IN a bid to teach the sport of swimming – essential in northern KZN where summer is virtually all year round – the Umfolozi Country Club urges Mtubatuba residents and local schools to consider joining its pool group.
Abandoned years ago, but brought up to impeccable swimming standards by country club members, the club’s 25m pool is maintained solely through membership fees.
The pool was built in the 1970s and learners of Mtubatuba Primary School would walk to the pool for swimming lessons and galas.
An oasis in rural Zululand, the presence of this swimming pool means learning to swim – an essential skill for all – is readily available for the community.
With no municipal funding, maintaining the swimming pool has been a costly affair, costing club members more than R5 000 per month to maintain.
Membership fees from the 50 active members do not cover pool maintenance costs for the year, so it is essential that membership numbers increase.
Wendy Cook, who is passionate about swimming and water safety, offers swim training at the pool on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while Ashleigh Gilbert coaches babies and toddlers on Thursday afternoons.
‘Water safety in our country, and especially in our area, is of vital importance and we are calling on everyone in the uMkhanyakude district, especially schools, to get on board to keep this pool going,’ said Charmaine Goncalves, who runs the pool group membership.
‘We appeal to the community to support the pool and to companies who could possibly sponsor the upkeep.’
For those interested in sponsoring or joining the pool group, Charmaine can be contacted on 083 6384419 or Candy on 083 666 1981.
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