Dedicated lifesaver hailed
LIFESAVER Sabelo Ndlovu, 27, racked up 675 voluntary hours of patrolling Durban’s South Beach, earning him Lifesaver SA’s top patroller of the year award.
Ndlovu, based at the Marine Surf Lifesaving Club, South Beach, is so committed to keeping bathers safe, he even missed his brother’s funeral to patrol.
The former Queensburgh Boys’ High pupil decided he wanted to become a lifesaver after watching Baywatch on television while growing up.
“The main guy, David Hasselhoff, was my hero,” he laughs, adding that “I was always down at the beach. Now my office is at the beach”.
While it might seem like a dream job, it involves a lot of hard work. This week, Ndlovu passed the Inflatable Rescue Boat Crewman test.
“When I am not working, I run every morning, I go for a swim during the day and will run again in the afternoon. I also do a bit of weights, but most of my time is spent in the water.” His favourite stroke is butterfly. “I have done quite a few rescues, from mass rescues to one-on-one.
“To be a lifesaver, you have to be a people’s person, and you have to be very fit.
“When I get out there to someone in difficulty, I have to be able to reassure the person and remain calm.
“And when we have done a successful rescue, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
He adds that most swimmers get into trouble in the water because of rip tides, while bluebottles also caused problems.
When Ndlovu is not at the beach, he enjoys spending time with friends.
Looking ahead, he says: “I really want to surf those waves in Hawaii.”
Provincial chief examiner for Lifesaving KZN, Deon Woodley, who is also based at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club, said: “Sabelo qualified as a lifeguard in 2009. He is a voluntary member and is here virtually every weekend and on public holidays.
“That is commitment dedication.” and