Kim Engelbrecht’s acting breakthrough came about, curiously enough, as a result of her swimming skills. Aged just 12, she landed the lead role in Sarahsara, a film based on the true story of a Sudanese girl who swam 35km to salvation. Not only did the budding young actress bag an Italian Golden Globe nomination for the role, but it proved to be an auspicious start to an acting career that would go “swimmingly” in years to come. Kim was propelled into the national spotlight when she landed the part of Lolly de Klerk in the popular and critically acclaimed soapie Isidingo. It was the role of a lifetime, and allowed the young actress to develop her talent and her profile over the 10 happy years that she spent with the daily serial.