The Department of Basic Education and the 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 premier school sporting events.
Under the leadership of both the departments, the National School Sports Championship is considered an important platform for talent identification and sports development.
Organizers say the initiative aims to strengthen participation in school sports while creating opportunities for learners from all backgrounds to compete at a national level.
The program also promotes a safe and inclusive sporting environment, with the overarching 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 competitions under a multi-category and multi-disability format.
Athletes must be classified professionally through recognized structures, including the South African Sports Association for the physically disabled and the South African Sports Association for the intellectually disabled.
Competitors will compete in the age groups of 12 to 14 and 15 to 19 years old boys and girls.
Classifications range from S1 to S15, with qualifying times determined by 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, April 24 at 12:30, while medal ceremonies will be held daily during the final session on April 24, 25 and 26, starting at 15:00.
The event will conclude with an official closing ceremony on the afternoon of Monday, April 27.
Members of the media have been invited to attend the championship, with the daily proceedings starting at 08:30. – sanews.gov.za