Hendrik "Hendri" Jacobus Herbst is oorsponklik vanaf Letsitele naby Tzaneen in die ou Noord Transvaal. Hendri was 'n leerling by the Pionier Skool vir blindes in Worcester enhet hy later by the Universiteir regte swot en 'n LLD graad behaal. 

Hendri Herbst was born with glaucoma and at age 14 he was completely blind.

Hendri Herbst SA skole Oos-Londen 2008

2008 Western Province Disabled swimming team - Natalie du Toit and Achmat Hassiem with Hendri Herbst.

Sportlui met gestremdhede presteer internasionaal

31 Augustus 2009

Lede van die Maties-Helderberg Sportklub vir Persone met Gestremdhede, het die afgelope maand internasionaal puik presteer. In die VSA het die visueel gestremde swemmer Hendri Herbst, SA se naam hoog gehou by die International Blind Sport Association (IBSA) se Jeug- en Studentespele, in Colorado Springs. Die byeenkoms is by Amerika se Olimpiese Oefensentrum aangebied. 

Hendri se harde werk van die vorige maande is beloon met persoonlike beste tye in sy items en met verskeie medaljes – een goud, twee silwer en een brons. Verder het hy, nog ’n SA swemmer en twee Nieu-Zeelanders saamgespan om goud te wen in die 4 x 50m vryslag-aflos.

Die vroueswemmers, met Gina Lourens aan die spits, is gekies om Ierland in Oktober by die Europese Langbad Swemkampioenskappe in Ysland te verteenwoordig. 
Gina wag saam met Elizabeth von Wechmar in spanning om te hoor of die Internasionale Paralimpiese 5Km Oop Water-kompetisie in Seoel gehou gaan word nadat dit weens onrus in Julie afgestel is.

Mexico City 2017: Hendri Herbst’s medal hopes

South African swimmer aiming for first world title at fourth Championships.28 Aug 2017

Hendri Herbst(R) won bronze in the men's 100m Freestyle S11 at the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow.

“In Mexico, my focus will be to swim a good time, the rest will take care of itself. Winning gold is always on the table." 

South African swimmer Hendri Herbst has undergone many changes in his life since competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. He got married, started working with a new coach and entered the final year of his law degree.

With so many things in his mind, the 25-year-old’s preparation for his fourth World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico City has not been ideal. But Herbst stays optimistic.

“I also had an injury in my shoulder and needed to follow a long rehabilitation process,” he said. “This said, the preparation is going well. At this stage, we are still building up the training, but you can’t go from 0 to 100% overnight.

“In Mexico, my focus will be to swim a good time, the rest will take care of itself. Winning gold is always on the table. It all depends on that day. If it is my day this year and everything falls into place, it is possible.

“I think everyone that swims a race, swims it to win it. I know the competition will be strong, but I at least want to medal.”

At the latest edition of the World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain, in 2015, Herbst took two bronze in the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle S11. “I had a few good races. At that stage, the focus was on Rio 2016, though. Unfortunately, it is also where I injured my shoulder.”

Due to his injury, his performance at last year’s Paralympic Games was not as expected.

“Rio was full of mixed emotions. I was super proud to be able to go to my second Paralympics. I think I did well under the circumstances,” said Herbst, who won one bronze at London 2012.

“Obviously, I was very disappointed that I did not medal. The build-up and preparation was far from what I would have wanted. My shoulder limited us significantly to such extent that I was not even sure that that I would be able to qualify at the start of 2016.

“After the heat of my 100m freestyle S11, the doctors asked if I was sure I wanted to swim the final. For me it was a no brainer. I did not work for four years to withdraw from my main race.”

Herbst ended fourth with a time of 59.71 behind USA’s Bradley Snyder (56.15), China’s Bozun Yang (59.51) and Japan’s Keiichi Kimura (59.63).

“Pain and all, I swam my race. Looking back, anyone had the potential to medal in that final. It was one of the closest races of my life. Despite everything, I still had a great time,” he recalled.

Just keep straight – Hendri Herbst

Jun 22 2016

Hendri grew up in Letsitele close to Tzaneen, in the Northern part of South Africa. The area is known for its tropical weather, thus the Herbst family had a large swimming pool. For that reason, when Hendri was only six weeks old, he partook in a drown proof course as a precaution due to his bad eye sight. From that moment onward, he basically grew up in the swimming pool.  

When Hendri was five years old his family moved to the Western Cape. At age 15, he joined the local swimming club, and not long after that he received his Western Province provincial swimming colours. In 2009 he participated in his first international tournament, and in his matric year, 2010, he swam in the World Championships.

