POWERFUL LINE-UP OF OVER 100 CELEBS PARTICIPATE IN THE FIFTH ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE NEXT MONTH

With under a month to go until the 5^th annual Special Olympics South Africa Polar Plunge kicks off, the organization today officially announced a first glimpse of the list of well-known personalities backing the event this year, and helping raise funds to send the Special Olympics South Africa (SOSA)  National Team to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Russia in January, 2022.

SOSA has not only received overwhelming support from both the athletes and their families, but also media, celebrities and corporate South Africa over the past four years. Participants commit to taking the plunge into a pool with 5 tons of ice in it! Most participants also commit to a “plunge fee” which goes to the organisation for various programmes and initiatives. 
 
The fifth edition of the Polar Plunge powered by media giant and on-going partner YFM, will take place on Saturday, the 18^th September at the popular Altitude Beach in Fourways. 
 
The focus for this year’s Plunge will be on raising funds for the SOSA National Team participating in the 2022 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Kazan, Russia next year. Last year over R80 000 was raised which was used for food parcels for Special Olympics athletes and their families that have been left destitute during lockdown.
 
               Ancilla Smith, CEO of the SOSA, adds “ The Polar Plunge has become a signature annual event for Special Olympics South Africa and we are overwhelmed by the support that we continue to receive from the participating celebrities, the media and our corporate partners. Outside of the funds that are raised every year, the Plunge showcases a South Africa that is inclusive and accepting of people living with an intellectual disability. Coming in on the heels of the Olympic Games and the upcoming Paralympic games, this year’s Plunge will invite support for our third Olympic National Team, the Special Olympics South Africa National Team. They deserve the same recognition and support as they prepare to travel to Russia in 2022 to represent South Africa on a global stage.”
Supporters keen to get involved can donate here:  https://www.backabuddy.co.za/2021-special-olympics

Sadly due to the on-going restrictions, we cannot invite spectators but the plunge will be live-streamed on Special Olympics South Africa social media platforms. Plungers will be staggered to adhere to the restrictions and a number of plungers that are not able to attend will be plunging remotely. 
 
This year’s list of celebrities, Special Olympics South Africa (SOSA) ambassadors and other well-known individuals confirmed so far to participate this year include:

1. Kim Jayde (Well-known media personality and SOSA Ambassador)
2. Mark Fish (Football legend and SOSA Ambassador)
3. DJ Sabby Mtshali (Radio Host)
4. Rouge (Hip Hop Artist) 
5. Thami Kotlolo (Activist)
6. Lala Hirayama (Media Personality / TV Host)
7. MaBlehr (Radio and TV Personality)
8. Eric Macheru (Well-known TV personality)
9. Bujy Bikwa (Multimedia personality / Artist) 
10. Christopher Jafta (TV Personality)
11. Kay Sibiya (TV Personality)
12. Cedric Fourie (TV Personality)
13. Gigi Lamayne (South African artist)
14. Melanie Ramjee AKA Hypress (SOSA Deputy-Chair / Ambassador)
15. Abigail Visagie (TV Personality / Model)
16. Lionel Mapoe’s (South African rugby player)
17. Heather Hook (Radio Personality)
18. Nina Hastie (Comedian) 
19. Penny Lebyane (Activist / Media Personality)
20. Bianca Le Grange (Performing artist)
21. Francois Louw (TV Personality)
22. Taylor Jaye (African artist)  
23. David Arnold Johnson (Artist)
24. Farah Fortune (Speaker / PR Specialist)
25. Clint Brink (Actor and well-known TV personality)
26. KLA (Recording Artist /  Model) 
27. The Smiles – Lex Leo (Performing artist) and Katya (Film Director) 
28. Ricardo da Costa (Entrepreneur / DJ/ Supporter)
29. Kamo Moth (Media personality)
30. Spoken Priestess (DJ)
31. Stacey Holland (Media Personality / Fitness Expert)
32. Kayise Ngqula (Actress / Enterpreneur)
33. Samkelo Ndlovu (Well-known TV personality)
34. Oneida Copper (Olympic swimmer)
35. Thandy Matlaila (Actress / MC)
36. Wardah Hartley (Fitness Expert) 
37. Jarred Doyle (Celebrity Publicist / TV Personality) 
38. Danine Naidoo (Media Personality) 
39. Guy-Gal Conner (Lifestyle Blogger / Brand Influencer)
40. Steero (Recording Artist)
41. Paul Kamanga (Welterweight professional boxer / SOSA Ambassador) 
42. Mark Mac (Entrepreneur / Culture Specialist)
43. Judie Kama (Content Creator, Model and MUA) 
44. Nicole Bessick (Fitness Guru / Actress Extraordinaire)
45. Kuli Roberts (TV and Meaid personality) 
46. The Journalist DJ / Andile Mathobela (DJ / Content Creator)
47. Darren Meltz – More than Food Magazine
48. DJ Sebastian  (Artist / Entrepreneur) 
49. Paledi (Fashion Designer) 
50. Phil Mphela (TV and Media Personality)
51. Mulisa Mudau (TV Personality)
52. Sbu Shongwe (Actor and SOSA Ambassador)
53. Simphiwe ‘Shorty’ Dludlu
54. Ninel Musson (Entrepreneur / Music Industry Key player) 
55. Clarrisa Manacas (SOSA Support / Brand Influencer)
56. Lucille Slaffa (Award winning Businesswomen)
57. Cyprian (Media Personality)
58. Tarryn Louch (Media Personality)
59. Courtnae Paul (B Girl / Choreographer / DJ)
60. 37MPH (Music Producer) 
61. 2Lee Stark (Artist) 
62. Team Carve Africa (Fashion Designers)
63. Angie Santana (Artist)
64. Belinda Netshipise (Entrepreneur, Personal Trainer)
65. Special Olympics SA CEO Ancilla Smith and the National Office Staff 

 
*** ENDS***

FOR EDITORS NOTE

About Special Olympics – Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968, and celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 5 million athletes and Unified partners in more than 170 countries. With the support of more than 1 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers Olympic type and over 108,000 games and competitions
 THE POLAR PLUNGE
Founded in the US, the Polar Plunge is an annual fundraiser presented by Special Olympics USA as a fun and unique opportunity for individuals, organizations and businesses to support Special Olympics athletes by raising money to jump into frigid Icy waters.
The Plunge has been supported by a number of celebrities in the United States including Lady Gaga, Jimmy Fallon, Vince Vaughn, Dax Shepard, Alec Baldwin, Johnny Knoxville and the Mayor of New York amongst others.