Young heroine applauded for saving near-drowning victim

Mvelozinhle Mthembu has been making headlines in KZN for being a local heroine.

The 10-year-old was with her family at a mid-South Coast hotel, when she saved the life of a child younger than her. The child had a near-drowning incident in the hotel pool.

“At first, I was unaware of the girl being in trouble because I was playing by myself, and a woman close by was playing with her little child,” explained Mvelo.

However, they noticed the girl was experiencing difficulties. “The woman called me and said: ‘nana, go help her; she is drowning’. When I turned around and saw the girl struggling to breathe, I got scared and swam straight to her. I held her up to stay afloat and started swimming out of the water.”

Mvelo said that the child was difficult for her to hold up in the water, but she tried her best and gave it her all to pull her out.

“I did it! I was very scared when I started losing control a bit because she was heavy, but I managed.”

After her selfless act, the hotel presented her with a lifesaving certificate and thanked her for her quick thinking and bravery.

The young heroine is currently a Grade 4 learner at Amanzimtoti Primary School.

She began swimming classes in 2023. Due to financial constraints, she was unable to continue this year. She hopes that she is once again able to continue her classes next year to make her an even stronger swimmer.

“I think it is very important for children and even adults to learn how to swim,” said Mvelo.

“It is a lifesaving skill because you can save not only yourself but others too. And I feel very excited to know I was able to save someone’s life.”

The Mthembu family is exceptionally proud of little Mvelo and hopes that her story encourages more people to be kinder to one another, develop swimming skills and always have an eye on children when near water.

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