Rhodes University Students Dive Into Life-Changing Swimming Lessons

Photo Credit: Rhodes University via Facebook

It’s never too late to dive into a new chapter or learn how to swim! Through the expansion of the NSRI Survival Swimming programme, students at Rhodes University are breaking personal barriers and building confidence in the pool for the very first time.

Makhanda, South Africa (30 April 2026) – It’s natural to assume that swimming lessons are mainly for children. But in South Africa, countless children from underserved communities aren’t afforded that opportunity. It is these children who grow up to be adults who really stand to benefit from a Survival Swimming programme like NSRI’s.

For many young adults, learning to swim has never been a simple or accessible opportunity. So, when NSRI expanded its programme to Rhodes University, many students were excited to grab hold of the opportunity and empower themselves.

Despite the presence of a campus swimming pool, many students have had little or no exposure to swimming lessons or water safety education, while others have always wanted to learn but never had the chance.

The Survival Swimming programme is now helping change that reality by creating a supportive pathway for students to develop essential water safety skills.

Volunteer Survival Swimming instructor Carol Mewse shared that it was important to teach adults who are unable to swim how to swim.

“Because they are then more likely to encourage their children and younger siblings to learn to swim, which will help diminish the fear of water in the community,” Carol explains.

Participants often begin their first lesson feeling uncertain, gathering near the pool edge and drawing reassurance from others who share the same nerves. Many arrive unsure of what to expect or whether they will feel comfortable in the water at all.

However, as lessons progress, small achievements begin to shift the atmosphere. Students discover they can float, breathe calmly, and move safely in the water, guided by instructors who prioritise patience and reassurance.

This was the experience of Rhodes student Hlumisa, who felt overwhelmed by anxiety when she first arrived, but soon discovered an environment where she was never rushed into activities before she felt ready.

The lessons also foster a strong sense of encouragement among participants.

“I’ve noticed a camaraderie that’s developed amongst those who have come for their lessons,” Carol says.

“The high-fiving, and smiles, and claps, and just cheering their fellow students on as they progress through the programme, it’s amazing to see.”

Interest in the programme continues to grow as more students recognise the importance of survival swimming skills. Hundreds of students have already expressed interest in future sessions, demonstrating both the demand for accessible swimming education and the programme’s positive impact.

“We have 500 students on the waiting list at Rhodes to do survival swimming, which just shows you how invested and keen the community is in this programme,” Carol reveals.

She adds that the programme’s value extends far beyond the pool:

“The impact is enormous, not just on the life skills that they learn, but going forward in their lives.”

Alongside these learner sessions, the programme is also building capacity by training new Survival Swimming instructors drawn from Rhodes University and surrounding communities, including Makhanda, Kenton-on-Sea, and Boesmansriviermond.

Instructor training includes practical assessments such as distance swims, submerged-object recovery, and buoy-based rescue techniques. This ensures instructors are equipped to teach skills that may one day help someone reach safety.

As more students gain confidence and more instructors are trained, the programme continues to strengthen water safety awareness and skills within the Rhodes community and beyond.