KwaZulu-Natal Matric Boy Drowned While Waiting for Results, SA Devastated

• The family of a boy who drowned in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, was shattered that their son had drowned during the festive season
• The young man, who was waiting for his matric results, was one of the beachgoers who drowned in beaches in the country in December
• His father pleaded with authorities to locate his body so they could afford him a dignified burial

For seven years, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of Current Affairs, South Africa, covered a range of topics, including accidents, fires, outbreaks, nature, weather, and natural disaster-related incidents, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL — The father of a Durban, KwaZulu-Natal matriculant pleaded with authorities to help find the body of his son, who drowned in Durban during the festive season at Pennington Beach, where two others drowned.

According to SABC News, families continued to search for the remains of three swimmers who were swept away on 1 January 2026. Speaking to one of the fathers on 5 January 2026. SABC News spoke to Sthembiso Shelembe, whose son Buhlebakhe Nxumalo drowned on Pennington Beach.

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Parent devastated by drowning

Shelembe said that he found out that his son drowned while at home on the evening of 1 January 2026. Buhlebakhe's cousin, who was with him and whom Buhlebakhe visited in Pinetown, called Shelembe. He said he did not drown because he had not swum.

Shelembe said the most painful part for the family is that his body remains missing. He said the family is devastated, and his mother is grieving.

"We were waiting for the results. He was looking forward to university. It was his dream to do art in school, but now he's gone. It's very painful because even in the house, it still feels like he's there," he said.

Shelembe said his son was visiting his aunts, who decided to visit the beach, where he drowned.

Lifesaving SA urged members of the public to be cautious after the drownings, which took place in Durban, where the bodies of four people were found. The organisation said that lifeguards will be on duty and on alert for the remainder of the festive season.

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Dhaya Sewduth, Lifesaving SA's media director, said that lifeguards rescued a lot of swimmers during the festive season. He also said that there were concerns that there were not enough lifeguards during the festive season as Lifesaving SA's lifeguards volunteer.

Defence Minister mourns death of drowned SANDF members

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, mourned the deaths of two members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The members drowned in Komatipoort on 26 December 2025 while patrolling the borders.

The two soldiers tried to cross the Komati River when they were swept away. One of the members was found on the same day, and the second was found a few days later. Motshekga visited the families of the victims and said the government provided psychosocial services for the grieving families.

Source: Briefly News