A teenager who drowned at Durban’s North Beach last Saturday was laid to rest in her home village of Sankontshe, near Hammarsdale. At least 3 students were drowned and 17 were injured, and around 100 people received first aid after being caught in a rip tide at the crowded beach. During an emotional funeral attended by students from Gabi Gabi High School, community members said their final goodbyes to Sbongakonke Ntsele, 16, expressing their deep sadness at her loss. Doris Ndlovu, speaking on behalf of Ntsele’s neighbors and the group of friends she was a part of, said that she was still in shock over the news and couldn’t imagine the pain Ntsele’s family was going through.
Ndlovu described Ntsele as a central figure in the students’ group and praised her as the epitome of a young, obedient and bright young girl. Ntsele’s best friend, Akhona Langa, 16, said they were inseparable and that Ntsele had planned to pursue a career in health sciences. Gabi Gabi High’s deputy principal, Zilungile Malinga, said Ntsele’s loss was a big blow for the school, as she was part of the science stream and had been expected to excel in her studies. KwaZulu-Natal police are investigating the drownings, and the incident has brought attention to the training and accreditation of lifeguards at Durban’s beachfront, with ActionSA calling for the closure of the beaches.