The family of 9-year-old Moegamat Kamaar from Belhar is still waiting for word of his disappearance after it is assumed he drowned at Sandy Bay on 2 July. The world observed World Drowning Prevention Day on Tuesday.
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The family completed their hike at Sandy Bay, where the boys played on the rocks along with his adopted father, Rubin du Preez, and Du Preez’s 15-year-old grandson. A wave carried Moegamat off the rocks, and he vanished beneath the surface.
In an interview with IOL, Du Preez expressed regret over not having taught Moegamat how to swim because he thought it might have saved his life.
‘I can still hear myself scream his name as he was drowning. Since I got him at the age of 1, it was his first time that day to walk with me up the mountain, and later going to Sandy Bay.’
‘As a family, we are devastated about the situation, but at the same time we can’t fall apart, not until we find his body,’ he said.
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According to Du Preez, the family periodically visited the area in the hopes of finding Moegamat.
‘I have been hiking and going to Sandy Bay for almost 20 years, and I never thought it would end like that. It is so hard to revisit the place, but I can’t rest until we find him or we receive a call telling us that his body has been found.’
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), drowning causes an average of 1 477 fatalities per year in South Africa. Last summer, 27 near drownings and 19 drownings were recorded along the Cape coast, with one near drowning recorded at a public swimming pool.
The drownings took place away from designated swimming areas or when lifeguards were not on duty.
The NSRI emphasised the need for caution along the coast, particularly during spring tides, which can result in rip currents that are stronger than usual.
It said risks increased during tide changes when the high tide peak receded towards low tide.
The NSRI urged people to be cautious and aware of these risks.
The City has committed to running a year-round drowning prevention awareness programme through its Recreation and Parks Department.
In addition to providing safe swimming areas at swimming pools and beaches, it aims to encourage people to learn how to swim and practise water safety.
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Nine-year-old swept away by waves at Sandy Bay, still missing
Picture: NSRI / Facebook
