The Swim Up Hill Foundation joins forces with Soweto Swim School to tackle drowning risks and teach one million swimmers annually across South African townships.
Soweto Swim School has announced a historic collaboration with decorated US Paralympian Jamal Hill and his Swim Up Hill Foundation, marking a transformative step in tackling drowning risks and expanding swimming education across South African townships.
This partnership is designed to teach one million swimmers annually, directly addressing the urgent need for water safety skills in communities where drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death.
The Swim Up Hill Foundation, founded by Jamal Hill, a Paralympic bronze medalist and LA28 athlete ambassador, has pioneered culturally relevant swim instruction for underserved communities worldwide. Hill’s mission is clear: “Water doesn’t discriminate, but access to swimming education often does.”
His foundation’s innovative methodology has already impacted thousands globally, and now, through this partnership, it will reach South Africa’s most vulnerable communities.
Drowning is a silent epidemic in South Africa, with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) estimating approximately 1,477 drownings annually. Many of these tragedies occur in townships where children lack access to safe swimming facilities.
Soweto Swim School, founded by local entrepreneurs Tumi and Moses Masekela, has spent the past five years pioneering affordable swimming education through its heated indoor facility. With the support of the Swim Up Hill Foundation, the school plans to expand its reach by opening two additional facilities in 2026 and 2027, aiming to teach 10,000 learners by 2027.
“This partnership goes beyond expanding access to swimming—it’s about saving lives and unlocking the full potential within our communities,” said Tumi Masekela, Co-Founder of Soweto Swim School.
“By joining forces with Jamal Hill and the Swim Up Hill Foundation, we’re not just teaching children to swim, we’re giving them confidence, keeping them engaged in school, and creating pathways to Olympic and Paralympic dreams.”
The collaboration also strengthens South Africa-USA relations, showcasing the unifying power of sport. As Hill emphasized, “Together, we’re not just teaching swimming, we’re building a global movement for inclusion, safety, and opportunity that will save lives and potentially develop the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic champions.”
The organizations are actively seeking funding to support the construction of new facilities and accelerate their growth ambitions across Africa. Beyond teaching swimming, the initiative aims to build safer, more resilient communities while creating a competitive pipeline for talented swimmers to progress to provincial, national, and international levels.
The Swim Up Hill Foundation has set an ambitious global target: teaching one million people annually to swim. This partnership with Soweto Swim School represents a critical milestone in achieving that vision, while also addressing one of South Africa’s most urgent challenges—preventing drowning among children under five, who are particularly vulnerable due to curiosity, lack of water awareness, and limited ability to self-rescue.
With its proven track record and community-driven approach, Soweto Swim School is poised to scale its impact dramatically.
The partnership with Jamal Hill and the Swim Up Hill Foundation is not just an investment in sport—it is an investment in saving lives, unlocking potential, and building stronger communities across South Africa.
