Gauteng Para swimmers associated with the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund (Jumping Kids) produced some solid performances at the 2024 Toyota SASAPD National Championships (21-25 March) in Bloemfontein, bringing home 15 medals for the province between them.

Pretoria Boys High School Grade 8 learner, William Le Roux ended on the top of the points with 128 in total for Gauteng after winning three gold, and four silver medals in the male under-14 division.

Willaim has been associated with the Jumping Kids charity for more than a decade.

He continues to be an excellent role model and example of what is possible for children living with limb loss when they have access to quality prosthetic equipment, support, and inclusive opportunities in school and sport.

In 2023, Willaim was invited to represent South Africa at two galas and a training camp in Italy. He aims to represent South Africa in swimming at the Paralympic Games in the future.

In the senior male division, Hope School’s Moeketsi Adams added one gold, one silver and one bronze medal to the mix. His time of 04:14.95 in the men’s senior 200m Butterfly Multi-class event is a new South African record in his S5 division.

Grade 12 learner, Lesego Mela added a further four bronze medals for Gauteng producing personal best performances along the way in women’s senior swimming.

In the under-14 male division, Nhlakanipho Mabaso, from Ithembelihle LSEN School in Germiston, achieved a bronze medal for Gauteng at his first swimming appearance at national level. Apart from doing well at his fist national swim meet, Nhlakanipho is doing exceptionally well at school with remarkable results in math and science.

“Seeing these kids take on the water without prosthetic assistance and achieve the results they achieve is extraordinary. The endurance level is at a max and it is incredible to see them participate in multiple swimming events over the course of two days at that level,” comments Michael Stevens, the Director of Jumping Kids.

Together, Jumping Kids associated Para swimmers added four gold, five silver and six bronze medals for Gauteng and helped the province achieve overall top spot at the event. We look forward to seeing the dedication play out at the 2025 edition of the Championships that will be hosted by the Eastern Cape next March.

Next up, selected swimmers associated with Mandeville Disability Swimming (MDS); home to the largest and strongest squad of disability swimmers in South Africa which is managed by Paralympian, Tadhg Slattery; went on to participate at the National Schools Swimming Championships where they added further accolades for Gauteng.

“We aim to work more closely with Tadhg and his team to help ensure the club’s talented Para swimmers get the best opportunities to develop their skills. It is all a part of our Para sports development plans for the year,” concludes Stevens.