CHARITIES
Swimming for a Great Cause
Over the years, the aQuellé Midmar Mile has raised millions of rands for a variety of deserving
charities. In fact, the charity aspect has become an integral part of the event. Here are some of the
phenomenal organisations that will benefit from this year’s race.
PinkDrive SINGAKWENZA
PinkDrive NPC, a health sector NGO, was founded in 2009 by Noelene Kotschan
on the premise that “Early detection will help prolong a life”. PinkDrive’s cardinal
purpose is to contribute meaningfully towards preventing as many people as it can,
from succumbing to breast, cervical, prostate and testicular cancer. Its primary
focus is on citizens without access to reasonable care for these conditions, and
who reside in areas where health services do not reach. SINGAKWENZA – meaning ‘We can do it’ in isiZulu – is a KwaZulu-Natal-based
organisation that trains practitioners, parents and caregivers at a grassroots level
to provide fun, educational activities that enable young children to learn through
play, supported by resources made solely from recycling. In addition to a two-year
training and mentorship programme for practitioners in rural and underprivileged
crèches, the charity organisation also hosts workshops throughout Southern Africa
that teach adults about the importance of stimulation in the early years, and how to
make their own toys and teaching resources by using household packaging that is
usually thrown away.
It recognises that treatable cancers receiving even the basic levels of care, could
translate into varying lengths of extended life for the afflicted, when detected and
treated early. Its posture is ostensibly a promoter of health awareness in general,
and specifically health education and heightening awareness of gender-related
cancers in South Africa.
Chad le Clos Foundation
Celebrated 2012 Olympic
champion Chad le Clos launched
his foundation in partnership with
the aQuellé Midmar Mile in 2018.
The Chad Le Clos Foundation
seeks to raise funds to advance
the development of swimming
within South Africa.
Le Clos has his sights set on
further Olympic glory in Tokyo
2020, with four Olympic medals
in his trophy cabinet already. After
becoming the most successful
Commonwealth Games swimmer
of all time in 2018, with 17 Games
medals to his name, Le Clos is
looking to build a future around
his global success that will
benefit others and the sport in
general.
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aQuellé Midmar Mile | Worlds Largest Open Water Swim
SINGAKWENZA wants to highlight the importance of early childhood development,
especially for those children under the age of five, who are at a critical time in the
development of their brain potential. The key is to be able to provide children with
many different play activities. A child will learn the same skills with a rope made
from plastic bags as they would with one from a shop. It is the availability of a
variety of toys that is important, not how much they cost.
SINGAKWENZA is a fully registered Non Profit Company, Public Benefit
Organisation, Non Profit Organisation and Level 1 B-BBEE supplier. For more
information, see www.singakwenza.co.za or contact [email protected].