Podium moment at the London 2012 Paralympics

With a few successful international tournaments behind his name and a school career that came to its end, Hendri decided to go to Stellenbosch University. Unlike most students, his main goal for going to the university was not to obtain a degree, but to pursue qualifying for London 2012 Paralympic Games. Nonetheless, in 2011 he enrolled for Socio-informatics and graduated in 2013. He kept his eye on his goal, and qualified to represent his country in four items at the London Paralympics. Hendri made the finals for three of the events and won a bronze medal for the 100m freestyle; “dit was ‘n belewenis.”

Being able to win a medal in his first Paralympic Games was indeed a glorious moment, considering that the sacrifice went beyond merely spending hours and hours in the swimming pool. It was the everyday courage to choose life, and the abundance thereof.

I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly- John 10:10

Hendri was born with glaucoma, meaning that the optic nerve at the back of his eye was slowly being destroyed. Fortunately, his dad is a medical doctor and noticed that there was something wrong with his eyes when he was only two days old. At first Hendri was able to see clearly and he slowly started to lose his sight over the years, “dis asof jy sand in jou hand het, and it basically slips through your fingers.” Hence, Hendri attended a mainstream school until grade six, and then moved to a school for the blind. At the age of 12 years old, his sight started to change drastically, and at about 14 years old he was completely blind.

“Ek het opgehou tel by operasie 45…my laaste operasie was toe ek 14 jaar oud was.”

I can only imagine how perplexed and fearful he must have been during those early stages. The many questions floating around in his head: Why me, why now…? When I, Bianca, look back at being 12-14 years old, it was such an uncertain phase of my own life. I remember that my eyes started to strain a lot, and I had many headaches. Consequently, I received my first pair of glasses in grade six. I had big glasses and on top of it, my face looked like a pineapple with all the zits it was covered with. Erick Erickson, developmental psychologist, states that the psychosocial crisis that a person should master during his/her adolescent years (12-18) is that of identity versus role confusion. Key questions such as “who am I?”, and “where do I fit in?” are being dealt with. It seems like I never really graduated from this stage…oops!! At age 32, I am still asking those questions, and even without the big glasses and pineapple face, I might still carry some of the feelings of being the ugly nerdy girl.

However, Hendri knew one thing about himself at that crucial age. He knew that he loved being in the water, and he knew that he could swim. He might have lost his sight, but he was able to recognise that he did not lose his legs and his arms. He could still swim! “Swem het my gehelp, dit was n platform om myself te bewys.”

Many times when we experience a tragedy or a loss, we seem to internalise that all is wrong with the world, and we tend to sulk in a corner feeling sorry for ourselves. Hendri shared that his parents never allowed him to do this. There was no differentiation in treatment between him and his older brother, “ek was groot gemaak met die houding van dat die lewe skuld jou niks.”

The Herbst family

He recalls looking for his shoes and going to his parents telling them that he could not find his shoes. His dad would then simply tell him that he needs to open his eyes and go look for them again. Hendri gave the biggest smile and said, “Ek gaan toe maar terug en wragtig, daar kry ek my pantoffels”. At times, the tough love might not have been easy to give, or to receive, but Hendri’s parents knew that they could not raise him to be dependent on them. He was too talented to sit at home and feel helpless. They did achieve their goal; as he is traveling the world with his guide dog Stan; he is married to a beautiful woman; and he is busy with his second degree at Stellenbosch University. He is also a Paralympics medalist: the highest honour in an individual sport like swimming.

Hendri and his wife

For five years Hendri had to walk without his guide dog, Stan. One is only able to apply for a guide dog from the age of eighteen. After waiting for so many years it took eighteen more months after applying for the dog for the match to be made. Nonetheless, from the start of 2012, Stan was on Hendri’s side. Stan was the perfect match as he also enjoys a good swim. However, at times Stan thinks that Hendri is shorter than what he actually is. A few years back at a tournament in Durban, as Hendri was on his way to race in the finals, he suddenly found himself on his bum on the floor, as he walked straight into an electricity box.

Fortunately, there were not many of these instances as Hendri sings Stan’s praises for being one of the best guide dogs ever. A man’s best friend stays a man’s best friend, through thick and thin. And who else than your best friend to be the perfect wingman. One summer’s afternoon in Stellenbosch, Hendri took Stan for a run. As Hendri waited at his car for Stan to return after running on his own, on that day Stan did not return empty handed. An infectious "hello" from a girl, a few heart beats, and Hendri knew that Stan just brought his wife to him. Hendri and Brigitte Glanzmann, who finished her doctorate degree last year in Human Genetics, will be saying “I do” at the end of this year. Brigitte fits in well with the medical family as Hendri’s mother is a qualified speech therapist and as mentioned before his dad is a medical doctor.

