How Oceans 8 Charity Swim Has Impacted KZN Charity Efforts Over the Years

Since its inception in 2023, the Oceans 8 Charity Swim has become a powerful fundraising platform that unites swimmers in support of local charities. Taking place at Vetch’s Beach at the Durban Undersea Club on 23rd & 24th (25th) May 2026, this year’s event aims to build on this significant legacy with even more funds raised.

“Oceans 8 was created by charities, for charities, in response to a very real funding crisis in the non-profit sector,” explains Nicci Carvalho, Oceans 8 event spokesperson. “With over 280,000 NPOs and countless informal community initiatives, many charities are working to secure support from a pool of funding that is limited and often inconsistent.

“Increasing economic pressure and donor fatigue mean that traditional fundraising methods are no longer enough. There was a clear need for innovative, engaging ways to raise both funds and awareness.”

The Solution? The Oceans 8 Charity Swim

Started just 3 years ago by 4 founding charities – Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust, the National Sea Rescue Institute, Project Rhino, and Singakwenza Early Childhood Education – Oceans 8 Charity Swim aimed to create a more sustainable and engaging way to raise funds in a highly competitive, non-profit landscape.

“What we’ve witnessed has been extraordinary. People are excited to participate in this unique sporting event, but they’re just as committed to the causes as well,” says Nicci. “Through funds raised, they’re contributing directly to the life-changing work being done by these organisations.”

The charity model was designed to share the impact, with every participant driven by this shared purpose. Swimmers taking part in the longer distance events (8-mile and 16-mile) select one of the founding four charities and raise funds directly for them. Every two years, 10 invitational charities are chosen, with funds raised in the shorter distance events (1-mile and 4-mile) shared equally among these organisations.

“This approach allows us to support a wider network of charities through funding and valuable exposure, while still maintaining focused support for our founding partners,” adds Nicci. “To date, the event has raised more than R3 million, supporting several charities working across conservation, environmental protection, early childhood development, wildlife rescue and emergency response.”

2026 Beneficiary Charities and Their Impact

1. Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT)

Purpose: River rehabilitation, water quality monitoring, invasive plant removal
Amounts Raised: R38 458,11 in 2023 | R50,000 in 2024 | R68,000 in 2025

Funding Supported:

• Enviro Champs – teams of locals from across Msunduzi cleaning natural spaces.
• Community education, illegal dumping clean-ups, and river health monitoring.
• Education and awareness initiatives in collaboration with local communities.

2. National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)

Purpose: Volunteer-led lifesaving rescue operations along SA coastline
Amounts Raised: R172 247,25 in 2023 | R151,420 in 2024 | R 250,000 in 2025

Funded Supported:

• NSRI Cape Vidal satellite station equipment.
• NSRI Ballito base development and flood response readiness.
• NSRI Durban offshore rescue capability and operational resilience.

3. Project Rhino

Purpose: Coordinated anti-poaching initiatives across KZN reserves
Amounts Raised: R154 595.85 (2023) | R140,215 (2024) | R242,416 (2025)

Funding Supported:

• K9 training, helicopter operations and dehorning programmes.
• Protection of rhino populations in Pongola and Hluhluwe corridors.
• Strengthened ranger training and advanced detection operations.

4. Singakwenza Early Childhood Education

Purpose: Low-cost, play-based early learning programmes using recycled materials
Amounts Raised: R294 252,24 (2023) | R320,042 (2024) | R270,445 (2025)

Funding Supported:

• Expanded reach through Johannesburg programme rollout.
• Play@Home with Singakwenza app translated into isiZulu.
• Enhanced development and educational accessibility tools.

Note: 73% of children in the programme reached developmental benchmarks vs 30.6% provincial average!

1- and 4-Mile Invitational Charities for 2026

• CROW (Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife): Wildlife rehabilitation and release programmes
• Game Rangers’ Association of South Africa: Ranger training, welfare and conservation support
• IPSS Search and Rescue: Emergency response and disaster rescue services
• Makabongwe Pre-School: Early learning access in underserved communities
• Made for More: Adaptive sport, inclusion and youth empowerment
• Nazareth House Berea: Residential care and social support
• Pietermaritzburg Children’s Home: Safe housing and developmental support for children
• Rise Against Hunger Africa: Food security and emergency nutrition programmes
• Sport for Lives: Youth empowerment through sport participation
• Umduduzi – Hospice Care for Children: Paediatric palliative care and family support

“While the fundraising gains are significant and clearly have a far-reaching impact on our communities and environment, it’s the collective action that truly drives this,” concludes Nicci. “Swimmers, schools, sponsors and volunteers all contribute to a chain of impact that reaches far beyond this event. Every mile swum on the day is bringing about real-world change.”

Join Oceans 8 2026 to Make an Impact!

This year’s 4-Mile, 8-Mile, and 16-Mile events are full, but there is still space to enter the 1-Mile event and Interschools Challenge:

• 1 Mile Event: Choose one of 4 events on Day 1 or Day 2. Cost: R200 per person + minimum R800 raised for invitational charities. This is accessible, achievable, and impactful – a perfect way for swimmers of all levels to get involved and make a difference!
• Interschools Challenge: Schools are encouraged to enter pupils across all distances, with the 1-Mile swim an ideal starting point. Participants can earn community service hours while competing for top honours – including trophies for the most swimmers and highest funds raised.

Enter Now or Keep Updated!

• To enter: Visit www.oceans8swim.co.za.
• For more information or to learn about partnership opportunities: Contact info@oceans8swim.co.za.
• Keep updated: Follow @oceans8_charityswim on Instagram and oceans8swim on Facebook.

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

Author: Agnes Matladi from Olivia Jones Communications on behalf of Ocean 8.

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