Bluff boy who drowned remembered for his loving nature, bubbly personality

FOUR-YEAR-OLD Eli Mandla Mdletshe, who drowned after it is believed that he slipped and fell into a swimming pool at his home, has been remembered for his loving nature and bubbly personality.

According to paramedics, they received multiple calls for assistance with regards to a drowning incident at a home on The Bluff on December 15, at about 13:45.

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Garrith Jamieson, ALS Paramedics spokesperson, said on arrival at the home, they together, with Netcare 911 and Emer-G-Med paramedics, found Eli in a state of cardiac arrest.

“Advanced life support paramedics immediately began resuscitating the child. Unfortunately, despite lengthy efforts from the paramedics, the child showed no signs of life and was declared deceased at the scene.

“It is alleged that the child fell into the pool and was found in the water before CPR was started. The events leading up to the drowning are unknown, however, SAPS were in attendance and will be investigating,” he said.

Eli’s father, Mandla Mdletshe, who is ward 66 councillor Zoë Solomon’s eldest son, said he was a lovable and sweet boy.

“There are not enough words to describe my son, but he was so special to all of us. He loved cuddles and playing jokes. He was always smiling or laughing.

“He was also very clever and loved school. He was looking forward to his birthday in January, he would have been five. Eli also shared a very close bond with his two-year-old sister, Aria. They were inseparable. We are all in a lot of pain, this loss is unbearable,” he said.

Eli’s mother, Kirsty Forsyth, said there are no words that can describe how much she misses him.

“This gap could never be filled. I am trying to be strong while needing to fall apart, trying to smile instead of breaking down in tears, wanting to live for him without feeling guilty of moving forward without him.

“Every day I have to wake up remembering his gentle soul, his smile and laugh that was so infectious, and every day I just wish I could go back in time to savour those moments, to hug him a little longer and tell him I love him a little more and feel his morning, afternoon and evening cuddles.

“He showed me the true meaning of love and I will forever miss him. But, I am so thankful I got to be his mother even if it was just for five years of his life. I will always remember his words to me every night, ‘Love you more than the moon and the stars and the man on the bakkie’,” she said.

Solomon said she thanked the community for their messages of condolences and support during this difficult time.

Eli’s funeral is expected to take place during the course of the week.

Captain Louise le Roux, the Brighton Beach police spokesperson, said an inquest was being investigated.

The SUN wishes to express our condolences to the bereaved family.

Since the start of the festive season, there have been several drowning incidents at pools and beaches, putting a spotlight on water safety, especially for children.

Among the recent incidents, three people including a teenager drowned and 17 others were injured and had to be taken to hospital after they were hit by a freak wave at the eThekwini Bay of Plenty Beach on December 17.

Craig Lambinon, the spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), a rescue organisation, said it was important that safety was kept in mind whether on inland rivers, lakes, dams, at swimming pools or in and around any body of water.

“We urge parents to ensure that children have responsible adult supervision when swimming or around water, and appeal to everyone to be safe,” he said.

Here are a few water safety-tips to keep in mind when swimming at home and at the beach:

– Learn how to perform CPR. Always be prepared.

– Always supervise your children at home. Adults who are supervising children in or near water must be able to swim. Children should not be able to get through or over barriers such as pool fences to water. Only use child-safe pool fences and child-safe pool covers or nets.

-Remember drowning is silent. Watch children when they are in or near water. Do not be distracted by your cellphone or social media; you need to focus on them and nothing else.

-Swim at beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty and between the lifeguard flags. Teach children that if they swim between the lifeguards flags, the lifeguards will be watching them and can help if there is a problem.

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