President’s Award Breaks Silence After Cameron Waldeck-Cooks’ Tragic Death
- The President’s Award has addressed the tragic death of 17-year-old Cameron Waldeck-Cooks as authorities continue their investigation
- Cameron was pursuing the Gold Award through the youth empowerment programme before her death
- The organisation has offered support to her family while stressing the importance of participant safety and wellbeing
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The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment has broken its silence following the tragic death of 17-year-old Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, saying it is “saddened and shocked” by the loss of the young participant.
In a statement released on Monday, 10 August 2026, the organisation confirmed that Cameron was working towards her Gold Award.
“We are saddened and shocked by the tragic death of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks,” the statement said.
The organisation extended its “thoughts and deepest condolences” to Cameron’s family, friends, school community and others who knew her.
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Cameron was working towards Gold Award
The President’s Award said it was aware that the circumstances surrounding Cameron’s death were being investigated by the relevant authorities.
“At this extraordinarily difficult time, it is important to respect Cameron’s family’s wishes and privacy as they grieve their loss,” the organisation said.
It added that it would provide “whatever assistance is appropriately required” during the investigation.
Cameron’s parents previously said she had travelled to Sabie, Mpumalanga, as part of her efforts to complete requirements for the Gold Award.
President’s Award highlights participant safety
The organisation said the “safety and wellbeing of every young person” taking part in the programme remained its highest priority.
It said it would continue working with schools, volunteers, partners and authorities to maintain a “safe, supportive and enriching environment” for participants.
The statement follows the family’s emotional tribute on 7 August, when Cameron was remembered as “kind-hearted, warm and determined”.
The latest response places the President’s Award among the organisations publicly acknowledging Cameron’s death while the authorities’ investigation continues.
St Stithians faces questions over Cameron Waldeck-Cooks tragedy
Briefly News also reported that St Stithians College came under growing public scrutiny over how it handled the deaths of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks and Ethan Coetzee.
The criticism centred on the school’s public response, with questions raised about how Cameron’s death was acknowledged and whether enough attention was given to the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The controversy intensified as the school issued a Women’s Day statement and Cameron’s family continued calling for sensitivity while the investigation into her death progressed.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
