Durban - A 17-year-old boy who was among three schoolchildren who drowned at Margate beach on Saturday evening died a hero, trying to save others.
A pupil of Bongumusa High School in Swayimane, who did not wish to be named, said Siyanda Buthelezi saved her life.
“There were two others who were drowning and he went to save them afterwards,” she said, adding that he did not come back to shore.
The search for his body continued on Monday.
The bodies of Nomvula Zondi, 14, and Zanele Vidima, 15, were recovered the same day.
The children went with their school on a one-day trip to play netball and soccer at a school in Gcima and stopped at the beach afterwards.
The drownings happened at about 5.30pm, after the lifeguards had finished their shifts.
It is believed that while the children were playing and swimming in the water, they were caught in a rip current. At one stage, six children were seen to be in difficulty.
Bystanders went to assist.
Siyanda’s brother Lucky was with the family on the beach on Monday waiting for his body to be found. He said they had been told by many people that his brother had saved other children from drowning.
Lucky said the family had many questions.
“We are not blaming the school, but where were the teachers at the time? Why were they allowed to swim after the lifeguards went off duty?” he said.
Nomvula’s and Zanele’s parents blamed the school and teachers for the tragedy. Their views were supported by angry community members.
Read: School outing to Margate ends in tragedy
The principle, Mr Khanyile, said he could not comment to the media as only the department spokesman was authorised to do so.
He also said it would be a waste of time speaking to the drowned children’s family as he told them not to talk to the media and they would refer questions back to the school.
Nomvula’s father, Bongani Zondi, was livid about the headmaster calling him to say he should not comment.
From what he had heard, from the other children and “people there”, the teachers had gone drinking and left the children in the bus.
“The children got tired and went into the water.”
He said when he found out about the drowning, he called teachers who kept saying “they could not hear me”. He added that they later switched their phones off.
“I hope they get arrested, even though that will not bring back my child.”
He said his daughter was very excited about her first school trip and knew during the week that they would be visiting the beach.
But Zanele’s family said they were not told. Her grandmother, Tholakele Vidima, said there was nothing mentioned in the consent form.
It was also her granddaughter’s first school trip and she too was excited and could not wait. She said the teachers were busy “taking selfies and photographs of each other” and were not interested in the children.
Department spokesman Sicelo Khuzwayo said they were trying to piece together what happened and would not comment on the allegations. He said counselling was being provided to the pupils, teachers and parents.
The Mercury