A family fun day at Bloubergstrand Beach took a dramatic turn as a Heideveld father bravely risked his own life to rescue two drowning mense.
But Brandon Janeke, 28, says that he didn’t hesitate to jump into the deurmekaar branders to save a man and a woman at the beach on Saturday.
He says the man was trying to help the woman with a floatie but started to struggle himself because the waves were rof.
Brandon explains: “He couldn’t move, he was tired of the waves hitting him. He was floating and shouting for help, I went closer, and I pulled him a bit closer to me.
“I then went underwater to take his hand and pulled him closer, the other guys then pulled him further out.
“It was just hectic, I almost died as well because the waves were hitting us.
Considering his limited swimming experience, Brandon says the conditions at Bloubergstrand were anything but calm that day.
He tells the Daily Voice: “When I came to the beach, I thought to myself that the waves were hectic, [seeing] how it pulled back with a lot of force.
“There was also a ditch that the sand was making.
After the incident, the dad says he’s not planning on visiting the popular Bloubergstrand Beach any time soon.
He adds: “If it was me [in trouble], I would have someone do whatever it takes to get me out of the water, no one wants to die like that.
“I can't see another human being die. I was thinking about my child but I was also thinking, what if it was me?”
Community Medics confirmed the incident, stating that the individuals involved were in stable condition.
Brandon also pointed out that there were no lifeguards visible at the beach.
The hero dad says: “That people should at least get a lifeguard on that beach if anyone is going to attempt to swim there.”
Ward councillor Jonathan Mills says lifeguard presence is mainly during peak swimming season, and the City is in the process of recruiting seasonal lifeguards.
Mills adds: “The City will continue with its deployment plans, we must take Mother Nature for granted.
“The sea is a very powerful force. Thanks a lot to the community's quick action and organisation who responded.”
A witness, Janine Roode Becker, who was at the beach, took to Facebook to give a shout-out to the dad, saying Brandon deserves some recognition and an award for his bravery.
She wrote: “Your mother can be proud that she raised a son who didn't think twice to rescue the 2 women. Cape Town needs more people like you.”
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis also commended the bravery of Janeka.
“The City commends Brandon for his bravery in selflessly swimming into rough seas to rescue a woman from drowning. The community of Heideveld and all Capetonians can be extremely proud of this young man who risked his own life to save another, alongside several other heroes who are yet to be identified.
“It is incredible that these ordinary beachgoers staged this heroic rescue without thinking twice, and saved a life in the process,” said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
The incident occurred along a stretch of Table View coastline which experiences regular rip currents and is outside of the designated swimming areas at Big Bay and Milnerton where lifeguards are based. No fatalities were reported on the day along the Table Bay coastline.
As the festive season approaches, the City has deployed lifeguards to 29 different beaches, tidal pools and stretches of coast between the hours of 10:00 and 18:00.
To date, 241 seasonal lifeguards have been recruited and deployed to manage the influx to beaches.
Mayco Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross called on the public to only swim at designated areas where dedicated and professional lifeguards are.
"Please adhere to the rules, and support them, so that we can ensure a safe and memorable beach experience for everyone.“
byron.lukas@inl.co.za