Friends and musical colleagues have paid tribute to retired nuclear physicist and viola player Janine Lochrenberg, who died following a shark attack at Orient Beach in KuGompo City (formerly East London) yesterday (October 20). 

Lochrenberg (65), who performed with the Viva Musica Ensemble, sustained severe injuries to her right thigh and arm during the attack. 

Her friend, Mike Loewe, who was also swimming when the attack occurred, said he was devastated by the loss. 

Loewe said he went out to swim with a group, which included Lochrenberg’s partner, Barbara Briceland. 

“Janine was swimming on her own and I was in the water with Barbara when all of a sudden we heard this commotion in the water near the group,” he explained. 

As Loewe and Briceland swam toward the group, they noticed that Lochrenberg was injured.  

Loewe said fellow swimmers, including an advanced life support paramedic and an Olympic swim champion, brought her to shore. 

Severe wounds 

“She had very bad wounds on her right thigh and arm. I tried to clamp one of the wounds and a paramedic tried to revive her, but it was too late,” he added. 

Loewe said that when the mortuary van took her away, the group stood on the beach and said a few words in her honour. 

“She loved the outdoors, camping and music,”

Loewe added, describing her as an accomplished person. 

Tributes 

In a Facebook post, the East London Open Water Swimming group said she was a treasured member of the local open water swimming community, and her death left an enormous hole in their ocean family. 

“She was never one to seek the spotlight, preferring to quietly go about doing what she loved most – swimming in the ocean. But behind her gentle, unassuming nature was someone who contributed so much to our swimming community, always there, always willing and very much a part of the heart of our group,” the post read. 

Happy place 

The group described the ocean as Lochrenberg’s ‘happy place’. 

“It was where she found her joy, and where so many of us were fortunate enough to share special moments with her. We will remember her beautiful smile, her gentle kindness, and the quiet but meaningful presence she brought to our swimming family,” the post continued. 

“Our hearts go out to Janine’s family, and especially to her beloved partner, Barbara, during this unimaginable time. There are simply no words.” 

Music 

Also sharing a tribute on Facebook, Viva Musica Ensemble said she had been a member since the group’s inception in 2018. 

“As a highly gifted musician, her contribution on the viola brought great value to our ensemble,” the post read. 

“Though quiet and unassuming, she kept us on our toes and continually pushed us to reach the highest standards of music possible. Janine will be greatly missed.” 

Beach closure 

Following the incident, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality closed Orient Beach and Eastern Beach. 

Police have also opened an inquest into the incident. 

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