The Little Optimist

03/09/2026

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We are so proud of you
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“My name is Joshua September, and I was born & raised in Mitchells Plain, on the Cape Flats in South Africa.
Coming from the Cape flats , it taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and believing that no matter where you come from, you can pursue something greater.

My journey in sailing began when I was in Grade 6 at Hyacinth Primary School. I was introduced to sailing through Zeekoevlei Sailing Centre, & what started as an opportunity to try something new soon became a passion and eventually a major part of my life. As I continued my journey, I joined at The Little Optimist Trust. I started as a student, then holiday intern and Over the years, I continued working there throughout my entire high school career. I eventually received a permanent position as a sailing instructor, which allowed me to gain valuable experience, compete, develop my skills, and grow both personally and professionally. After 6 years at i was offered the opportunity and a full time job at , a head line sponsor of .
has opened a new chapter in my life and career. It has given me the opportunity to take the experience and skills I gained through sailing and apply them in a professional working environment. Every day, I continue to learn more about the marine industry, develop new skills, and gain valuable experience that will help me grow in my career.

Today, I am proud to say that I am living a dream that started with a young boy from Mitchells Plain stepping into a boat for the first time in Grade 6. My journey has not always been easy, but through every opportunity, challenge, and lesson, I have continued to sail & grow.
I am proud of where I come from, grateful to everyone who has played a role in my journey, and excited about what the future holds.
From the Cape Flats to the open ocean, my journey continues. This is only the beginning, and I am still learning, still growing, and still pursuing my dreams.”
Josh September

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

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Thank you
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We appreciate the use of your amazing pool and facilities to help us host and run our Survival Swimming Train the Trainer programme with National Sea Rescue Institute
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Together we are upskilling and training , mentors and volunteers to better serve and educate marginalised and differently abled youth.

22/08/2026

How it’s made!
The greatest little yacht on earth!

Did you know the International Optimist Dinghy is one of the hardes...

21/08/2026

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Tit for Tat
amircpt personally thanks the National Sea Rescue Institute team and below we receive a thank you from the National Sea Rescue Institute team.
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“Good day everyone,
I would just like to take a moment to sincerely thank the Little Optimist and Nine Mile teams for granting us the wonderful opportunity to share our knowledge, skills and experience with you over the past few days.
It was truly a privilege for all of our facilitators to be part of this training. While we came with the intention of sharing our knowledge and skills, we also left having learned so much from you, which we greatly appreciate.
One thing that really stood out for me is that, although we are all connected to different organisations and companies, we have one very important thing in common — our love for our communities, our people, and our passion for water safety. 💙🌊
I would like to wish both your teams all the very best for the future. We are certainly looking forward to more collaborations, events and opportunities where we can work together and continue making a difference in our communities.
Thank you once again for welcoming us and for the wonderful spirit of collaboration.
God bless you all, and we look forward to seeing you again soon. 🙏💙”
Nicole Anthony - NSRI water safety coordinator

20/08/2026

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Day 3
of our Trauma, Survival & Counselling Training.
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At The Little Optimist Trust and Sailing Academy, we believe that if we want to help children navigate their challenges, we must continue learning how to better understand them.
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Our trainers, instructors, volunteers, facilitators and social partners have spent the past three days learning, growing and developing the skills needed to work more effectively with marginalized children and children who have experienced trauma.
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Whether on land or on the water, we are committed to creating safer spaces where children can learn, heal, grow in confidence and discover new possibilities through a growth mindset, education, mentorship and the incredible world of the ocean.
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Because sometimes, to change a child’s journey, it starts with changing and improving how we show up for them.
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Together, we learn. Together, we grow. Together, we help create better futures. ⚓️
Thank you National Sea Rescue Institute and Hope House Counselling Centre for the collaboration and partnership and thanks to the The Little Optimist 9Miles Project and Roxy Davis Foundation teams for showing up with smiles and big hearts
OceanTherapy Mentorship Inclusion NeverGiveUp CreatingHope

20/08/2026

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Survival swimming training
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It’s time to get into the pool and learn more about how to teach children to be safe, to be wise , to not panic and how to water wise.
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Thank you National Sea Rescue Institute for this invaluable training for The Little Optimist Roxy Davis Foundation and 9Miles Project
And huge thanks to Herzlia High School SLC for the use of your amazing pool.

20/08/2026

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Proud as Punch
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Renton Geduld earns his South African Marine Catagory E skippers ticket
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At The Little Optimist Trust, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to be included, to learn, to grow and to build a better future. Through our programmes, we help create pathways to education, skills and employment opportunities that many of the young people we work with may never ordinarily have had access to.
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This is about more than a licence. It’s about confidence, opportunity, independence and opening doors to a future filled with possibility.
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This is his first step toward his next goal of his SAS sailing instructors qualification.
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Well done young man!

19/08/2026

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Another day of training
Another day of safety first!
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Today The Little Optimist partnered with National Sea Rescue Institute to host the first of two days of rescue and survival training for our instructors and facilitators and those we invited from our social partner organisations Roxy Davis Foundation and 9Miles Project
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A day of learning , skills building and empowerment for those who are tasked with teaching, mentoring and training marginalised and differently abled youth from under resourced communities.
💙
Thank you and well done to each and everybody be of you who brought the fun and the function today !

19/08/2026

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Another day of training
Another day of safety first!
🛟
Today The Little Optimist partnered with National Sea Rescue Institute to host the first of two days of rescue and survival training for our instructors and facilitators and those we invited from our social partner organisations Roxy Davis Foundation and 9Miles Project
🌈
A day of learning , skills building and empowerment for those who are tasked with teaching, mentoring and training marginalised and differently abled youth from under resourced communities.
💙
Thank you and well done to each and everybody be of you who brought the fun and the function today !