IT must be a first for The Herald to name a sportsman who raises funds for rhino conservation as hooligan of the day. The Herald is out line in classifying Kyle Main in the same manner that you classify a person who has committed a criminal act of sorts.
Main is an extreme long distance swimmer, sponsored by various companies and, in turn, he raises awareness and funds through these companies in aid of ridding our country of rhino poaching. the article, "Bay swimmer's Swartkops feat", written in the same paper on October 10 did not paint the full picture, but seemed to want to focus on the negativity of a swim. Kyle had to prepare medically so as not to get ill.
Now, surely this raises awareness to the general public at large that the river is polluted? Surely we should be applauding someone who puts his own health at risk so as to raise funds for charity?
Would the authorities responsible for monitoring the pollution spewing into the river be further spurred actually to do their job?
On the other hand, if the river is so polluted as "the experts" say, then why did Main not have any side effects? Your newspaper and those detractors of his swim seem to forget that the Duzi canoe marathon is raced in a heavily polluted river, with many athletes falling extremely ill, and this is a worldwide-sanctioned canoe marathon.
Main's extreme swimming efforts should be welcomed for the charity work he does, for raising the profile of swimming in our province, for raising the profile of the areas where the rivers are in which he swims and for prompting an article which reinforces that after several years, the Swartkops River remains polluted.
Gordon Upton, Port Elizabeth
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