7th August 2019, Johannesburg, South Africa – It’s almost time for the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge where you get to see your favourite celebrities plunge into an icy swimming pool in support of the athletes of Special Olympics. Special Olympics South Africa will be hosting their 3rd edition of the Polar Plunge on the 31st August witha target of 100 committed celebrities taking the plunge this year.
Following the success of the previous Plunges and the recent win at the Special Olympics Summer World Games, Special Olympics South Africa is going even BIGGER this year by challenging celebrities, media, corporate leaders, government officials and the organization’s own ambassadors to brave the freezing waters and plunge for a purpose.
This fun-filled annual event was started to raise awareness about Special Olympics South Africa and the work that they do in using sport to empower over 55 000 athletes living with an intellectual disability in South Africa.
The event also acts as a fundraiser to help support Special Olympics activities nationally.
Companies have the opportunity to participate through the “Toss your Boss” initiative where employees can fundraise and nominate their boss to take the plunge on behalf of the company. A number of companies have already committed including Ford SA, Visionview Sports Radio, Digilogix and Labournet.
Some of the plungers will also be fundraising to support their own dives by asking their supporters to sponsor them. The public can go online and sponsor their favourite celebrity at
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/polar-plunge
This year’s list of celebrities, Special Olympics South Africa ( SOSA) ambassadors and other well-known individuals taking the plunge include:
- Dr Matthews Phosa (Special Olympics South Africa Chairman)
- Nomuzi Mabena (Hip Hop Artist / TV Personality)
- Kim Jayde (MTV Presenter and SOSA Ambassador)
- Nicole Capper (Survivor contestant)
- Mark Fish (Bafana Bafana Coach and SOSA Ambassador)
- Gigi La Mayne (Hip Hop Artist)
- Kay Sibiya (Acclaimed SA actor and SOSA Ambassador)
- Rouge (Hip Hop Artist)
- Bujy Bikwa (Metro FM)
- John Vlismas (Comedian)
- Clint Brink (Actor/ Musician)
- Christopher Jafta (TV Personality)
- Big Star – (Hip Hop Artist)
- Candice Abrahams (ex Mrs World)
- Thami Dish (Activist)
- Gareth ‘Soldierboy’ McLennan (EFC Champion and SOSA Ambassador)
- Harmony Katulondi (Top Billing presenter)
- Dimpie Dimpopo (Comedian)
- Cedric Fourie (Actor)
- Farieda Metsileng (MTV Presenter)
- Mpho Pops (Comedian)
- Tino Chinyani (Model / TV Personality)
- Stacey Holland (Fitness Fanatic)
- Taylor Jaye (Namibian Artist)
- Lynn Forbes (SOSA Ambassador)
- Paul Kamanga ( Welterweight boxer and SOSA Ambassador)
In addition, a long list of business leaders, politicians and individuals have also committed to take the plunge in support of the athletes of Special Olympics South Africa.