A powerful initiative is underway at Grabouw High School, fuelled by the vision of SOS Africa, to breathe life back into the school’s long-dormant swimming pool through an impactful fundraising appeal.
Grabouw, South Africa (02 April 2025) – Imagine the sun shining brightly, the sounds of children’s laughter, the splish splash of water, and whistles blowing at the start of competitive swimming gala races. This is the thrill that SOS Africa hopes to revive at Grabouw High School.
An exciting new initiative aims to raise £50,000 (R1,204,569) required to redevelop the school’s 25-metre swimming pool and reopen it to the school students and wider community later this year.
Grabouw High School’s swimming complex used to be one of its most celebrated facilities, hosting competitive swimming galas for the region’s athletes and vital swimming lessons for beginners of all ages.
However, this cherished facility fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic and vandalism, leaving a void for both students and the wider community.
According to SOS Africa, the loss of this invaluable resource has been felt both by the school, now forced to remove swimming lessons from its curriculum and the local community, currently without a public swimming pool.
But not all hope is lost – well, not if SOS Africa has anything to do with it! Through its new fundraising appeal, the inclusion of swimming lessons as part of the school timetable and seeing many children being equipped with vital swimming skills will be a part of Grabouw’s schedule once again!
“It is unthinkable that the children of Grabouw will grow up without learning how to swim. If successful, this appeal will enable generations of children to learn this vital skill. We (SOS Africa) are proud to facilitate this impactful project and cannot wait to bring it to fruition by the start of the summer term,” says Matt Crowcombe, SOS Africa CEO/Founder.
According to the organisation, the proposed renovations will include relining the pool, installing two new pumps, landscaping across the 2,000 square meter site, and installing security features to prevent future break-ins.
Once the renovations are complete, the pool will host daily swimming lessons for Grabouw students and inter-school swimming competitions. The school also intends to allow regular supervised access to children from the wider community. Surrounded by a large grass area and many trees, the pool area can also function as an outside shaded learning space for Grabouw students during the summer months.
Grabouw High School Principal, Herholdt Bezuidenhout, emphasised that the pool will not only provide our students with essential swimming skills but will also be open to learners from neighbouring schools.
“Given the alarming number of drownings occurring annually on local farms, this initiative is crucial. By teaching both children and adults to swim, we can significantly reduce these tragic incidents.
“Additionally, the pool will serve as a community swimming club, fostering a spirit of unity and promoting a healthy lifestyle for all town residents. Your sponsorship will make a profound difference in enhancing safety and well-being in our community,” adds Bezuidenhout.
SOS Africa and Grabouw High School’s collective effort hopes to bring this vital resource back and promises a brighter, safer, and more vibrant future for the community of Grabouw.
Donations can be made in the following ways:
- Donate via JustGiving Fundraising Page or BackaBuddy Fundraising Page.
- Donate via bank transfer to SOS Africa’s UK Account: SOS Africa / Bank: HSBC / Account Number: 40001589 / Sort Code: 401538.
- Donate via bank transfer to SOS Africa’s SA Account: SOS Africa / Bank: ABSA / Account Number: 9283811100 / Swift Code: 632005.
If you are donating via bank transfer, please use “Pool Appeal” as the reference.
Sources: SOS Africa
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 