The first-ever Ellie Swim successfully raised change-making funds set to help community organisation Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Action Group care for the city!
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (13 February 2025) — As always, the Midmar Mile was a hub of activity as swimmers united to tackle the world’s largest open-water swimming event fuelled with enthusiasm, personal goals, and, for some, change-making agendas. Of the latter were different charity and community-focused teams, among them those undertaking the first-ever Ellie Swim!
An initiative led by community-focused non-profit Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Action Group (KPCA), the Ellie Swim offered those determined to uplift Pietermaritzburg (AKA the place of Elephants) a chance to fun raise by taking a crack at the Mile. This, in an effort to secure funds that’ll make the city cleaner, neater, and a better place for all who call it home.
In a big moment for the young organisation, the Ellie Swim was a wonderful success, raising R30,000 as reported by the Witness.
This is a remarkable feat for an organisation that has only been around for little over a year. However, despite its youth, KPCA has already made many notches of change across numerous spheres of Pietermaritzburg—from environmental education through the Create an Ellie and Fill His Belly school initiative to active clean-ups and big projects like revitalising the iconic Chief Albert Luthuli Bridge.
“Our call has been for Pietermaritzburg to rise and shine. It’s just wonderful to see our city waking up,” reflected Executive Director Lara Edmonds on the organisation’s first birthday.
PMB local yourself? You can join the Ellie Movement, show your support to KPCA and keep up with their efforts, here.
Sources: KPCA Group
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 