Apart from a few colourful moments with Stan, Hendri has also hit his head in the swimming pool a couple of times, “die uitdaging met blind swem is maar om te probeer reguit hou.”

Protective Stan, giving me the look!! 🙂

Although Hendri has the straight swimming under his belt, his other challenge is not knowing where the end of the pool is. Each swimmer may design his own ‘hammer’ which is used to tap them on the head, to indicate where the edge of the pool is. Each swimmer is also allowed to indicate his/her own distance of when to receive the tap. Hendri uses a modified fishing rod with a soft ball at the end, and receives his tap with two strokes left before he needs to turn around, and one stroke left before he touch to finish. There were a few times when he did not feel the tap and face planted against the edge of the swimming pool. During World Champs 2015 in Scotland, he was tapped ahead of the two stokes left, and as he turned around he kicked what felt like an ocean of just water, “dit was die aakligste ooit.” He then had to turn back and swim back to the edge.

Although Hendri is living a very successful life, it is not without challenges, and at times challenges beyond his control. Hendri wanted to do his honours in Socio- informatics, but was told that the course was too visual for him to continue, although he cum-lauded that part of his degree. He consequently started to study a new degree, and should finish his LLB postgraduate next year. One other challenge is not being allowed to bring Stan into certain restaurants, “dis soos om vir iemand in n rolstoel te sê: los jou rolstoel buite.”

Notwithstanding, Hendri keeps his mind occupied with the positive side of life. It reminded me of a scripture in Philippians 4:8 “Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

I was encouraged by Hendri’s positive outlook on life, and all the things he has already achieved. He will be participating in three events at the Rio Paralympics. He is ranked second

Hendri is indeed an inspiration to not only those who are blind, but all of us who are faced with loss and disappointment. He kept on moving straight ahead, in the pool and in all other aspects of his life.

 https://www.beeconectar.com/post/just-keep-straight-hendri-herbst

'Completing my doctoral degree is equivalent to the Olympic Games' — Hendri Herbst

Paralympic medal-winning swimmer is the first blind student at Stellenbosch University to be awarded an LLD

15 December 2023

Paralympian Hendri Herbst, who received his his doctoral degree (LLD) in Mercantile Law at Stellenbosch University on Friday, believes that disability should not be an excuse for not achieving excellence.

Blind South African Paralympic swimmer and medal winner Hendri Herbst is the perfect embodiment of the saying “where there is a will, there is a way”. Not only has he excelled in sport, this week he also reached the pinnacle of academic success when he obtained his doctoral degree (LLD) in mercantile law at Stellenbosch University. 

Hailing from Letsitele near Tzaneen in Limpopo, Herbst is the first blind student at the university to be awarded an LLD, and receive a joint doctorate from the law faculty and Hasselt University in Belgium.

Reflecting on his latest accomplishment, Herbst said he is proud but also relieved to have crossed the finish line.

“A PhD is a long road and, to a large extent, an extremely lonely journey,” he said. 

“I had to overcome a few obstacles, especially during the pandemic when it was difficult to access literature and prescribed sources. Sometimes I had to work through as many as 20 books just to write one paragraph. I had to listen to each book to decide whether I could use it or not.”

To access sources, Herbst used a text-to-speech computer screen reader programme and software that converts image PDFs into readable text. He was able to discuss his work with his supervisors through online meetings, e-mails and WhatsApp messages.

His supervisors, Dr Izelle du Plessis from Stellenbosh University and Prof Dr Niels Appermont from Hasselt University, also provided feedback via voice notes. 

Asked how a doctorate compares to his sporting achievements, Herbst said his sporting career has been a lifetime of dedication. “A PhD is a long, winding road until the end when the pressure is released. 

“Both required absolute sacrifice, but in very different ways. I was rewarded more in the short term with my swimming. I had to wait four years to achieve success with a PhD. I would say completing my LLD was equivalent to the Olympic Games!” 

For his doctorate, Herbst, who is also a tax specialist, evaluated South Africa’s income tax regime for trusts by comparing the South African position with that of the UK and Belgium, with the aim of making it more investor-friendly. He chose this topic because it combined two aspects of law he found interesting — the law of trusts and tax law. 

“South Africa is currently facing a multitude of economic, political and social challenges. By adopting the appropriate tax policies, the tax system can be leveraged to unlock the country’s potential through investment, thereby aiding resolving its challenges.”

