Any story of a child losing his or her life by drowning is sad.

Any story of a child losing his or her life by drowning is sad.

This is especially so against the background of the campaign by Swimming South Africa, which does a sterling job in teaching young children to swim so as to avoid such accidents.

Yesterday, this newspaper published the heart-rending story of Vuyo Mpondo, 6, who drowned in a flooded street after apparently being pushed by other children.

The campaign's work has enabled many youngsters to confidently paddle in water without fear of drowning. And, who knows, the campaign might be planting the seeds for future Olympians to emerge from these areas.

Every South African must support efforts to ensure that everyone can swim.