South African 'legendary sea swimmer' dies

A South African swimmer who has made more crossings between Cape Town and Robben Island than any other person has died.

Theodore Yach, 60, had completed the challenge 108 times.

He usually followed an 11-km (7-mile) route between the island, where Nelson Mandela and other senior political figures were jailed during the years of apartheid, and the mainland.

He died in hospital while undergoing what were described as routine tests for asthma.

Regional premier Helen Zille has backed calls for an annual swimming event from Robben Island to be renamed after Mr Yach.