NSRI and Western Cape Scout Region partnership creates pathway from training to lifesaving careers

A powerful partnership between the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and SCOUTS South Africa’s Western Cape Region is opening new pathways for young people – equipping them with lifesaving skills while creating opportunities to serve their communities and build future careers.

The joint programme, which began at the Western Cape’s Scouting-in-Schools leadership training in February, saw approximately 335 volunteer Scout Leaders participate in a range of training exercises, including NSRI water safety education and survival swimming training. Following the camp at the Hawequas Scout Adventure Centre in Wellington, 192 of those participants volunteered to continue their training with the NSRI, marking a significant step from exposure to active commitment.

This structured, phased programme introduces youth to water safety, survival swimming and ultimately lifeguarding, forming part of a long-term development pathway aligned to NSRI’s mission of saving lives and preventing drownings.

Keith Burchell, NSRI Honorary Life Governor, and one of the drivers behind the initiative, said the programme was designed to create meaningful pathways into the organisation while addressing broader transformation and community needs.

“We wanted to create a pathway for young people to come into the NSRI – whether as volunteers, lifeguards or even future crew. What we are seeing now is that pathway coming to life.”

Reflecting on the training, he added:
“There was a young girl who didn’t want to put her head under the water. Ten minutes later, she was swimming. That is a massive achievement, not just for her, but for what this programme can do.”

The programme is delivered in partnership with SCOUTS South Africa’s Western Cape Scouting-in-Schools initiative, which focuses on youth development for young people not currently in employment, education or training.

Tasmin Kriel, Project Manager for the Scouting-in-Schools programme, said the partnership brings both opportunity and impact:

“This is about exposing young people to opportunities they’ve never had before. It creates a journey; from learning to swim, to volunteering, and potentially to a career in lifeguarding.”

“At the same time, they take the water safety knowledge back into their communities, helping to prevent drowning and keep others safe.”

From the NSRI’s perspective, the programme focuses not only on skills development but on building community capacity.

Caville Abrahams, NSRI Community Programmes Coordinator, explained:
“We are teaching young people how to be safe in and around water, but also equipping them to teach others in their communities. This is about upskilling youth and creating opportunities, and ultimately creating futures.”

The next phase of the programme will see the 192 volunteers continue their development, guided according to their individual abilities.

This includes:

• Delivering NSRI water safety presentations in their local schools, supporting the SCOUTS South Africa National Water Safety Challenge
• Progressing into survival swimming instructor training for those who meet the requirements, while encouraging others to reach this level
• Building toward lifeguard training, creating a clear career pathway within the lifesaving sector

The programme combines theoretical and practical training, with youth volunteers also gaining experience assisting at public swimming pools and within community programmes.

For many participants, the impact of the training is immediate and deeply personal.
Amahle Tshunungwa (20), from George, said the programme has given her both confidence and the ability to help others:

“We’re not really swimmers back home, so learning how to swim properly and understanding water safety has helped me a lot. Now I can teach others as well.”

Lynnden Buttress (27), from Mitchells Plain, highlighted the importance of these skills in communities:

“Swimming and water safety are skills many of our youth don’t have. Learning how to stay calm and float can prevent a drowning, and now I can take that knowledge back to my community.”

Mbali Azolibe (20), from Khayelitsha, described overcoming fear in the water:

“At first it was scary, but I learned to trust myself. Now I know how to help someone else and how to keep myself safe.”

The joint NSRI and SCOUTS South Africa Western Cape programme is designed to grow over time, developing youth leaders, expanding community reach, and strengthening drowning prevention efforts across the Western Cape and beyond.

By combining resources, training expertise and community networks, the partnership is creating a sustainable model that not only saves lives today but also equips the next generation to do the same.

As Burchell reflects:

“This programme brings together everything the NSRI stands for: prevention, training, and creating opportunities. And most importantly, it gives young people a future.”