Soweto Swim School Partners with Decorated US Paralympian Jamal Hill and Swim Up Hill Foundation to Scale Swimming Access Across South African Townships
This historic global partnership aims to teach 1 million swimmers annually
SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA (May 19, 2026) – Soweto Swim School, the first privately owned swimming facility in Soweto, today announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Los Angeles-based Swim Up Hill Foundation to dramatically expand swimming access and water safety education across South African townships. This collaboration will directly address the critical need for water safety skills in communities where drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death.
Drowning remains a silent epidemic, a leading cause of injury and death in children under the age of 5. Their curiosity, lack of water awareness, and limited ability to self-rescue make them particularly vulnerable. The NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) annual report estimates approx 1,477 drownings each year. We also note that many cases of drowning are not reported, especially in townships.
The partnership represents a significant step toward the Swim Up Hill Foundation's ambitious goal of teaching one million people annually how to swim worldwide, while positioning both organizations as key partners in Sub-Saharan Africa's sports development ecosystem.
Founded by local entrepreneurs and advocates for inclusive sport, Tumi and Moses Masekela, Soweto Swim School has spent the past five years pioneering accessible, affordable swimming education in the township through its heated indoor facility. It’s partnership with the Swim Up Hill Foundation will accelerate this impact, enabling the development of two additional facilities set to open in 2026 and 2027, with an ambitious goal of reaching 10,000 learners across South Africa 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. "Many township children, including those on the autism spectrum, lack access to safe swimming facilities. 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 while building stronger South Africa-USA relations through the transformative power of sport."
The Swim Up Hill Foundation, led by decorated US Paralympian and LA28 athlete ambassador, Jamal Hill, who brings proven expertise in culturally relevant swim instruction designed specifically for underserved communities. The foundation's innovative methodology has successfully addressed the critical need for water safety education among the 50 million low-to-middle-income people of color globally who cannot swim and face extreme drowning risk.
"Water doesn't discriminate, but access to swimming education often does," said Jamal Hill, Founder and CEO of Swim Up Hill Foundation. "Our partnership with Soweto Swim School exemplifies the unifying power of sport and our shared commitment to equity and safety. As we approach LA 2028, this collaboration demonstrates how the power of sport can bridge continents and create lasting change. 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 seeking funding to support the construction of two new swimming facilities and to accelerate their growth ambitions across Africa, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the development of a generation of confident young swimmers and Olympic/Paralympic hopefuls.
About Swim Up Hill Foundation
Based in Los Angeles and led by decorated Paralympian, Founder and CEO Jamal Hill, the Swim Up Hill Foundation provides innovative, culturally relevant swim instruction to the 50 million low- to middle-income people of color in the U.S. and around the world who don't know how to swim and are at extreme risk of drowning. Its mission is to teach 1 million people annually to swim through the Swim Up Hill method, an innovative, accessible, and rapid swim education program that empowers individuals, prevents drowning, and promotes equity in marginalized communities.
To learn more, visit https://www.swimuphill.org/
About Soweto Swim School
Founded by Tumi and Moses Masekela, Soweto Swim School is the first privately owned swim school in Soweto, South Africa, on a mission to tackle one of the country’s most urgent yet overlooked challenges: drowning and lack of access to safe swimming education in township communities.
Through its unique heated indoor facility, the school delivers affordable, high-impact swimming and water safety programs to children who would otherwise have no access to formal instruction. More than a swim school, it is a proven community hub—building confidence, improving school engagement, and creating safe, structured environments where young people can thrive.
Now poised for scale, Soweto Swim School is expanding its model to reach thousands more. With the right strategic partners, the organization aims to develop additional facilities, dramatically increase access, and establish a competitive pipeline for talented swimmers to progress to provincial, national, and ultimately Olympic and Paralympic levels.
This is not just an investment in sport; it is an investment in saving lives, unlocking potential, and building safer, more resilient communities.
Learn more: https://sowetoswimschool.co.za/
Contact:
South Africa - Tumi Masekela
+27 82 552 5453
USA - Ryan Bowling
+1 650 245 7945
