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NCPD Makes Waves at the 2026 Midmar Mile: Champions Swim for Inclusion
Feb
MIDMAR DAM, KwaZulu-Natal – The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) made its mark at the 2026 aQuëllé Midmar Mile Charity Challenge, rallying a team of champions to take to the water in one of South Africa’s most iconic open-water swimming events. Held across four days at Midmar Dam in Howick, the event saw NCPD participate as an official charity organisation – a milestone that signals growing recognition of the disability sector in mainstream sport and fundraising.
Adri Visser Leads the Charge
At the heart of the campaign was Adri Visser, NCPD’s Casual Day Coordinator for Retailers and a retired Paralympic swimmer of formidable standing. Born without hands and with only one leg, Adri set six African records during a career that took her to Paralympic and open-water stages across the world. After retiring from competitive swimming in 2016, she completed a Masters degree in Therapeutic Recreation from North-West University, channelling her lived experience and academic insight into NCPD’s advocacy work.
Her deep roots in both disability advocacy and elite swimming made her the natural driving force behind NCPD’s Midmar Mile charity initiative. For Adri, returning to Midmar — the 53rd edition of the event – was more than a personal challenge. It was a statement.
On Saturday, 7 February, she completed Event 1 – her one-mile swim – improving her previous time by an impressive seven minutes. It was her 12th Midmar Mile. After crossing the finish line, Adri reflected on the journey with characteristic warmth:
“I am so grateful for all the support – from our staff, from our charity partners, from the Midmar Race team, and from every single person out there who came alongside us and supported persons with disabilities. We are extremely excited about next year and about growing this initiative to create greater inclusion. If you have not yet supported our cause, please find the link below, share it, and help us keep building. Remember: if I can, so can you.”
Champions Who Swam for the Cause
The NCPD champion squad for 2026 was a remarkable line-up spanning generations and disciplines. Leading the distance charge were Terence Parkin and Reino von Wielligh, each tackling an extraordinary 32 miles spread across all four event days.
Terence Parkin needs little introduction. A Sydney 2000 Olympic silver medallist in the 200m breaststroke, Terence was born deaf and went on to compete in the 2004 Olympics, the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games, and the Deaflympics – where he holds the record for the most medals in Deaflympics history, having won 29 gold medals and 33 in total. Reino von Wielligh, meanwhile, took to the water in his 21st consecutive Midmar Mile, carrying the NCPD flag with the quiet determination that defines him.
Alani Ferreira, a three-time Paralympian and visually impaired swimming champion, completed 8 miles alongside Terence’s daughter, Shayla Parkin. Also completing 8 miles across Thursday and Friday were Hayden Kriedemann, Connor Crutchley, Skye Giorgiutti, Gerber Pretorius, and Cheryl Haley. At just 14 years old, Connor Crutchley was among the youngest in the field -a feat made more meaningful by the fact that he underwent head surgery as an infant and now swims to support others facing similar challenges.
Wayne Riddin – the event’s Race Director and a former national coach – split 8 miles across the event days, lending both his reputation and his effort to the NCPD cause. Caleb Williams and Simphiwe Dlamini partnered to complete the 8-mile challenge, each covering 4 miles.
Reino von Wielligh, who swam 32 miles for NCPD alongside Happy Bundles, put the challenge in plain terms:
“A lot of times it’s very important for me to emphasise—yes, it’s very far. But what pushes you through at the end of the day is thinking about people with disabilities who are not able to swim, as well as children with cancer who are going through so much. Taking that into consideration just keeps you going. I hope that everybody can get awareness of these causes and donate on the GivenGain pages.”
For Simphiwe Dlamini, who was participating in his first-ever Midmar Mile alongside Caleb Williams, the occasion carried meaning well beyond the swim itself. Having travelled from Eswatini to take part, Simphiwe spoke about what it meant to push through the challenge, knowing it would benefit others:
“The important part is that we were able to do all of this while supporting NCPD—and that was a great motivator. Knowing that our initiative is going to benefit other people in the long run made every stroke worth it. We’re hoping to help foster a community, not just in South Africa but across Eswatini too, to keep on pushing and motivating everyone to come and take part in this great cause.”
There’s Still Time to Give — But Not Much
The fundraiser is still open — but only until the end of March 2026. Every rand raised goes directly towards NCPD’s work creating inclusion, access, and opportunity for persons with disabilities across South Africa. The champions showed up and swam. Now it’s your turn to show up for them. Whether you give R50 or R5000, it counts — and it makes a real difference in someone’s life.
Donate before 31 March 2026 via GivenGain at www.givengain.com/event/2026-charity-8-mile-challenge-ncpd. Share the link. Tell your network. Help NCPD keep going.
A Growing Movement
NCPD’s participation in the 2026 Midmar Mile is part of a broader drive to create meaningful inclusion for persons with disabilities across South Africa. Since launching in 2016, the aQuellé Midmar Mile Charity Challenge has raised over R22 million for causes across South Africa. NCPD is already looking ahead to 2027, with plans to grow the champion squad and expand the reach of the campaign.