Fochville matriculant recognized for his heroism
He has now been nominated for a national award while the company also helped pay his medical bills.
A schoolboy from Fochville has been nominated for a national award following his heroism during the veld fires that ravaged farms in the Fochville area last month.
Frikkie Tolmay, a matric learner from Hoërskool Fochville, was nominated as this year’s “Plaaspad-held” (farm road hero) by the farming products company Senwes. The company has also donated R50 000 to the Tolmay family to help cover the teenager’s medical expenses.
Frikkie (18) drove his family’s bakkie through a veld fire on his family’s farm Eigenaarsfontein to rescue farm workers and their children on August 11. Frikkie saw that the workers’ houses were almost completely surrounded by fire and that there were women and children trapped inside.
He had the three women and seven small children lie on the back of the bakkie to get to safety. The mothers covered the children to protect them from the flames. During this action Frikkie was, however, badly injured. The teenager sustained fourth-degree burns on his ear, arm and hand, causing significant nerve damage. One of the women also suffered burns on her arm.
According to his mother, Helena, Frikkie had to be operated for his burns twice. He is now trying to recuperate before his matric examinations.
“Our school is incredibly proud of Frikkie for his huge bravery. The principal, personnel and learners are praying for his quick recovery,” says the spokesperson of Hoërskool Fochville, Elsabe de Mesquita.