There definitely were some lessons from my days as a swimmer that I could use during my doctoral studies. I learnt that just as in sport, perseverance, dedication and sacrifice also yield results in academia

When things got tough, Herbst was able to draw on his experiences as a world-class swimmer. 

“There definitely were some lessons from my days as a swimmer that I could use during my doctoral studies. I learnt that just as in sport, perseverance, dedication and sacrifice also yield results in academia.” 

Herbst’s perseverance also impressed Du Plessis. 

“Our entire faculty and I are very proud of Hendri’s exceptional performance. He showed so much perseverance to achieve this degree, not only because he is blind but also because he had to work on his LLD through the difficult Covid-19 period. 

“Hendri is a remarkable and very intelligent person with the ability to process and remember large amounts of information. He is a very bright lawyer who can identify and research problems thoroughly and come up with solutions.” 

Echoing Du Plessis’ sentiments, Appermont described him as a stellar legal scholar who “wrote his dissertation under difficult circumstances but was able to overcome them and defend his thesis in a brilliant manner”. 

“As one of his supervisors, I never had the feeling that either Izelle or I were asked to ‘hold the pen’. Hendri is a very independent researcher, for whom we primarily acted as a sounding board. In a certain way, Hendri was his own supervisor.” 

In addition to receiving an LLD, Paralympic and World Championship medal winner Herbst also received the Rector’s Award for outstanding sports achievement

https://renmere.co.za/portfolio-items/hendri-herbst/

Kevin Paul was born in Port Elizabeth in June 1991. He was disabled swimmer who competed at three Olympic Games winning two gold and a silver medal in his event - the SB9 100m breaststroke.

He matriculated from Grey High School and swam with coach Brian Elliot of the Aquabear Swimming Club. He was a multiple winner in the disabled section of the local Redhouse River Mile.

In 2014 he moved to Durban, where he swam with coach Graham Hill.

Born with no pectoral muscles in the left side of his chest as a result of Poland Syndrome, Kevin's left arm is slightly shorter than his right and he has adapted his stroke to swim predominately with his shoulder muscles.

He swims in the S10 disability category for freestyle, backstroke and butterfly and the SB9 category for breaststroke.

Kevin also set a number of world records in the breaststroke events over 50, 100 and 200 m.

After the 2016 Olympic Games, he took up a coaching position at the FitRepublic club in Dubai.

World record for Paul

March 29, 2010

Beijing Paralympics swimmer and home-town favourite, Kevin Paul, capped the second day of the Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled in Port Elizabeth with a world record in the 50-metre breaststroke event at the Newton Park Swimming Pool.

 Paul, who competes in the S10 class, set a time of 31.66 seconds (previous record 31.82) in the one-length sprint. He now holds the world marks in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events.

 I was confident that I could do it. I’ve been setting good times in training and was merely waiting for an IPC (International Paralympic Committee) event to make it official.

 The 18-year-old law student at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University said he was extremely happy with his performance as his training was aimed at the world championships in the Netherlands in August.

Disabled swimmer sets world record

18 April 2012

 Kevin Paul raised the standard another notch with a new world record on the second day of the SA National Swimming Championships and Olympic trials at Kings Park in Durban last night.

The Eastern Province star was competing in the S1-S13 category for swimmers with disabilities in the 100 metre breaststroke when he clocked an amazing 1:05,94 to better the old mark by 0,02 seconds and pencil his name in the Paralympic team that will take part in London later this year.

SA Paralympic star contemplates life away from competitive swimming after Dubai offer

 21 September 2016

 Three-time Paralympic Games swimming medalist Kevin Paul will be shifting focus after claiming gold in Rio recently.

 After winning three medals in three Paralympic Games‚ Paul has agreed to take up a sports administration and swimming coaching job in Dubai.

 “I’ve now been to three Paralympic Games‚ it’s been a long haul. I’m very happy and fortunate for the opportunities that have come my way‚” the decorated swimmer told Times Media Digital.

“I have another opportunity now in the United Arab Emirates. I will be moving to Dubai where I have been offered a job there.

“It’s great that I will still be involved with swimming and sport‚ and will still have the opportunity to train and compete. I am looking forward to the future.

"I am going to be working at a place called Fit Republik‚ it will involve swimming coaching‚ administration.”

The Port Elizabeth-born swimming star shot to fame when he claimed gold as a 17-year-old at the 2008 Games in Beijing in the 100m breaststroke‚ an event he has dominated since.

 In 2012 he returned with silver from the London Games before reclaiming his crown in Brazil and earning Team SA’s first gold medal at this year’s event.

