CAPE TOWN – As the mast of Alexforbes Angel Wings collapsed around him in the early hours of Tuesday morning 3 February, Masiphumelele skipper Sibusiso “Sibu” Sizatu’s mind raced through years of maritime training while fighting to keep his crew safe in increasingly dangerous conditions.
Sizatu formed part of the six-member Alexforbes Angel Wings crew that won the 3 300-nautical mile race on Saturday 10 January and who made history as the first youth team from the Cape Flats to claim first place on handicap.
However, Sailing vessel Alexforbes Angel Wings was abandoned approximately 1 448 kilometres south-east of Rio de Janeiro at 02:30 on Monday 3 February after suffering a complete dismasting that left the crew unable to continue their voyage to Cape Town.
Yet through the aid of the South African Navy, the sailors were safely rescued and brought ashore to the Naval Base in Simon’s Town on Thursday morning, 12 February after their yacht suffered catastrophic damage during their homeward journey.
People’s Post spoke with the skipper Sizatu who recalled his fears and how he used his training to guide his fellow sailors through the crisis.
He found himself facing every sailor’s nightmare – a complete dismasting 1,448 kilometres from land with limited fuel and worsening weather threatening his crew’s survival.
Calm leadership under pressure
“Being calm at sea is very important – it helps you have a clear mindset and be able to make clear decisions,” Sizatu reflected on those critical hours.
As the yacht’s situation deteriorated, the experienced skipper drew on fundamental sailing principles that had been drilled into him throughout his career.
“Safety is the expert when delivering a boat and making sure you keep good record on weather – try not to push the boat,” he explained, describing the mental calculations that guided his decision-making process during the crisis.
Stressful hours
For Sizatu, the most challenging aspect wasn’t the personal danger, but his responsibility for his crew’s welfare.
“The most stressful part was trying to make sure we sort out the boat without making any holes to the boat and also making sure the crew is safe with no injuries,” he said.
With first mate Tshepo Renaldo Mohale and Andrea Myburg looking to him for leadership, Sizatu fell back on the team dynamics that had carried them to Cape2Rio victory just weeks earlier.
“So I kept telling my crew that this is something we once trained for – we need to just work as a team and we will be okay,” he recalled, his voice steady despite the memory of those harrowing moments.
Waiting for rescue
The next 2.5 hours tested every ounce of the crew’s resolve as they waited for rescue coordination between South African and Brazilian maritime authorities to take effect.
During those endless minutes, Sizatu’s training kicked in – maintaining calm, preserving resources, and keeping his crew focused on survival rather than panic.
Family support
Even as the rescue unfolded, Sizatu’s family chose to focus on celebrating the Cape2Rio triumph rather than dwelling on the near-disaster.
“My family focused more on the victory of Cape to Rio race than the incident that happened on my way back,” he noted gratefully. “I guess they are just making sure I don’t get stressed and keeping me positive.”
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