SAVING THE PRISTINE WILD COAST
Experienced free diver, Olivia Jones Symcox, (pictured above) is among a growing number of people and organisations supporting a 22km along a stretch of the Wild Coast earmarked for heavy minerals mining. The Wild Swim takes place between April 26 and May 2 and aims to raise R250,000 for eco-tourism in the area and associated marine conservation and environmental journalism training initiatives. Photo: Andrew Woodburn
After raising more than R4 million for various charities at the 2019 aQuellé Midmar Mile, the 8 Mile Club is venturing into wilder waters.
Assisted by Roving Reporters and other supporting partners, the 8 Mile Club is arranging a pilot swim along a 22 km stretch of the Wild Coast earmarked for heavy minerals mining by an Australian mining company.
This stretch of coastline falls within the Pondoland Marine Protected Area (MPA) and comprises a host of pristine estuaries and unique coastal habitats – home to many people whose lives could be adversely affected by heavy minerals mining if it goes ahead as planned.
MISSION
The mission of The Wild Swim is to raise R250,000 for eco-tourism in the area and marine conservation initiatives within the Pondoland MPA.
The fundraising campaign is being driven by the Kydrin Foundation in association with the 8 Mile Club.
On reaching our target of R250,000, the Kydrin Foundation shall distribute these funds as follows
- Africa!Ignite and Sustaining The Wild Coast (eco-tourism): R125,000;
- WildOceans and the Pondoland Marine Protected Area (marine conservation): R62,500
- Roving Reporters (environmental journalism training): R62,500
Total: R250,000
8 Mile Club
Co-founded by Stan Kozlowski and Mervyn Bremner, the 8 Mile Club has raised more than R12 million for various charities since its inception in 2004. Beneficiaries have included the WildTrust (formerly Wildlands Conservation Trust), the Childhood Cancer Association (CHOC), CANSA, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the Dusi-Umngeni Conservancy Trust (DUCT), the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Trust, PinkDrive, and Singakwenza – an early childhood education programme.
Click here to read why these legendary legendary charity swimmers have signed up for The Wild Swim to raise funds for eco-tourism on the Wild Coast and associated marine conservation and environmental journalism initiatives.
The Wild Swimmers
The Wild Swim will take place over five days from 26 April, coinciding with Freedom Day and Workers’ Day. For safety reasons the pilot swim has been restricted to eight open water swimmers who will be accompanied by four safety kayakers, two safety boats, a jet ski and a small pod of experienced Ocean Guardian divers equipped with Shark shields. Associated aerial surveillance and HD drone footage is to be provided by renowned adventure sports cameraman and safety officer, Gordon Date.
The eight pioneering swimmers venturing into these relatively uncharted waters are:
Tony Sellmeyer, former Marathon runner turned open water endurance swimmer and veteran of more than 50 Robben Island Crossings
Andrew Chin, one of five South African swimmers who were first in the world to swim around the Icy Waters of Cape Horn
Mike Loewe, the night news editor at Daily Dispatch.
Brad Ray, the founder of the Kydrin Foundation.
Mervyn Bremner, co-founder of the 8 Mile Club.
Marcelle Webber, aka Splash, a renowned South African sprint and long distance swimmer.
Craig Bishop, a Cape Town based journalist keen to also tackle the Robben Island Channel Swim.
Stan Kozlowski, founder of the 8 Mile Club.
Abigail Ray, a former East Coast dee-jay who traded in a life behind the mic for swimming costumes, caps & swimming flippers.
Fred Kockott, the founding director of Roving Reporters, who sparked this all.
+3 reserve swimmers (to be announced)
To support The Wild Swimmers fundraising drive DONATE HERE.
Fundraising partners
The following organisations, groups and friends and clubs are supporting The Wild Swimmers fundraising drive.
Fundraising target: R50,000
DONATE HERE
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Wild Friends is an alliance of people straddling several organisations that support the work of the WildTrust and its marine conservation arm, WildOceans. This includes the Ocean Stewards programme which helps train young marine scientists. Professor George Branch, author of Living Shores and co-author of Two Oceans: a Field Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa, rates the Ocean Stewards programme as one of the most dynamic marine conservation initiatives to have emerged in South Africa. “It offers a wonderful blend of practical, hands-one experience, training in modern survey methods, and the challenge to think for oneself, as well as the joyous personal friendships that breach barriers across age, race and language.” – Professor George Branch. Read: Beach bum extraordinaire inspires young marine scientists.
