In Honour of Melissa and for Every Child Still Fighting

Krystle Stewien believes in doing something rather than just feeling sad about things.

That’s why she’ll be swimming across Midmar Dam multiple times over the next two days, with the aim of changing lives.

The Randburg marketing manager decided to take on the aQuellé Midmar Mile Eight-Mile Charity Challenge for the first time last year after hearing about how much money was raised.

This year, she will once again be representing children’s cancer charity CHOC, which aims to save lives through early detection and comprehensive support programmes for families affected by cancer.

“I’d heard about the 8 and 16 milers years ago, and honestly thought these people were crazy. Who swims those distances?” she joked. “I admired them but never thought I’d be one of them. Then I started hearing about how much money they raise for the various charities and the real difference these guys are making. That’s when I decided to put my hand up and take on the challenge.”

Stewien didn’t realise how emotional the experience would be in 2025.

“By the time I reached my eighth mile, I was crying. I stood with my feet in the water and thought about every person I had dedicated a mile to, and about their families. I prayed for those still fighting, and remembered those that we have lost. Then I got into the water and swam,” she said.

“I cried again after the final mile. I was ecstatic getting out of the water, but within minutes, the emotions just hit again. It was overwhelming, but it was so incredibly meaningful.”

Stewien’s response was an understandable one after losing a close family member to cancer seven years ago.

“I lost my sister-in-law, Melissa Geach, to cancer. She fought incredibly hard for two years, and watching that battle was horrific. The pain, the suffering, and the helplessness of seeing someone you love go through that never really leaves you. She left us devastated, leaving behind her husband and two children under the age of 10,” explained Stewien.

“She was the epitome of kindness. She loved everyone, and she was the sunshine in every room she walked into…In the chemo room, she lit up the space with her personality and helped make those long, frightening sessions a little less scary for the people around her.

“That loss is a huge part of why I do this. I swim Mile 8 in her honour,” she added.

Melissa was also sure to have been front and centre of Stewien’s mind when she took to the water this morning, joining 37 other swimmers raising funds for CHOC this year, kitted out in their famous cow-print swimsuits.

KZN Regional Manager for CHOC Agie Govender said the organisation was hoping to raise a total of R500,000 at this year’s aQuellé Midmar Mile.

“We are truly overwhelmed by the passion and dedication each swimmer brings to our programme. The truth is that children with cancer can survive if they are diagnosed early, but the heartbreaking reality is that many of our children come to us too late, and their prognosis is very poor,” she said.

“That is why every swimmer’s effort matters so deeply: by creating awareness of CHOC and the early warning signs of childhood cancer within their networks, they are helping us change lives.”

Since its launch in 2016, the aQuellé Midmar Mile Charity Challenge has raised over R22 million rand for charities across South Africa.

That is what inspired Stewien and so many others to return to the famous KwaZulu-Natal dam.

“What brought me back is knowing that what we’re doing really makes a difference. It’s not just a swim. It’s helping real people who are living through their hardest days. Knowing that I can be part of that again and do a little more than I did last year, is what pulled me back to the water,” she said.

“I managed to raise R12,150 last year, and I’m currently on R18,250 for this year. My ultimate goal is to raise a total of R100,000 for CHOC, so I guess I’m going to be back for a good few more years donning my cow cozzie.”

Online entries for the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile, which takes place from 5-8 February, have now closed. Those still wishing to enter can do so at the dam on the day but are encouraged to arrive as early as possible.