BLIND but fearless, surfing champion Alwande Mthembu is taking on a new challenge next month: the 1-Mile Oceans 8 Charity Swim at Vetch’s Beach in Durban.
She’s been training hard for the event and says her coach has been “killing” her arms since day one, as she prepares to help raise money for charities across KwaZulu-Natal.
Despite being visually impaired after an incubator light affected her sight as a baby, Mthembu who lives in Ntuzuma, has never backed down from a challenge, even trying out soccer and cricket though she couldn't see the ball. She only has limited vision in her left eye.
“What I'd like to pass on to others living with a disability like mine, or any other form, is to believe in yourself because you can do anything. I mean, I walk by faith and that's literal. If I can do it, you can. You just need to put your mind to it.”
Kathryn Powell is sponsoring Alwande Mthembu to participate in the Oceans 8 challenge to raise money for charity.
Image: Supplied
The University of Zululand graduate, who studied Drama, Theatre and Performance, is a professional dancer and is rehearsing for a production at the Playhouse Theatre next month.
Her love for the ocean started during her matric year at the Open Air School in 2022 when she discovered adaptive surfing through Made for More, an NPO that uses sport as a platform to empower individuals with disabilities.
That same year, Mthembu came second in a surfing competition in KZN and went on to clinch gold at the SA Surf Champs for three consecutive years. She was also selected to represent the country at the ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship, but financial constraints prevented her from competing.
When Mthembu saw Kathryn Powell’s call for someone to represent her family in Oceans 8, she took the plunge.
“I’ve loved watersports all my life, I surf as well, so I thought, let me give swimming another shot.”
Powell had planned to participate but could not because of ongoing health issues and realised she could still make a contribution to Oceans 8 by gifting her entry to someone who might never have had the opportunity.
In 2022, while living in the Sabi Sabi Nature Reserve, she was attacked by a leopard. She was airlifted to hospital and taken into theatre for 11 hours as doctors battled to save her life.
When Powell came out of an induced coma, she couldn't move her left leg or right arm, and doctors warned that she might never be able to “walk properly” again. Because of severe nerve damage, she had nine more operations and spent 86 days in hospital while also fighting off a life-threatening spinal infection.
Although Powell relearned how to walk, write, and live independently again, she could not take part in Oceans 8 this year due to ongoing health challenges. When she made a call for someone to represent her family in the event, Mthembu agreed.
Powell says Oceans 8 is much more than just a swim.“It gave us an outlet to pour our energy back into the community that supported us during our hardest days. This is not just about swimming but creating opportunities, lifting others up, and being part of something bigger than yourself.”
Through Mthembu, Powell hopes to raise R11 000 for charity.
Event spokesperson Nicci Carvalho said she hoped that Powell and Mthembu would inspire others to take up the challenge to swim or sponsor swimmers.“These are two inspirational women who have been brought together by an act of kindness, with the purpose of raising funds for our local charities.”
Mthembu told the Independent on Saturday that she hoped many people would come to the beach and support the event.“I will not see you, but you will definitely see me because I won't be wearing my glasses. So, please, you can scream my name or come a little bit closer if you want me to see you."
The Oceans 8 Charity Swim was founded by charities, for charities, and to date has already raised over R3 million to support organisations across the province. Swimmers can choose to do 1-mile or up to 4-miles in the ocean to help raise funds for the event, which takes place from 23–25 May.
You can support Kathryn’s campaign at: https://www.givengain.com/project/kathryn-raising-funds-for-oceans-8-charity-swim-npc-121310