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Cape Town - Ryk Neethling, has been appointed CEO of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa.
“Ryk is a true champion – a man of integrity, talent and remarkable inner strength,” commented Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene (formerly Charlene Wittstock).
“He is passionate about water safety and will, I know, take my Foundation from strength to strength in South Africa,” continued the Princess.
Here’s a pic of Ryk and Princess Charlene:
Ryk Neethling is one of the most accomplished swimmers in history. An Olympic gold medalist and the first South African athlete to represent his country in four consecutive Olympic Games, he also holds the title of three-times World Champion and four-times World Record Breaker.
Since 2016, Ryk has served as an Ambassador to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation alongside Francois Pienaar and Terence Parkin in South Africa. He is also actively involved in the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and is an Ambassador for Hope Through Action.
Reflecting on his appointment, Ryk Neethling explained, “Since my swimming career started at the age of five after a near-drowning incident, I have shared the same passion for water safety as Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene. Twenty-five years ago, we both began representing South Africa at international swimming competitions, and it is an incredible honour for me to now be entrusted with the task of leading her Foundation here in our country.”
"I am excited about the future of The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation SA as the cause is a critical one. Under the leadership of Gavin Varejes, the Board has done a great job and I will continue to rely on their experience and commitment in making a difference,” he went on to say.
Here’s a post in which Ryk writes about being an ambassador for Princess Charlene’s foundation:
The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation was established in 2012 and has since reached over 300,000 people worldwide in its quest to reduce death by drowning, with operations being established in South Africa in 2013.
In 2016, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation SA taught 2,507 children to swim and 27,242 children essential water safety skills through 23 projects in South Africa.
