Durban – 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 23, 24, and 25 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,” recalled 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 three years ago by four 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,” said 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,” explained 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
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.
Purpose: Volunteer-led lifesaving rescue operations along the SA coastline
Amounts Raised: R172 247 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.
Purpose: Coordinated anti-poaching initiatives across KZN reserves
Amounts Raised: R154 595 (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.
Purpose: Low-cost, play-based early learning programmes using recycled materials
Amounts Raised: R294 252 (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 4our 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.
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