Elderly South African women swim for fitness.

Learning to Swim in Soweto

In the township of Soweto in South Africa, a group of older women are taking the plunge and learning to swim for the first time.

An Empowering Experience

Every week during the summer, more than 40 women gather at a public pool to face their fears of drowning and improve their health.

A Lifesaving Mission

The swimming class was launched in 2023 by Sibu Zabane, a former lifeguard who wanted to help vulnerable members of the community get fitter during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overcoming Obstacles

One of the swimmers, Gabashane Molefe, 66, initially struggled but can now swim without flotation aids, proving that it’s never too late to learn a new skill.

Reporter’s Notes

Reporting by Sisipho Skweyiya and Shaffiek Tassiem; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Alex Richardson

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