SA Navy says swimming enhances job prospects
During the SA Navy's recent recruitment drive for divers in Polokwane, a significant number of candidates were unable to pass the initial swimming test due to inadequate swimming skills.
POLOKWANE – The South African Navy (SA Navy) is urging parents to consider swimming as a valuable extracurricular activity for their children, emphasising its potential to enhance job prospects.
During the SA Navy’s recent recruitment drive for divers, Kwanele Lushaba (22) from Durban stood out as the sole candidate to successfully complete the first phase, swimming six laps in under eight minutes in a 300m pool.
This achievement highlights the importance of swimming proficiency in Navy recruitment.
In Polokwane where the recruitment took place, a significant number of candidates, both male and female, were unable to pass the initial swimming test due to inadequate swimming skills.
This trend is not unique, as last year, only one candidate from the Sekhukhune District met the swimming requirements.
Despite the disqualifications, Lt Sindiswe Maja, the Navy’s public relations officer said that many of the disqualified candidates excelled academically in subjects including science and mathematics.
She emphasised the importance of swimming skills though, particularly for candidates residing inland.
Maja explained that candidates from coastal areas often have an advantage due to early exposure to swimming and sea conditions. In contrast, inland candidates may lack access to swimming facilities, putting them at a disadvantage during recruitment.
For Lushaba, his participation in the recruitment drive was casual, as he happened to be in the city and had prior swimming experience from Durban.
Maja stressed the need for parents to enroll their children in swimming lessons from a young age, suggesting that the government should provide more community swimming pools for those who cannot afford private facilities.
