Swimming Saved Juanita’s Life, Now She’s Making a Splash to Save PMB

Photo Credit: Supplied

Once given 10 years to live as a child, an almost 40-year-old Juanita Biggs is now diving into the Midmar Mile alongside her two daughters, turning every breath into a triumph over cystic fibrosis and a gift back to the city she loves.

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (29 January 2026) – Juanita Biggs wears many hats: farmer’s wife, mother of two, CF patient, psychologist, and custodian of earth. This February, she’ll add ‘community champion’ to her list as she prepares to make a splash for Pietermaritzburg at the upcoming Midmar Mile.

Living with cystic fibrosis (CF), Juanita was once told she had a life expectancy of just 10 years. She has defied those odds, turning 40 next month and remaining committed to living life to the fullest.

“CF brings challenges every day. Managing my medications, treatments, physiotherapy, and nutrition is essential, and while it can be tiring, I feel truly blessed to have had early intervention and great medical care as a young child. Today, in adulthood, CF treatments have advanced. I am blessed to have support, excellent medical care, treatments, resources, family love, care and support that keeps me grounded,” she shares with Good Things Guy.

Juanita admits that sometimes she needs to pause, breathe, and listen to her body – challenging with her fierce heart and mind, which are driven by a refusal to give up. But over the years, she’s learned resilience isn’t about having all the answers or doing everything at once, but about taking life one step at a time, learning from setbacks, and trying again.

Although she participated in the Midmar Mile during high school, she is now excited to join again later in life, marking a milestone of a few consecutive races in the last few years.

She will be doing the open water swim alongside her two daughters, forming part of the KPCA Group’s Ellie Herd that is rallying to raise funds for the upkeep and improvement of Pietermaritzburg.

For Juanita, connecting this swim to the city’s environmental health is deeply meaningful. Her ties to the area run deep—from her days as a university student to watching her children learn to swim under coach Odette Randelhoff, to forming lasting friendships and appreciating the city’s practical conveniences.

Juanita no longer sees her body solely as a physical vessel or a measure of performance or appearance. Instead, she views it as a vessel that has carried her, blessed her with daughters, and endured many tough medical moments.

“CF has taught me that life isn’t about accolades. It’s about love, connection, purpose, and embracing each day with courage, gratitude, and joy, taking one breath at a time. I celebrate the fact that I am alive. Despite some scary medical events, I can still swim and breathe with every stroke. I live by my inner phrase: don’t just SURVIVE AND BE ALIVE.”

“This swim isn’t a statement to prove anything; it’s about joy and celebrating how far I’ve come while caring for our city through small actions. Swimming with my little miracles, being present in the moment, is a chance to share something I love with my girls and my husband, supported by their strength on the water’s edge.”