When you think of heroes, images of firefighters or soldiers often come to mind.
But in South Africa, there’s another group of courageous individuals whose bravery often goes unnoticed—those who plunge into dangerous waters to save others.
Recently, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) gathered to honour these selfless acts at their annual awards ceremony in Lagoon Beach, Cape Town.
This marked the 58th year the NSRI has celebrated the fearless efforts of both volunteers and civilians dedicated to saving lives at sea.
Civilians and Crew Members Honoured for Bravery
At the NSRI Awards, civilians are recognised under the “Bravery” category, while NSRI crew members receive “Gallantry” awards for their daring rescues.
Andrew Ingram, the NSRI’s communication manager, described the event as a moving celebration of courage and community, noting, “The evening was a powerful reminder that the NSRI is built on courage, commitment, and community.”
Young Lifesaver Faces a Deadly Rip Current
One of the evening’s standout stories was that of 16-year-old Keegan Lowe.
Last November, he faced a powerful rip current at Pennington Beach in KwaZulu-Natal to rescue three teenagers who had been caught in the treacherous waters.
Keegan’s fearless actions earned him the NSRI Bronze Bravery Award—a well-deserved recognition for such a young hero.
NSRI Rescue Swimmer Confronts Towering Waves
Joao Felizardo, a trained NSRI rescue swimmer stationed in Port Alfred, also received accolades for his bravery.
He tackled four-metre-high waves to save 42-year-old Eldrien Jooste, who had clung to rocks at the Kowie River Mouth to avoid being swept away.
Joao’s daring effort highlights the extreme risks NSRI crew members face to save lives every day.
A Team Rescue in Oyster Bay
In a challenging mission along the Eastern Cape coastline, a team effort led to the rescue of a 74-year-old hiker trapped at the Elands River Mouth in Oyster Bay.
Four individuals were honoured for their roles in this rescue: Sheldon Swaartbooi, an EMS paramedic, received the Bronze Bravery Award; Caro Oosthuizen and Johan Strydom, NSRI crew members, earned Gallantry Bronze; and Lodewyk van Rensburg, an NSRI Coxswain, was awarded the Meritorious Service Award.
Honouring Decades of Dedication
The ceremony also paid tribute to the extraordinary dedication of long-serving NSRI members.
Brad Geyser and Rob Stirrat were recognised for 50 years of service, while Howard Godfrey received an award for an incredible 55 years.
NSRI Chairperson Jonny Velloza expressed his gratitude to all awardees, saying, “Tonight, we honour extraordinary courage and lifelong commitment.
Every award represents not only individual bravery but also the collective spirit of the NSRI—volunteers, families, partners, and supporters working together to save lives.”
