Port Alfred’s Jané Botha Takes on 12-Hour Swim for Sea Rescue

Photo Credit: Supplied by Andrew Ingram (NSRI)

This coming Saturday, dedicated NSRI volunteer crew member Jané Botha will take to the ocean for an extraordinary 12-hour swim, raising vital funds and spreading life-saving awareness on drowning prevention for her team at Port Alfred Station 11.

Port Alfred, South Africa (10 November 2026) – On Saturday, 14 November 2026, Port Alfred will watch one of its dedicated volunteers take on an inspiring test of endurance and heart. Jané Botha, a crew member at NSRI Station 11, is embarking on a 12-hour ocean swim to raise critical funds for her station and to shine a light on drowning prevention.

Jané’s lifesaving journey began in 2022 when she stepped up to join Station 23 Wilderness at just 16 years old. After qualifying as crew and devoting three years to rescue work, she relocated to Port Alfred in 2025 to pursue a degree in disaster management at Stenden University and joined the volunteer crew at Port Alfred, where she has proven to be a true asset.

Gerrit Cloete, NSRI Port Alfred station commander, says Jané’s attitude stands out at the station.

“Jané is one of those people whose positive attitude and enthusiasm make her a pleasure to have around. She always has a smile on her face and a kind word for those around her,” Gerrit shares.

Photo Credit: Supplied by Andrew Ingram (NSRI)

He adds that her determination revealed itself early, when she qualified as operational crew at Wilderness as a teenager.

“When she sets her mind to something, she gives it her all.”

“Jané is a valued member of our Station 11 family. Her willingness to take on such a demanding personal challenge to raise funds for the station is a reflection of her generous spirit and selfless nature. We are incredibly proud of her and fully behind her in this remarkable endeavour.”

This will be Jané’s second fundraising swim. Her first, in 2023, was a great success, and this year she decided to take on the harder challenge of the open sea.

“I wanted to do something more challenging this time,” Jané says.
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“I’m swimming to raise funds for Station 11 and to get people in Port Alfred thinking about ocean safety and drowning prevention.”

Her swim is dedicated to her late grandfather, Kiggie Botha, who died earlier this year.

“He taught me about resilience. That’s what I’ll be thinking about out there,” Jané says.

To get ready, she has been training hard, with open water swims, gym sessions, running, and strength and endurance work.

This coming Saturday, Jané will enter the water at East Beach at 6 am and swim until 6 pm. She will cross the river mouth to Kelly’s Beach and then swim back and forth behind the backline between the two beaches.

She will have a support boat with her at all times and will swim with a Pink Rescue Buoy – the NSRI’s symbol of drowning prevention, to help spread the water safety message.

Jané is asking individuals, businesses and the Port Alfred community to sponsor her by donating through her crowdfunding campaign. Every rand Jané raises goes to NSRI Port Alfred’s JetRIB fund.