Tanzanian-born lifesaving expert wins two awards, targets prevention

DAR ES SALAAM: FOR Tanzanian born lifesaving expert Moses Ntilema, recognition in South Africa represents more than personal achievement. It also strengthens his ambition to use years of experience in competitive lifesaving and water safety to help protect lives in his home country. At the 2026 BawabasC Annual General Meeting in Gqeberha on October 18, he received two prestigious awards, marking another milestone in a career built on service, sporting commitment and drowning prevention.

Representing Bluewater Bay Surf Lifesaving Club (BWBSC), Ntilema won the Archibald Moracky Trophy for his contribution to water safety officiating and the Crystal Scholtz Trophy for Master Athlete/Competitor of the Year 2026. The double honour recognises his work supporting the safety of competitors and his achievements as a masters athlete.

The awards come as he prepares for an important international assignment. Ntilema has been appointed as an official judge at the World Lifesaving Championships, scheduled for Gqeberha, South Africa, from November 25 to December 13, 2026. According to information provided about his appointment, he will be the first Tanzanian to officiate at the global competition.

His progress reflects years of volunteering, competing and supporting lifesaving activities in South Africa. The latest recognition also highlights how sporting participation and technical expertise can work together in a field where preparedness, judgement and safety are essential.

Recognised for water safety excellence

Ntilema received the Archibald Moracky Trophy for serving as a Water Safety Officer and member of the water safety crew during the 2026 DHL National Lifesaving Championships. As part of the technical officials’ team, he helped safeguard competitors during ocean and water events, while also serving as a water and ocean judge.

His responsibilities extend beyond club-level competitions. He has officiated at district and national championships and supported water safety operations at major events, including Ironman Africa, the Ironman World Championship, The Ocean Race and events along the Sundays River.

These assignments have helped establish his experience in water safety management and competition officiating. His appointment to the World Lifesaving Championships is a further step in that professional journey, bringing his skills to an international stage.

A milestone as a masters athlete

The Crystal Scholtz Trophy recognised Ntilema’s performance and contribution to Bluewater Bay Surf Lifesaving Club. First introduced in 2014, the award has particular meaning for him. He joined the club in 2016 and, according to his account, became its first black member to win the trophy in 2017.

He said his breakthrough helped inspire other black members. More than four members, including Ntilema, reportedly received the honour in 2018. The milestone is part of his wider experience as a competitor who has continued to perform while contributing to lifesaving activities.

Over the years, he has won gold, silver and bronze medals in different categories at South African national lifesaving championships. His strongest discipline has been the 2km beach run in the masters category, where he said he regularly secured gold medals from 2017.

In 2026, he added another achievement by winning gold at the DHL Masters Lifesaving Championships. That performance contributed to his latest recognition as Master Athlete of the Year, reinforcing his standing as both a committed competitor and a water safety professional.

The awards were presented during the annual gathering, attended by provincial representatives, including Eastern Cape Lifesaving chairman Earl Ingram. Bluewater Bay Surf Lifesaving Club president David Bamber was also present.

Turning experience towards Tanzania

Despite his success in South Africa, Ntilema says his long-term goal is to strengthen water safety and drowning prevention in Tanzania, particularly in Zanzibar. He connects his commitment to the islands with maritime disasters in Nungwi in 2011 and 2022, which he says underscored the need for stronger lifesaving capacity and greater public awareness of water safety.

“I have promised to use these platforms, my skills and experience to make huge changes in Tanzania, especially on the island of Zanzibar,” Ntilema said.

He is working towards establishing a national lifesaving organisation that would introduce advanced water safety programmes, drowning prevention initiatives and lifesaving sport to the islands. Such an organisation could provide a structure for developing skills and promoting awareness, although his plans depend on gaining support and opportunities to move forward.

Ntilema says securing government backing remains a challenge, particularly when seeking to represent Tanzania at international lifesaving competitions, World Masters events and competitions associated with the Olympic movement. He hopes to meet Tanzania’s Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports to present his vision and explore ways to work together on lifesaving sport and water safety.

His ambition is to turn the experience gained in South Africa into practical programmes that could help protect people along Tanzania’s coast and around Zanzibar’s waters. The goal links his personal achievements with a wider public need: Building local capacity to prevent drowning and respond effectively when emergencies occur.

Gratitude and the road ahead

Ntilema credits the management of Bluewater Bay Surf Lifesaving Club and his supporters with helping him progress from newcomer in 2016 to award-winning athlete and international officiating candidate. He expressed gratitude for the encouragement he received throughout his lifesaving journey.

“I would like to send my heartfelt gratitude to my club management at Bluewater Bay and to all my supporters for their love and support during my lifesaving journey,” he said.

He also thanked Tanzanian lifesaving supporter Stewart Kiluswa for his advice, encouragement and continued support.

From his early days at the club to his double award and forthcoming World Championships assignment, Ntilema’s journey reflects sustained commitment to competitive lifesaving and water safety. His achievements have strengthened his profile in South Africa, while giving renewed momentum to his plans for Tanzania.

The coming championships will offer him an opportunity to contribute on a global stage. Beyond that assignment, his broader challenge is to build partnerships and secure the backing needed to develop lifesaving programmes at home. If those efforts advance, the knowledge he has gained abroad could support stronger drowning prevention and a wider culture of water safety in Tanzania, particularly in Zanzibar for future generations.