Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) employees teamed up with South African National Defence Force (SANDF) swimmers to participate in the 2022 Midmar Mile, also known as the largest open-water swim event, held at the Midmar Dam in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 February.
The 16 RDM employees comprised 12 swimmers and four support staff, while the SANDF entered 80 swimmers. “Summer is undoubtedly the best time for an open-water swimming event and the conditions were simply perfect as the teams enjoyed very clear fresh water at approximately 25ºC,” said retired Rear Admiral and member of the RDM team, Robert Higgs.
On the day, Higgs completed his seventh 8-mile (12,87 km) Midmar with an outstanding record of 63 crossings, not to mention attending the Midmar Mile every year since 2011.
Participating and attending the annual Midmar Mile is one of the sporting and environmental highlights of the South African calendar. People travel from all corners of South Africa and globally to participate and experience the ultimate Midmar Mile spirit.
“With team RDM participating alongside the SANDF, our loyalty and self-discipline as a dedicated partner to the forces indicates our commitment in ensuring RDM is acknowledged and taken seriously both nationally and globally,” said Higgs.
RDM has contributed significantly to improving SA’s military defence capabilities by supplying the SANDF with world-class products. RDM endeavours to support the SANDF to be respected regionally and globally as a credible military.
The Midmar Mile open-water swim event certainly cemented and will continue to do so in the existing partnership between RDM and the SANDF.
“We, as a company, are very proud of our ‘Patriots of the Ocean’ for flying the RDM flag and spirit high,” said RDM CEO Jan-Patrick Helmsen.
“I just love the attitude of our RDM swimming team, especially the fact that they are raising awareness of threats to our oceans.”
