East swimming brothers chase global greatness
As we are still celebrating Youth Month, two brothers from Nieuw Muckleneuk are proving that the future of South African swimming is bright.
They will be representing both South Africa and the University of Pretoria (Tuks) at the World University Games in Germany and the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia in July.
Owethu (20) and Tumelo Mahan (18) are student-athletes at Tuks.
While Owethu is pursuing a BCom in Informatics and Tumelo is working toward his BCom in marketing, their discipline and passion in the pool have set them apart as athletes to watch.
'We really do push one another to get faster,' said Owethu.
'It's great knowing someone is always close behind in the next lane.'
He said it's mostly competitive, but they try to support each other.
Owethu added there's always that challenge to see who can go faster.
'We actually started out playing football,' he said.
'However, swimming became our focus after we took lessons for water safety. We ended up loving it.'
Owethu's biggest goal in swimming is to get to the highest level he can and see how far he can take his career.
What's just as important to him is teaching people how to swim.
'It's a life skill everyone should have.
'I've been around the world, seen so many places, done so many things, and it's all thanks to just getting in the pool every day.'
Owethu said at Tuks, they have a strong support system.
'There are always multiple coaches on deck, ready to help you reach your goals.'
Tumelo, who is equally committed, has a strong drive to give back.
'When it's time to study, I'm all in with my studies. When it's time to train, I focus on training,' he said.
'I'm a man of faith.'
Tumelo believes life is important with God, and decreasing the drowning statistics in South Africa is a personal mission.
He added that water safety should be a right in this country, because people drown every day.
Tumelo chose to study at Tuks because it's one of the top universities, especially for what he is studying.
'TuksSport setup feels like a family.
The coaching staff, the dietitians, the sports scientists and everyone are there to support you.'
He added that inspiring young people to become water-safe is a huge part of why he swims.
Tumelo said anybody can get involved in the TuksSport lifestyle from a young age.
'You don't have to be an elite swimmer to start.'
Their father, Dana Mahan, says it best: 'My wife and I often have to remind our sons that they're children first, conquerors second'.
As they continue training through the winter, the brothers carry not only the hopes of their team and family but also the dreams of a generation.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
26 minutes ago
- The Star
Cape Town City may face life in NFD without talented youngsters
Cape Town City will now have to prepare for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after being officially ruled out of the promotion/relegation playoffs earlier this week, bringing a long and difficult season to a disappointing close. The Citizens, who ended the campaign 15th on the Premiership table, fell short when it mattered most and must now regroup for the challenges of second-tier football. The Cape side paid the price for their inconsistency throughout a campaign that only saw them get seven victories from 28 matches and their turn out in the playoffs also lacked the urgency the club has been known for in the last 10 years. Their 1-0 defeat to Orbit College handed the Rustenburg-based side a historic promotion to the top flight. The result took Orbit to an unassailable eight points in the mini-league, ending City's survival hopes with a game to spare. At the start of the season, few would have predicted this outcome for City, especially with the wealth of talent still within their squad. As the dust settles, attention now turns to three of their brightest young stars—players who could soon be on the radar of top-flight clubs. The 20-year-old forward enjoyed a landmark year, becoming one of the few South African players to lift the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. His rise continued with nine league appearances for City this season, playing a role in their battle to retain top-flight status. Ahshene's technical ability and composure in the final third make him one of the most exciting prospects in South African football. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and with City now relegated, clubs in the Betway Premiership are likely to circle for his signature. Jaedin Rhodes In a season filled with setbacks, Jaedin Rhodes emerged as one of the few consistent performers for City. The 22-year-old midfielder featured in 23 matches, showcasing his resilience and maturity despite the team's struggles. Rhodes, who received a national team call-up to the Bafana Bafana Cosafa Cup squad last year, remains a highly valued asset. His creative spark and tactical intelligence could be central to City's hopes of bouncing back quickly. However, the lure of top-flight football may make it difficult for the club to hold onto him, especially with his stock rising. Emile Witbooi
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates legend on Saleng: 'You let the club down'
Orlando Pirates legend Moeneeb Josephs has expressed his disappointment in Monnapule Saleng. The 27-year-old winger has not played for the Buccaneers in over six months, reportedly due to a contract dispute. Neither the club nor the player has publicly addressed the issue. Josephs believes that Saleng has let the club down, especially in the second half of the season when the Buccaneers needed quality players to compete for the league title and the CAF Champions League. He warns that Saleng might find himself sidelined, especially with the club having acquired new players. 'Every season, a new footballer comes along,' the former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper said on Soccer Beat . 'Yes, I know it was a contract dispute that kept him on the sidelines and obviously, the influence he's got from the side as well but look now. Now it's causing him problems because we have new signings and we are looking forward to the new signings.' The former Pirates keeper admits Saleng is a great talent, but questioned his commitment following his sabbatical. What do we remember of Saleng? It is a fact that when we needed him, he wasn't there. He was an integral part of us, and he made people who are not involved in the game influence his decision, and that is disappointing for me. 'Yes, I love Saleng, he is an amazing player but as much as I love to see Saleng, I'm tired of this thing man.' The Buccaneers have already resumed their pre-season and will jet off to Spain in the next two weeks. It remains to be seen if Saleng will be part of the Orlando Pirates team during their pre-season camp. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
A fleeting moment turns iconic with a click of the shutter
Independent Media photographer Leon Lestrade has been a photojournalist for more than 30 years. Image: Supplied For over three decades, Leon Lestrade has been a quiet observer of history, capturing defining moments through the lens of his camera. On a sunny Sunday in June at Durban's uShaka Beach, he stumbled upon a scene that would etch itself into the annals of South African history. A group of men carried a paraplegic man into the ocean, an act of camaraderie and strength that prompted Lestrade, armed with his trusted digital camera, to snap away, unaware that what he was capturing was more than just a heartwarming image. A week later, that moment gained significance when news emerged about Oscar Pistorius' participation in the IronMan competition—the paralympian's first public sporting event since his release on parole for the 2013 Valentine's Day murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. MAKING A SPLASH: Convicted killer Oscar Pistorius was in Durban participating in the Ironman 70.3 triathlon, his first public sporting event since being released on parole. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Media For Lestrade, the revelation left him in awe. 'I couldn't believe it," said Lestrade when reflecting on the moment. "I had unknowingly photographed a man with such a complex and controversial history, and it felt surreal." The encounter beautifully encapsulated the intersection of sport, redemption, and public perception. This year marked a significant milestone for Lestrade, as he celebrated 27 years with Independent Media, having embarked on his photography journey over 30 years ago as a freelancer. Largely self-taught, Lestrade developed his skills on the job, fostering a dedication to his work that has won him numerous awards. Growing up on the Cape Flats presented its own set of challenges which his family bravely faced, particularly his father, Jack, a professional photographer who navigated a racially segregated industry. Lestrade recalls, 'My father never wanted to discuss his career, and I can understand his reasons why, but we overcame those obstacles.' Lestrade's journey began at Independent Newspapers, initially working under picture editor Anne Laing at the Cape Times before transitioning to the Cape Argus, where Jim McLagan mentored him. His diverse experiences allowed him to hone his skill in various fields, including sports, politics, and feature stories. Throughout his career, he captured countless pivotal moments, but meeting Nelson Mandela stands out as a turning point.
