Department of Basic Education and Department of Sport, Arts and Culture have partnered with Swimming South Africa to host the 2026 Autumn Swimming National School Sport Championships in Cape Town from 24 to 27 April.
The championships will take place at the University of the Western Cape Swimming Pool and are expected to bring together young swimmers from across the country in one of South Africa’s flagship school sport events.
The National School Sports Championship, led by the two departments, is regarded as a key platform for talent identification and sport development.
Organisers say the initiative aims to strengthen participation in school sport while creating opportunities for learners from all backgrounds to compete at a national level.
The programme also promotes a safe and inclusive sporting environment, with the broader goal of ensuring that every school in South Africa participates in at least one sporting code.
This year’s autumn swimming championships will include para swimming events under a multi-class and multi-disability format.
Athletes must be professionally classified through recognised structures, including South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled and South African Sports Association for the Intellectually Impaired.
Competitors will participate in age groups for boys and girls aged 12 to 14, and 15 to 19.
Classifications range from S1 to S15, with qualifying times set according to gender, age group and classification. Results will be calculated using the AUS points system based on world record benchmarks.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, 24 April at 12:30, while medal ceremonies will be held daily during finals sessions beginning at 15:00 on 24, 25 and 26 April.
The event will conclude with an official closing ceremony on the afternoon of Monday, 27 April.
Members of the media have been invited to attend the championships, with daily proceedings starting at 08:30. - SAnews.gov.za
