Owethu and Tumelo Mahan are making waves in sport, academics, and faith, living out their calling both in the pool and in their walk with Christ. Image: University of Pretoria.
(The Post News)– Between lecture halls and international pools, University of Pretoria (UP) students Tumelo (18) and Owethu Mahan (20) are balancing high-performance swimming, academic excellence, and their walk with Jesus.
The brothers, both studying towards BCom degrees, have quickly risen through the ranks at Tuks Swimming, representing both UP and South Africa on global stages. Their journey began with basic water safety lessons in primary school and grew into a competitive passion that led them to UP’s elite swim club, TuksSport. Now they regularly compete in freestyle and butterfly events, often against each other. “We definitely push one another,” says Owethu. “It’s great knowing someone close is in the next lane.”
Despite the demanding schedule, Tumelo credits discipline and clear boundaries for keeping balance. “When I study, I give it my full attention. When I train, I give that my all. Both areas sharpen each other.”
UP has been part of their story since childhood, from early science camps to extra maths classes. So choosing it for their studies and swimming careers felt right. “This place has always felt like home,” they say.
Their faith, though, is what truly anchors them. “They’ve walked with God from an early age, and He’s stayed with them every step,” says their father, Dana Mahan, an academic advisor at UP. “Their faith gives them values like kindness and generosity, which make them better swimmers. And swimming teaches them dedication, making them stronger followers of Jesus.”
With international appearances on the horizon, Owethu is heading to the FISU Games in Germany and Tumelo to the Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia; the brothers remain driven, grateful, and grounded in their purpose.
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