AN outing to Port Durnford beach on Sunday ended in tragedy for the Myeni family of Bhambatha Hostel in eSikhaleni, when their son, nine-year-old Thandokuhle, drowned.
‘We were all in the water enjoying ourselves when I saw my son waving and disappearing in front of our eyes,’ said distraught father Thokozani.
‘It all happened so quickly. We tried to reach him, but the strong waves made it impossible. We were five in all, myself, my three children and their friend.
‘All I’m praying for now is to at least get the body of my boy so as to have final closure.
‘I have made peace with the fact that my boy has been lost to the family, but we would like to see the end of this chapter,’ said Thokozani.
Photo Thando Ndlovu
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‘Even though I have accepted the situation, the memory of this incident will remain forever etched in my mind.
‘As a Christian I have no one to blame. God is the only one who has all the answers.
‘I’m also appealing to other faith-based organisations to pray for us in these difficult times. We have taken a knock, especially my wife.’
Thandokuhle was in Grade 3 at Xhaphozini Primary School in eSikhaleni.
The incident has brought repeated reminders from professional lifeguards as the busy summer beach season commences.
These include advice to only swim at place and times when there are lifeguards on duty, to not swim alone, to not venture out further than one can stand, to assess conditions before going into the water, and to not swim when alcohol has been consumed.
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