Twenty-Seven Students Graduate from Basic Lifesaving Course at University of Botswana
The University of Botswana (UB) Department of Sports, Culture and Recreation recently hosted a Basic Lifesaving Course graduation ceremony at the UB Swimming Pool. Twenty-seven (27) participants successfully completed the course, gaining essential skills in swimming, water rescue, emergency evacuation, first aid, aqua-survival, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and fitness.
The graduates represented a diverse range of institutions, including the Botswana Police Service (BPS), Botswana Fire Department, Water Utilities Corporation (WUC), Botswana Prisons, UB Swimming Club, and UB Sports Science.
The course aimed at equipping participants with knowledge and skills to prevent, recognise and respond to aquatic emergencies. Training was facilitated by UB lifeguard experts in collaboration with lifeguard examiners from Lifeguard Services South Africa.
Delivering the keynote address, Director of the UB Department of Sports, Culture, and Recreation, Dr Comfort Mokgothu, underscored the numerous health benefits of swimming, including improved endurance, cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. He observed that learning to swim provided individuals with vital water safety techniques to reduce the risk of drowning and saving lives.
Dr Mokgothu encouraged the graduates to apply their skills by promoting water safety, responding to emergencies and offering consultation services to education, recreation and health agencies across Botswana. He also urged them to collaborate with stakeholders such as the BDF, WUC rescue teams, disaster management teams, Red Cross Society and community organisations to enhance aquatic safety standards nationwide.
UB Sports Manager, Mr Nelson Bodilenyane, commended the graduates for their dedication and perseverance throughout the course. He urged them to foster a culture of excellence in lifeguarding and to take pride in their newfound skills.
Superintendent Alfred Woto, representing the BPS, also encouraged the graduates to practice their skills diligently and use their knowledge to serve their communities. He underlined the importance of promoting public awareness of aquatic emergencies to reduce water-related incidents.