A rescue effort at Strand Beach turned tragic after emergency services recovered the body of a 39-year-old man from the surf, while police and community members continue an extensive search for a missing 22-year-old former national youth weightlifting champion.

The incident unfolded last Wednesday afternoon (2 September) when a swimmer got into difficulty in choppy waters at Strand Beach. Two colleagues rushed into the sea to assist.

While an unidentified surfer managed to pull the swimmer to safety, the two rescuers were caught in powerful rip currents and swept out to sea.

Early on Thursday morning (3 September), emergency services were alerted to a body floating in the Helderberg Protected Marine Area near the Lourens River mouth. Rescue teams from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Gordon’s Bay station, police divers and Western Cape Government Health EMS responded to retrieve the deceased. Authorities believe the recovered body is that of the 39-year-old from Mfuleni, pending formal identification by his family.

Strand police have opened an inquest docket, while trauma counsellors and police are providing support to the grieving family.

Search operations remained active over the weekend and into Monday (7 September) for the second missing rescuer, a 22-year-old Belhar resident identified as Slade van der Walt.

An accomplished athlete, Van der Walt was crowned South African Youth Weightlifting Champion in 2019, won three gold and three silver medals at the 2019 African Youth and Junior Championships, and was named Best Youth Male at the 2021 Western Province Championships.

With the Water Policing and Diving Service continuing surf zone operations, Van der Walt’s family and friends have mobilised volunteer search parties to comb the coastline, extending from Strand, Macassar and Gordon’s Bay to Strandfontein and Hout Bay.

Close friend Wayne Steenberg issued an urgent call for additional volunteers. “We had a call-out over the weekend at various beaches, including Hout Bay, Gordon’s Bay and Strandfontein,” he said. “It’s been extremely difficult for his family. We are still searching today and hopefully we’ll find more people to help us search. It’s been really difficult for the family, who are now seeking closure.”