Cedric Mkhize Dives with Tiger Sharks

Friday 28th November is a day Cedric Mkhize will never forget. He was off the coast at Park Rynie on the KZN South Coast attempting something he could never have imagined. To highlight and support the plight of sharks worldwide this brave young man - a former Shark himself - volunteered to free-dive with wild, free-roaming Tiger sharks!

Cedric Mkhize made his Sharks debut against the Griquas in 2005. He played six games, scoring three tries. He was also a member of the squad that won the Under 21 World Cup in 2005. Cedric represented the Sharks at Super 14 level and scored four tries and was known on the field for his elusive side step and beaming smile. Unfortunately, this former Sharks backliner was injured in August 2007 in a car accident and is currently confined to a wheelchair, though gainfully employed since his accident by Sibaya Casino Entertainment Kingdom. However, Cedric is a fighter, a survivor - like a true tiger shark - and he realised he had to make the best of the situation, face the challenge, remain positive and move forward!

Accompanied by the Wild Limited TV crew, a research scientist and Rugby Legends Pieter Muller and John Allan, Cedric also had Hanli Prinsloo alongside - five times SA record holder for ladies free-diving, a free-dive champion holding 4 of the 6 South African Free-diving records.

Hanli coached Cedric for his big challenge - to beat the unofficial paraplegic free-dive record of 11 metres, 55 seconds set in Turkey, obviously with no sharks involved. Cedric was aiming at 1 minute, 15 metres and dove all of 26 metres - amongst the sharks! The attempt will sadly be unofficial as there is no paraplegic category in the official AIDA standings (AIDA = worldwide federation for breath-hold diving). Nevertheless, it will be documented, and it can hopefully open a path for setting some new categories in the future for free-diving.

Look out for Cedric on Wild Limited, hosted by Michelle Garforth on SABC 2 and on eLan Rugby legends on DSTV.