Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT started as a fun dip in the water, but for Paige van der Westhuizen, swimming has become a passport to the world, a gateway to lifelong friendships and a platform to chase Olympic dreams.
From splashing around at Bryden Country School to standing tall as Zimbabwe’s flag bearer at Paris 2024, the 22-year-old’s story is a lesson in passion, perseverance and purpose.
The sport has shaped nearly every part of an der Westhuizen’s life. Socially, it has helped her build lifelong friendships. Professionally, it has taken her across the globe. She has flown the Zimbabwean flag high at the World Championships, the African Junior Championships and now, the Olympic Games. Last year, she was part of the women’s 4x100m relay team that clinched bronze at the African Games in Ghana, another proud moment in a steadily growing career.
“I started swimming competitively at seven years old,” she recalled. “I got into it through school swimming and the Mashonaland Country Districts (MCD) trials, where a coach approached my parents and asked if I could join the Dorados Swimming Club.
“I was very young and extremely competitive. I enjoyed winning, and swimming quickly became a love of mine.”
Her journey started at Bryden, swimming “just for fun”, but that soon evolved. Through high school, she joined a Harare-based club and began representing Zimbabwe internationally by age 13. At just 16, she had already featured at the World Championships, and by 18, she knew swimming would be a long-term part of her life, even as she pursued her studies.
Now based in Scotland, Van der Westhuizen is studying law at the University of Stirling and continues to train as part of the institution’s high-performance programme.
She credits swimming for opening doors that might have otherwise stayed shut.
“When I first started, I had no idea what it would amount to,” she said. “But I was a determined child. I knew that whatever I put my mind to, I could achieve. I had a strong age group of swimmers to compete with in Zimbabwe and trained hard to be the best. I gave it my all every day and always raced to the best of my abilities.”
That work ethic helped her secure a place at a top-tier university and earn enough points for a universality slot to Paris 2024.
“It’s helped me achieve my goals of going to the Olympics,” she said. “I’m currently in my fourth year of law at Stirling.”
Her main events include the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, along with the 200m individual medley. She is now preparing for the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, which run from July 11 to August 3.
“It’s a very surreal experience, to say the least,” she said. “Being surrounded by the best athletes in the world and knowing you’re one of them is incredible. These meets are intense and high pressure, but I’ve learned to focus on my race and trust what I’ve done in training.”
While Paris is her present, LA is the goal.
Van der Westhuizen is already eyeing the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Having made her Olympic debut, she now wants to build on that experience.
“There’s a big difference between the World Championships and the Olympics,” she admitted.
“At first, I was just excited. But as the race got closer, the nerves crept in. The Olympics is on a whole different scale; it’s the biggest sporting event on the planet.
“The media coverage is massive. I definitely felt a lot more recognition and support from the country during the Olympics.”
Despite that pressure, she remains grounded and focused on her long-term ambitions.
“My goals haven’t changed since I was seven,” she said. “I’ve always had high expectations for myself. I always wanted to be an Olympian and make waves on the world stage, and that’s still what I’m working towards.”
What does a typical day look like for Zimbabwe’s flag bearer?
“My normal day consists of three training sessions and university,” she explained. “I wake up at 5.20am, grab something to eat and get to the pool for my first session from 6 to 8am.
“Then I go straight to the gym until 9am. After breakfast, I head to lectures. Around 12.30, I’m back at the pool for warm-ups and swim from 1.30 to 3.30pm. I attend more lectures from 4 to 6pm, have dinner and rest. That’s Monday to Saturday. Sundays are my rest days.”
As for her proudest achievements?
“My biggest one is qualifying for Paris 2024 and being named the flag bearer. Winning bronze at the African Games was also special, and so was qualifying for seven World Championships,” she said.
Her fondest memories, however, go beyond the medals.
“Travelling is definitely a highlight. Swimming has taken me around the world and allowed me to meet some amazing people. I’ve met my best friends through the sport, and I’ll always be grateful for that,” she said.
Van der Westhuizen paid tribute to her biggest supporters, her parents, and the coaches who believed in her.
“My parents have been with me every step of the way. I’ve also had amazing coaches whose belief in me never wavered,” she said.
Van der Westhuizen is training under coach Josh Williamson at the University of Stirling High-Performance Club.
Outside the pool, she enjoys quiet moments.
“I love being home, resting and spending time with family and friends. I enjoy the bush, and Kariba is one of my favourite places to relax away from swimming,” she said.
Still, the dream burns bright.
“My vision for the future is to keep swimming and make it to LA 2028,” she said.
Online Reporter