With summer now here and hot days ahead, many community members will be making use of the Edenvale public swimming pool.
With this is mind, it is reassuring to know that three people will be watching over residents who make use of the pool.
These three people are the lifesavers, who will watch over and protect residents while they have fun.
The three life savers for Edenvale are Lerato Mdlalose, Anwar Khan and Zola Phahla.
Lerato, who has been a lifesaver for the past seven years both in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, said as a young child growing up she loved to take part in swimming galas.
“I learnt how to swim when I was growing up in Soweto. After school, my friend and I would go to the Senaoane swimming school,” said Lerato.
“I was 17 when I became a lifesaver. I started as a volunteer and then went on a course,” said Lerato.
Although Lerato enjoys swimming, she also plays other sports which includes soccer and netball.
Lerato said her favourite strokes were freestyle, backstroke and breast stroke.
“Sport is very important to me,” said Lerato.
She said through her years as a lifesaver she has had no major challenges.
“I have had no drownings while I have been on duty. I make sure everyone follows the rules,” said Lerato.
Lerato said people must not drink when they come to the pool and they must know their limits when they get into the pool.
Anwar, who has been a lifesaver since the 1980s, said he began when he was 20 years old.
“I used to work for the Johannesburg Council but after a few years I left and decided to start my own pool business,” said Anwar.
Anwar said he returned to lifesaving after his wife persuaded him to take a job vacancy for a lifeguard.
“I was enthusiastic and enjoyed learning new information so that I could put it into practice,” said Anwar.
As foreman/superintendent of the Edenvale pool, Anwar makes sure his team is doing the best they can.
He began working at the Edenvale public pool in 2015.
“I try to encourage the lifesavers to believe that they are professional. By doing this, the way the lifesavers work becomes better,” said Anwar.
He said as a lifesaver there are many responsibilities which include:
- Lifesaving.
- Hygiene of the pool and the change rooms.
- Maintenance.
- Enforcing the rules of the pool.
- “Lifesavers make sure that everything at the pool is up and running,” said Anwar.
“An important thing to remember, as a swimmer and as a lifesaver, is that panic kills. People must remain calm and not panic,” said Anwar.
Anwar said before he retires he want to improve the knowledge and skills of the lifesavers he works with.
Zola has been a lifesaver for the past two years and is working temporarily at the Edenvale public pool while the Olifantsfontein pool is being maintained.
She became involved with lifesaving while living in KwaZulu-Natal.
“I had always wanted to swim but my mother felt strongly against it. My mother was protective and worried about me,” said Zola.
In 2014, Zola learnt how to swim in order to take part in a lifesaving course.
“I learnt how to swim in a month. It was a dream of mine to be a beach lifesaver,” said Zola.
Zola said she came to JHB in order to do her scuba course.
“I love the water and interacting with new people. As a lifesaver you make friends with the community,” said Zola.
Watch: Lifesaver provides safety tips
Also read: Keep children safe near water
