On Sunday 2 June, while the community of Pharare outside Tzaneen were reveling in a soccer tournament, a devoted paramedic went above the call of duty to help an injured player.

It was a Top 8 soccer tournament organisered by Pharare Shining Stars FC to bring together soccer clubs to battle for the big prize. During one of the games, a player got injured and help was sent out to the paramedics. “When we saw how much pain the player was in, we called for help from the paramedics.

Unfortunately, they took too much time to get there. What we were lucky to realise was that we had a paramedic amongst us at the ground who was off-duty but still willing to help the injured player,” stated Phafras Lelope.

Sipho Mathipa fractured his leg and was unable to continue playing. It was stated that the off-duty paramedic, Mohale Ratwaga, then rushed to his house to fetch his first aid kit and on his return, he assisted the injured Mathipa.

“We just wanted to thank Ratwaga for his help. The mood around the tournament had started to go sour but with his step into action, all returned to a festive mood,” exclaimed Lelope.

Mathipa is said to be currently admitted at Dr CN Phatudi Hospital where he is receiving treatment.