Sohail Khan's Midmar Mile tribute to the 13 children who died in Vaal tragedy

FOURTEEN-year-old Sohail Khan from Amanzimtoti High School completed his third aQuellé Midmar Mile with a special purpose - dedicating his swim to the 13 children who lost their lives in the Vaal scholar transport tragedy.

This young athlete, who lives in Umkomaas, completed his third Midmar Mile in a time of 48 minutes and 43 seconds, balancing his demanding swim training with academics and a busy cricket schedule.

“I have been swimming from the age of six when I started primary school. I started swimming because I enjoyed being in the water and loved learning new techniques which gave me the confidence and skills that I have today,” he said.

He admitted that juggling sports and school was not always easy. 

“It is difficult to train as often as I would like to due to academics and I also play cricket. I am on the field training most of the days,” he said.

Reflecting on race day, Sohail described the favourable conditions and his strong personal performance. 

“It was a good race, the weather was great and I managed to finish in 48:43. The most difficult part of the race was picking my head up and looking at the finish line, which looked like the long swim to freedom,” he said.

Sohail said thinking about the children who lost their lives in the Vaal accident helped him push through the race.

“It was an easy swim I would say. Thinking about those kids gave me the strength to push and finish the race,” he said.

He explained that his dedication was meant as a small sign of support to grieving families. 

“I just feel it is a little gesture to show towards the grieving family for the pain they are going through, and I feel that all lives matter, no matter colour or race.

“The little pain we go through while swimming cannot compare to the pain of losing a loved one. So it is a little gesture that I have decided to take and I hope to make the families’ pain a little less.”

This is not the first time Sohail had dedicated his Midmar Mile swim in memory of a tragedy. Last year, he swam in honour of a 14-year-old cricket friend, Amman Khan, who drowned at Mzumbe Beach in Port Shepstone.

“Amman was also a cricketer and we played one game against each other. When the news of his passing came, it was a shock to all of us. That is when I decided to swim my mile in memory of Amman,” he said.

Sohail also expressed gratitude to his family for their support. 

“I would like to thank my parents for always encouraging and believing in me. Without them, I would not be the person I am today,” he said.

He also shared his sadness following the death of a fellow participant during the event. 

“I am also deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the 63-year-old while swimming her mile. I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family,” said Sohail.

Sohail’s mother, Farzana Khan, said she was proud of her son’s compassion and commitment. 

“I am extremely proud of Sohail’s decision and dedication to swimming, and especially that he dedicated each performance to grieving families. We pray he continues doing good for the people around him,” she said.

Meanwhile, organisers of the aQuellé Midmar Mile confirmed that a 63-year-old female participant died after suffering a cardiac arrest during Sunday’s open-water event at Midmar Dam.

In a statement, organisers said the swimmer experienced medical distress while in the water, prompting another participant to alert rescue and safety personnel. Medical teams found her in full cardiac arrest and immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the water before bringing her to shore.

She was handed over to paramedics and on-site doctors, who continued resuscitation efforts. Despite sustained attempts at the scene and later at hospital, the swimmer could not be revived.

The POST