Two Mitchell’s Plain men, who ran into the water at Small Bay to save a drowning man, have been honoured as heroes in Table View.
Director of City law enforcement Robbie Roberts presented Nadeem de Roos and Rashaad Roghay with bravery awards at the Table View Ratepayers’ Association (TVRA) meeting on Wednesday April 3.
Held at Church on the Rise in Blouberg Rise, certificates of appreciation, medals and gift bags were handed out to individuals and TVRA members who have made a difference in the community.
Mr De Roos and Mr Roghay pulled the drowning man out of the water on New Year’s Day – swimming at angle to beat the rip current: it was advice Mr De Roos said he had coincidentally read on a beach sign moments earlier.
Mr De Roos and Mr Roghay had performed CPR on the man for 40 minutes until lifeguards showed up and took over. However, it was too late for the victim who could not be revived.
“It’s something I’ll remember forever,” said Mr De Roos.
He thanked the TVRA for the recognition, saying it was a lovely gesture, especially coming from a community he was not even a part of.
Mr Roghay said he had been shaken on the day but had later realised he had done all he could. He said he had never expected to be recognised with an award.
“The fact that we were invited to be a part of the ceremony shows the togetherness of the community,” said Mr Roghay.
Mr Roberts thanked the men for their efforts and commitment, saying the two had gone beyond the call of duty on that fateful day.
“We lost 15 people to drowning over the festive season. We don’t want to lose anyone to drowning,” he said.
