pietermaritzburg community to make a big splash at the 2026 Midmar Mile to save the beloved city.
This ‘fun-raising’ initiative is a crucial effort to secure the funds needed to make Pietermaritzburg (the place of the elephant) cleaner, neater, and better for everyone who calls it home.
With the Wykeham Collegiate junior school already on board, the KPCA Group hopes to gather a record-breaking “herd of 100 Ellies” to swim the mile in the 2026 run.
“We are calling schools, clubs, offices and places of worship to don your swimming trunks and join our herd,” says KPCA’s Executive Director Lara Edmond.
“The 2026 goal is to raise R1,000 per individual Ellie (swimmer) and R500 per Ellie if you are part of a herd (e.g. School or Club), but we will help our herd achieve that.”
Leading the charge once again to save PMB is inspirational para swimmer Leon Coetzer.
“Recently, this inspirational young man powered through and secured 1st place in the U/14 category at the KZN Provincial Open Water Championships. What makes this achievement even more special is that, although Leon has completed the Midmar Mile many times, this was his first-ever competitive ocean swim – and he rose to the challenge with courage, heart, and determination,” Lara explains.
Lara encourages everyone, young and old, to join Leon and the Wykeham Collegiate swimmers in giving back to a cause that truly matters.
To make a splash for a great cause and join the Ellie Swimming Herd for the 2026 Midmar Mile, email Lara at info@kpca.co.za. Please note that Ellie’s fundraising is separate from the entry fee.
Sources: Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Action Group
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