Back in 2008, Xolela Mpetsheni began his career at the Two Oceans Aquarium as a feeding supervisor, responsible for sorting and distributing food to the animals, ensuring they were well fed and cared for.
While he enjoyed his role, working closely with the aquarium’s divers and aquarists ignited an interest in the world of diving.
Fuelled by this newfound passion, Xolela began engaging with divers at the aquarium, seeking to learn more about the ins and outs of their job. Whenever possible, he shadowed them to better understand the intricacies of diving.
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As his passion grew stronger, it caught the attention of his supervisor at the time, Clair Taylor. With her support, Xolela embarked on a journey to become a diver himself.
Although Xolela could swim, he needed to reach the higher level of proficiency required for diving. He eagerly took swimming lessons and soon completed his Open Water dive course. This achievement allowed him to start snorkelling and cleaning the smaller exhibits at the aquarium, precisely where he wanted to be.
Seizing the opportunity, Xolela applied for and successfully secured an Aquarist position, blending his newfound skills with a growing passion for his work. He bid farewell to his role in the kitchen to begin an exciting new chapter as an Aquarist.
But Xolela’s journey didn’t stop there. He seized another opportunity to enrol in a Class 6 Commercial Diving course, the first of its kind in South Africa. Upon completion, Xolela earned the certification to dive inside every exhibit at the Two Oceans Aquarium and feed the fish. His determination and hard work paid off, and he achieved his ultimate goal.
Responding to questions about his diving experience, Xolela said his first memory of diving was at the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit and feeding the sharks.
‘I was diving alongside two other divers, and I was on the left side, which is known as the slow side, as the sharks do not approach that side very often. After feeding a big squid to one of the sharks, it began to shake the squid around in its mouth, creating a ‘cloud’, which made it difficult to see,’ he reflected.
‘At this time, I felt my dive buddy tap me on the shoulder in an attempt to stop the dive. I ignored the signal as I saw the shark’s nose approaching me. I then decided to reach out for more food and continued the feed instead of ending the dive.’
Xolela shared with the Two Oceans Aquarium his deep love for diving, emphasising that it brings him an unparalleled sense of peace and detachment from the outside world.
‘I simply enjoy diving more than anything else. When I’m in the water, I forget about everything else, and I’m at peace,’ he explained.
Reflecting on his own diving journey, Xolela was asked if learning to dive was a challenging process.
He replied, ‘Yes, I would say it was quite easy to physically and practically learn to dive. However, certain commercial dive courses require you to learn some theory, which can be challenging but is definitely worth it. For those looking to dive for fun and as a hobby, the Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water courses are lots of fun and a good place to start.’
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When asked for advice to offer aspiring divers, Xolela’s answer was both encouraging and straightforward.
‘Diving is simple enough. I always say that if somebody is able to do something right in front of me, that means that I’m able to do it as well. I think the most important thing to do is listen and learn from those who are teaching you and who have done it before.’
Xolela’s journey from a feeding supervisor to a certified diver and aquarist is an inspiring tale for anyone who has ever harboured a desire to pursue something yet hesitated to take that first step. His story serves as a powerful motivator to start one’s own journey into the world of diving.
Sometimes, it’s stories like Xolela’s that can push others to take that plunge and dive in, just as he did.
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Picture: Two Oceans Aquarium