 Does this mean it is the end of the road for the former Grey High School pupil in terms of representing South Africa at international events?

 Paul has not yet made a decision on whether the Rio Games were his last as an athlete.

 While the 25-year-old - who has been based in Durban under the mentorship of revered swimming coach Graham Hill since completing his schooling seven years ago - will be working in Dubai‚ he will also have an opportunity to continue with his training.

 He revealed that he will only make a final decision on whether to continue swimming competitively if he feels that he can still compete at a top level.

 “I won’t count it out‚” Paul said.

 “Four years is a very long time to keep yourself motivated. I will have the opportunity to continue to train there (Dubai)‚ so I will see how the training goes.

 “As a proud South African I don’t want to wear the green and gold when I don’t feel like I am at peak performance.

 "If I feel I can still make the country proud‚ then I will again put that green cap on.

 "If I feel I am not‚ then it will be time to step aside and let the youngsters come through.”

 Following his Paralympic medals and numerous world championship titles‚ Paul is regarded as one of the top 100m breaststroke swimmers and has earned himself legendary status.

 What legacy would he like to leave in the sport?

 “Medals and performances are one thing‚ but I think I have learnt so many life lessons through all these travels‚ performances and competitions‚” Paul said.

 “One thing I always believe is that your name is the first gift you receive in life and also the last thing people will remember when you pass one day.

 "I just want people to remember my name in a good way‚ not necessarily as the gold medallist‚ but rather to leave an imprint and legacy in a way to make the most of what you’ve got.

 "Stop complaining because there are people with much less than you out there.” 

Meet The Coaches

22 January 2017

Kevin Paul has more than 20 years swimming experience from around the World. He has a huge impact on his swimmers as his story is not only impressive but also inspiring.

 Kevin is a Paralympic Gold and Silver Medalist, and also current World Champion and Record Holder! He is a personal trainer and coaches our squads and teaches adult classes.</p>

BR Performance Studios Makes Waves at Saudi Arabia’s First Kids Swim Competition

Scott competed in two Paralympics and the 2002 COmmonwealth Games in Manchester. His first Games were in the 2000 Summer Paralympic Games where he won silver in both the 50m and 100m freestyle, adding a bronze in the 100m butterfly and finishing fifth in the 200m medley.

In the 2004 Summer Paralympic Games he again won silver in the 100m freestyle, but could only manage bronze in the 50m freestyle. He did however add silvers in both the 400m freestyle and 100m butterfly.

In Manchester he won a silver medal in the 100m freestyle EAD.

At the 2002 IPC Swimming World Championships in Argentina, Scoot won gold in two events. 

IPC members approve the new Classification Code at Extraordinary General Assembly

The 2025 IPC Classification Code, which was approved on 17 May 2024, aims to ensure standardisation and harmonisation within the Paralympic Movement17 May 2024 

In January 2021 by the IPC Governing Board established a Code Review Team chaired by two-time Paralympian Scott Field.

Andrew Parsons, President, said: “The new IPC 2025 Classification Code delivers on a promise I made to the 2019 IPC General Assembly that improving classification would be my top priority.

I am quite sure that if all the athletes at the London Paralympic Games were asked on their opinion of the current Classification Code, the majority of athletes would probably not have any idea what the Classification Code is.

I am an experienced former S13 (visually impaired - VI) swimmer and until I was asked to join the IPC Classification Committee I had never heard of this Code.

Classification is vital to the success and growth of para-sport at all levels of competition.

Classification is what differentiates Paralympic sports from all other sports. It ensures Paralympic athletes can achieve sporting excellence, regardless of whether they have a severe or minimal impairment. Underpinning classification in all the sports of the Paralympic Movement is the Athlete’s Classification Code and the accompanying International Standards. The IPC wants to ensure that these are fit for purpose in our ever-changing world. We will be calling on all stakeholders to assist in strengthening Paralympic classification by assisting us with suggested amendments to these policy documents during the review period. It is an exciting opportunity for all to play their part in creating a better, more equitable Paralympic Movement.

24 Oct 2000: Mark Maciej (silver) of Poland, Paul Barnett (gold) of Australia and Hannes Venter (bronze) of South Africa during the medal presentaion for the Mens 100M Breaststroke SB9 Final held at Olympic Park during the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games,Sydney, Australia.DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Scott Barbour.

Hannes competed in 6 events at the IPC Swimming World Championships Christchurch 1998 (Christchurch, New Zealand).

In 2000 at the Sydney Paralympic Games, he won bronze in the Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB9 and silver in the Men's 50 m Freestyle S10.