The Reinhardt Drewel Foundation SA aim to prevent all future childhood drowning fatalities and non-fatal drowning disabilities in South Africa and later Africa, as well as Supporting Children disabled by non-fatal Drowning or Cerebral Hypoxic injury – a serious, life-threatening injury which can cause Cognitive problems and disabilities, by means of launching national drowning prevention awareness and educational programs to Community-based, supervised child care institutions and schools.

We will achieve these aims through long-term sponsor / donator affiliation, local and global alliance & partnership with local and international Water Regulatory Bodies and established Water Safety Organisations, Emergency Medical Service Providers (EMS) and other Drowning Prevention & associated Disability Support Groups and Non-Profit Foundations.

We will furthermore:

• Partake in National drowning prevention and water safety campaigns ad awareness programs with established water safety regulatory bodies and emergency service providers eg, ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd t/a ER24 in South Africa and later Africa
• Investigate & Promote changes to Standards, Legislation, Regulations and their enforcement to improve the safety of domestic swimming pools and to improve safety around all other aquatic sources in South Africa and later Africa.
• Identify local & International suppliers and contribute aid to disadvantaged children disabled by non-fatal (near) drowning to help improve their value of life.

• To initiate sustained National Drowning Prevention Awareness & Education Programs in collaboration with established Water Safety Organisations & Emergency Medical Service Providers to community-based child care institutions, pre-schools & Primary Schools, parents or other individuals that have children in their daily care
• To reduce and ultimately prevent all childhood drowning in South Africa and Africa
• To support and supply disadvantaged children in South Africa & Africa subsequent to non-fatal drowning and disabled by cerebral anoxic injury or other disability with the necessary aid to improve their quality of life

• To initiate, sustain and actively contribute to National Drowning Prevention Awareness Campaigns & Education Programs
• Collaborate national & International partnerships that will achieve our vision – Prevention of childhood drowning and non-fatal drowning disability in South Africa and Africa
• To ensure that every disabled disadvantaged child in South Africa & later Africa is identified and provided with the apparatus, aid and medical services they need to sustain their daily care and value of life

• Honesty and Integrity
• Empathy and Compassion
• Teamwork and Solidarity

We are purpose driven, career women, wives and mothers. We strive to make children and parents alike equally aware of the importance of water safety. We are passionate about primarily saving precious lives and to help improve the quality of life of children disabled by non-fatal drowning. 

Founder and Managing Director: Rina van Schalkwyk 

I was born in Pretoria, matriculated at Hoërskool Alberton in 1991 & a Lancaster University graduate. I’m married for 21 years and we are Blessed with two daughters. I survived a non-fatal drowning incident at the age of two and growing up I lost a childhood friend to drowning. Little Reinhardt Drewel drowned in February 2015. Most people are related to or knows someone who has drowned or survived a Non-Fatal Drowning. The  impact when a child drowns or is disabled due to non-fatal drowning is immense. Families are left with permanent emotional scars and hospitalisation can leave children with injuries so severe they need life-long care. After Reinhardt’s drowning I researched Drowning and Non-Fatal Drowning Injuries in our country I decided to register a NPO that will not only target childhood drowning awareness and education but it will also be South Africa’s first charity that support children disabled by non-fatal drowning. I launched the The Reinhardt Drewel Foundation SA (RDF SA) in October 2015.

According to WHO Statistics more than 370 000 families are affected by drowning annually worldwide. Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death and disability in children and a serious and neglected Public Health problem.  

Our message is simple: ’One child who dies or is hospitalised from drowning is one child too many.’

Director: Marie Drewel 

I am a friendly, caring, hardworking and loyal person. I was born in Randfontein and matriculated in 2002 at Secunda Highschool. Started working as a cashier in 2003 and worked myself up to Management level. I met my Loving husband in 2005, got married 2010 got pregnant 2011 with our beautiful son Reinhardt. We moved to our first family dream house with a pool just before Reinhardt turned three. On the 25th of February 2015 he accidently drowned when he was only 3 years and 4 months old. And so out of his tragic death, this wonderful organisation was created. We were blessed with a beautiful daughter Nishka in March 2016. Looking forward to make this Organisation a big success with Rina and Julia.

Director: Julia Ramatsoga 

I am the eldest daughter of the late Mr Phillip and Cecilia Mojela. I am married to Mr Samuel Ramatsoga. We are Blessed with 4 children (2 boys ans 2 girls).  I matriculated in 1998 at Tlou-Matlala Seniour Secondary school. I attended various training namely: Training Academy, Nosa, Mokoro training academy, Haslac training institute. I like singing, reading and watching movies. I am a Christian. 

• Participating in National Drowning Prevention / Water Safety Awareness Campaigns and Education Programs
• Identifying disadvantaged, disabled children in need of equipment and aid to support their daily care and quality of life and supplying the necessary aid, equipment and services to them.
• Actively contributing to Water Safety messages and Campaigns with established Water Regulatory Bodies, Water Safety Organisations and established Emergency Medical Service Providers, eg ER24
• Advocacy for changes to Standards, Legislation, Regulations and their enforcement to improve the safety of domestic swimming pools and to improve safety around all other aquatic sources
• Establishing long term mutually beneficial Partnerships
• Actively contributing to drowning prevention education programs at schools and other infant/toddler care institutions.
• Establishing & actively contributing to Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Education Programs for childcare workers and parents.
• Maintain an effective donor and sponsor relationship & management system
• Develop strong and long-term relationships with key stakeholders, donors and sponsors