Ntobeko tackles Midmar for CHOC

NTOBEKO Zama, programmes co-ordinator at the Childhood Haematology and Oncology Clinics (CHOC) in Durban, will be taking on her very first aQuellé Midmar Mile swim to raise money for the organisation.

Ntobeko said she is very nervous about her swim, as she is what she calls an average swimmer, and said her decision to swim in the event this year was a spontaneous one.

“I was in a meeting with Iris Varty from The Cows and she mentioned it would be nice if some of the staff swam for The Cows in the Midmar Mile, and spontaneously, I said I would do it! A few days later I started to worry about what I had agreed to do, but now I’ve come to terms with it!” she said, knowing she is doing it for a good cause.

The 24-year-old is not a stranger to exercise and keeps fit by running and going to gym, but she said she hasn’t swum much since high school, and she has had to start going back to swimming to practice for the event. She has received a lot of advice from people on how to tackle the mile, and had to meditate on it.

“I’m fit, but not in the water, where you can’t just stop going. I’m trying my best to train before and after work, and I have been told that I must just do the doggy paddle and float a bit during the event, so I’m calming down a bit!” she said.

Ntobeko is fundraising for the swim, along with her friend who has decided to join her in the event.

“My friend saw on Instagram that I was doing the Midmar Mile and said she would do it with me! Fundraising is going okay and a few people have donated so far. We also dressed up in our cow costumes, took a collection tin and went to Florida Road, and people were really giving,” she mentioned, adding that she feels that she will reach her target of R2 500.

She said that although she is a tad apprehensive, she knows she will have fun, and she always enjoys challenging herself. She mentioned having completed the Muddy Princess, Spar Ladies races, Totalsports runs and has recently started learning how to surf at Surf Riders at the Durban beachfront.

“I always try to be adventurous in my spare time and to enjoy life. Who knows, if I make it through the Midmar Mile on Saturday, I might consider swimming it again next year!” she said.

The Cows

AS part of their 10th anniversary celebrations, the KwaZulu-Natal herd of The Cows are targeting raising well over a quarter of a million Rand through their participation in the aQuellé Midmar Mile on 11 and 12 February.

The Cows raised R225 000 last year through pledges and personal sponsorships, and want to comfortably exceed that to kick-start their 10th year of existence.

That should be well within their reach, given that their recruitment is already 50 per cent up on their numbers that took part in the world biggest open water swim last year.

With 172 volunteers already on their books for 2017, 29 of whom are taking part in all eight events that make up the fabled 8 Miler challenge, The Cows are on track for a substantial donation to CHOC.

Once they have entered the event, each member of The Cows swimming herd is required to commit to raising at least R2 500 (R1 500 for school learners) for which they get their own distinctive Cows costume and get to spend the day at The Cows site at edge of the dam where they have access to food and drink.

Anyone interested in joining The Cows herd at the aQuellé Midmar Mile should email the Durban Daisy at durbsdaisy@thecows.co.za to make arrangements.