Brave teenager saves man’s life

LEO MOSTERT was off duty on December 3, walking his dogs on the beach with his brother Luka at around 5.30pm, when he saw a man in shallow water near Clovelly.

At first sight, the junior lifeguard at Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club thought it was a swimmer, but then he noticed a crutch floating close to the man and realised he had only one leg.

The man was fully clothed and Leo immediately rushed to assist him.

“He was facing the beach with waves crashing over his face and I asked him if he was okay, but he just looked at me. The man must have been in the water for a long time as he was very weak and non-responsive,” said Leo, 14, who called bystanders to help.

They pulled the man out of the water and carried him to the high level mark (just above the waterline).

“I asked the bystanders to stay with him while I sprinted back to the Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club. I then returned with on-duty lifeguards who helped carry him back to the club.

“Being the first responder is not easy and I had a lot of emotions to deal with. I am grateful to the Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club who supported me.

“I’d like to thank all the lifeguards who helped him after the rescue.”

The speaker of the City of Cape Town, Felicity Purchase, presented a certificate of appreciation to Leo last weekend.

She said: “We are always grateful when someone’s life is saved. It is important to recognise when someone goes above and beyond in order to do the right thing. This is one of those occasions and it is important for others, especially the youth, and nippers in particular, to see how important community service is.”

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis

said: “There are few deeds more significant than saving someone’s life and this is why we wanted to express our sincere gratitude to Leo Mostert.

“Traits such as bravery and kindness should be acknowledged if we want to inspire change and pride in our City. Cape Town is a caring and compassionate place and this is seen in the kindness of the people who live here.”

Leo’s mother Laureen were proud of Leo.

“Being a first responder is not easy, but he was able to assess the situation, make a decision, take control and be brave enough to use the training he received from Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club. We hope this will bring a message across that you don’t have to be in a position to save a life, but you can be in a position to change a life.

“We are all sometimes too afraid to get involved or we are just too wrapped up not to notice.”

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COOLPLAY is proud to continue improving the social and emotional literacy of youths in low- and no-fee schools in the Western Cape through regular sports and life skill sessions under the guidance of role models, in safe spaces.

The organisation uses the power of playing to develop resilience, socially and emotionally, in the children.

CoolPlay CEO Tori Gardner said youth engaged in the programme are reported to have improved resilience to cope with the world around them, a noticeable increase in academic involvement and in-class engagement, improved mental and physical health, greater self-confidence and a sense of community, as well as a positive outlook on gender equity and female empowerment.

The programme has five hubs in the province. These areas have been identified because they have some of the toughest scenarios for children to grow up in and thrive.

“Gangsterism, drugs, alcohol and school drop-outs are prolific in these areas and we’ve found that by offering sport in a safe environment, under the guidance of positive role models, the narrative can be shifted and our learners often rise to become positive contributors to their community,” she said.

Siphenathi Lamani, a young champion from Khayelitsha who joined the programme at the age of 16 and is now 21, said she spent two years with the programme as a youth player and that it changed her life for the better.

“The programme has boosted my personality, confidence and I’m resilient now. Resilience means to bounce back after negative things that have happened in your life. It feels so good to be able to share my lessons and experiences with the learners.”

Another CoolPlay all-time champion is Chenay Abrahams, from Kuils River, who joined the programme at the age of 15 and is now a full-time coach. “It helps me to have confidence in myself and makes me a better person. I’m also much stronger, having learnt how to work with children.”

CoolPlay is in partnership with 21 schools. Programmes offered include after-school sport at primary and high schools as well as its ‘Cool to be Me’ programme, which is delivered in-class from Grades 1 to 4.

CoolPlay relies on grants and donations from organisations and individuals that see the value of developing South African youth socially and emotionally through the magic of sport.