09/09/2026
Meet Thabiso Molefi, a South African open water swimmer, hybrid athlete, swimming coach and survival swimming instructor.
In January 2020, Thabiso completed the gruelling 7.5 kilometre swim from Robben Island to Blouberg. His achievement was particularly remarkable given the severe hardship and homelessness he experienced during his childhood. His journey has made him an inspiration to many.
Swimming has become much more than a personal sporting achievement for Thabiso. It is a way of connecting with people, building confidence and creating opportunities.
Thabiso has been a survival swimming instructor for around seven years and is head coach for Learn to Swim at MMD Aquatics. His coaching focuses on stroke development and technical skills across all four strokes, from short course to long course swimming.
He teaches both children and adults, helping swimmers develop confidence in the water as well as essential survival skills.
Thabiso is actively involved in Cape Town's swimming and open water community, including Friends of Sea Point Pavilion and the National Sea Rescue Institute.
He also coached Ayanda Cimoni, an open water swimmer known for braving Cape Town's cold waters in support of seals. Ayanda was among the many open water swimmers who where involved in the fundraising for the new Two Oceans Aquarium's, Turtle Centre in Granger Bay.
Beyond Swimming
Thabiso continues to train as a hybrid athlete and shares his training and experience, encouraging others to keep moving forward despite life's challenges.
He is also a brand ambassador for OGGI, a Cape Town swim and gym wear company that designs and sells locally made swimwear.
Today, Thabiso is not only an accomplished open water swimmer, but a coach, instructor, mentor and active member of the aquatic community.
His story is about resilience, opportunity and community, and about how people can move far # beyond the circumstances in which they started.