Fundraising target: R30,000
DONATE HERE
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Friends of Med-Evac
Founded in 2005, and based in Port Shepstone, Med-Evac, is an accredited and highly skilled emergency rescue service is based in Port Shepstone. As a co-sponsor of The Wild Swim, Med-Evac is providing two safety boats and crew, and only charging for petrol and transport costs. Med-Evac has also pledged to support the The Wild Swim fundraising drive by soliciting donations from friends and associates in the medical fraternity, including doctors, pharmacists and emergency rescue services personnel. For further information about Med-Evac, contact Glen Preston on 071 624 5561, email Glen@medevac.co.za
Fundraising target: R20,000
DONATE HERE
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Africa!Ignite
Africa!Ignite is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s leading rural development agencies. It uses it extensive rural footprint to partner with communities, especially woman and youths, so that they can participate fairly in the economy and society and make their voices heard. Africa!Ignite is extending its footprint to the Wild Coast, and as a co-beneficiary of The Wild Swim, is co-sponsoring the costs accommodating The Wild Swimmers and safety crew at three home stays along the 22 km stretch of the Wild Coast earmarked by heavy minerals mining. Money raised for Africa!Ignite through the Wild Swim will be used to support Sustaining the Wild Coast in upgrading facilities at these eco-friendly home stays. For further information about Africa!Ignite contact CEO Wilna Botha, on 082 828 4994, email wilna@africaignite.co.za or visit their website at www.africaignite.co.za
Fundraising target: R15,000
DONATE HERE
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Sustaining the Wild Coast
Sustaining the Wild Coast works with the Amadiba community to grow tourism and agriculture as sustainable alternatives to mining, and to protect the Pondoland Centre of Endemism and rich cultural heritage of the Amadiba area. As one of the beneficiaries of The Wild Swim, SWC is co-sponsoring the costs of accommodating the Wild Swimmers and safety crew at three home stays along the route. Funds raised for SWC through The Wild Swim will be used to support existing tourism initiatives and develop new eco-tourism ventures in the Amadiba area.
Fundraising target: R15,000
DONATE HERE
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Architects Collaborative
Architects & Urban Designers, Architects Collaborative (est 1986) were the first to pledge R5000 towards the Wild Swim. They have been involved in a number of urban regeneration projects in Durban and are passionately supportive of environmental issues. “The plan comes together,” said co-founder Yusuf Patel in pledging R1,000 within minutes of this fundraising drive going live. “We draw the first line!” For further information about the Architects Collaborative contact Yusuf on 082 786 3707, email yusuf@accc.co.za.
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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E’Yako Green is a creative and innovative small business that is passionate about supporting sustainability in South Africa through the creation of local jobs and the upcycling of waste into functional products. Our core work is to assist other businesses, conferences and events to meet their sustainability targets by supplying green products made from end of campaign advertising billboards and banners. E’Yako Green is excited to be a part of this fundraising drive and shall also provide the Wild Swimmers and safety crew with funky E’Yako Green bags. or more information about E’Yako Green, contact Carey on 072 180 5401, email info@eyako.co.za.
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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Wavescape is a South African company in operation since 1998. It publishes www.wavescape.co.za, a surf forecasting and coastal lifestyle website, providing marine forecasts to the surf industry and the public. It also runs the Wavescapes Surf Film Festival, which screens the world’s best surfing and ocean conservation films at outdoor and indoor locations in Durban and Cape Town. Wavescapes’s coastal forecasting model “Wavescape Ocean Watch” is the first of its kind in SA. In supporting The Wild Swim, Wavescape shall provide the Wild Swimmers and the safety crew with detailed forecasts in the week leading up to the swim enabling us to predict the best swimming days over the window period, April 26 – May 2. For more information about Wavescape contact Steve Pike, aka Spike on 082 449 2338, email spike@wavescape.co.za
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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Nestled on South Africa’s Wild Coast, Mtentu Lodge is perfectly situated to provide an escape from the rat race while not being too isolated. Just a 24km beach hike/cycle or 65km drive from The Wild Coast Sun lies the untamed paradise of Mtentu, certainly one of the most wondrous Wild Coast destinations. If you’re looking for the adventure of a lifetime, or just the chance to breathe in the fresh air of the magnificent Wild Coast, you will find it all here. As an eco-lodge owned in partnership with the local Amadiba Community, a percentage of turnover goes directly back to the community. For more information about Mtentu Lodge, contact Russel Hartshorne on 083 805 3356, email mtentulodge@gmail.com
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” These words from William Shakespeare represent what Sunumbra is about, enabling people to spend time in the sun without fear of scorching their skin. Sunumbra sunscreens are made from plant extracts. Besides being free of toxic chemicals, fully natural, and offering a broad-spectrum of protection, Sunumbra products also include powerful antioxidants to boost immunity against skin cancer. In supporting the Wild Swim, Sunumbra is providing sunscreen to all the Wild Swimmers and safety crew. For more information about Sunumbra, contact Sue Ingram, the CEO of Natural Suncare at sue@natural-suncare.com or Tocara Skin & Body Science, Tel: +27(0)21 702 3617 | info@tocara4.co.za www.tocara4.co.za
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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Maritime Friends
The maritime industry, and the boating and yachting world in South Africa comprises a diverse range of people with a deep connection to the sea and also suppportive of this bid to save the pristine Wild Coast.
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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Friends Abroad
Also pledging support for The Wild Swim are all our friends, colleagues and associates living in all far corners of the world, in particular those who have experienced the magic of the Wild Coast – and of course, those who plan to one day.
Fundraising target: R5,000
DONATE HERE
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Amadiba Friends
Amadiba friends includes people all over South Africa with a deep appreciation for the natural splendour of the Wild Coast and its people. Championing the fundraising on this page are Sinegugu Zukulu, a programme manager at Conservation South Africa, Siyabonga Ndovela, the owner of a homestay near the Mtentu estuary, John Costello, co-author of Mkambati and the Wild Coast, and Natalie Abbot of Clear Water Trails. Donors to this page shall be entered into a raffle with the following prizes to be won
- a signed copy of Mkambati and the Wild Coast
- a framed and mounted print of any one of the ten photographs below from John Costello.
Fundraising target: R10,000
DONATE HERE
John Costello’s photos still to be uploaded
