From survival to self-belief, Kathryn Powell and Alwande Mthembu’s journeys come together in a moment of courage and kindness at the Oceans 8 Charity Swim.
Durban, South Africa (01 April 2026) – Some of the most powerful stories from our communities start with people choosing to lift each other up. At this year’s Oceans 8 Charity Swim, set to take place at Vetch’s Beach in May, two South African women are looking to uplift others.
At the centre of it all is 22-year-old Alwande Mthembu, who will be taking on the 1-Mile swim for the very first time. This is an opportunity made possible through an act of kindness from Kathryn Powell, who chose to pass on her entry and, in doing so, change someone else’s journey.
For Kathryn, that decision carries deep meaning. Her life changed dramatically in 2022 after surviving a devastating leopard attack while living in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. What followed was a long and difficult road. Multiple surgeries and months in hospital. Through it all, she found strength in the water. Open water swimming became a way to heal, to rebuild, and to reconnect with purpose. Although ongoing health challenges have kept her from competing this year, she found another way to be part of something bigger.
“Oceans 8 brought so much more than just a swim,” she shares. “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.”
Living with a visual impairment, Alwande has no sight in one eye and limited vision in the other. But her story is about everything she continues to achieve.
“I struggled in my early years because I didn’t fully believe in myself,” she says. “But now, the confidence I have is beyond compare. Any chance I get to try something new, I take it.”
She also made waves in adaptive surfing, quickly rising through the ranks to become a national champion and earn international selection.
Now, she’s stepping into open water, ready to embrace a completely new challenge.
“I am out of words for this opportunity,” she says. “It’s a privilege and an honour to represent Kathryn and her family. I’m so excited to swim, to grow, and to create lasting connections. I am truly grateful.”
As the Oceans 8 Charity Swim approaches, we are inspired by how important it is to take second chances.
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Sources: Supplied
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