Thusalushaka Drowning

Two children from World Vision’s Thusalushaka Area Development Programme (ADP), in Limpopo Province, South Africa, last week drowned when they were swept by the river.
The sad incident happened on January 16 and the ADP manager, Maria Kgabo, confirmed the deaths saying burial is set for this weekend.
Another community member from the area also drowned as the water levels continue to rise following incessant rains which fell in the province for the greater part of last week leaving a trail of destruction.
The two children Comfort Mpoko (ID 173642-4057) aged 10 and Lovedonia Selema (ID173642-7018) aged 9, were swept by the river trying to recover a shoe the former had inadvertently dropped in the swelling water.
Comfort and Lovedonia were in the company of two other children who did not take part in the bid to recover the shoe and were not harmed.
The other two children are the ones who related what happened.
Comfort and Lovedonia are said to have left home, on the pretext of going to play and then decided to go to the nearest shopping centre to buy snacks. The parents were not aware that the children had gone to the shops.
The tragedy happened when the children were trying to cross the flooded river to the shops.
The ADP Manager said this was the first time that such a tragedy had taken place in the area.
“We have met and talked with the councillor, the education circuit manager and Social workers and we agreed that we should go to the school and talk about the dangers of flooded rivers. We will also take the opportunity during the memorial service for the two children on Thursday to raise the issue of protecting the children,” said Maria, the ADP manager.
Children play and cross at the place where the tragedy took place and Maria said it was time something was done.
“We will advocate so that a bridge is built to make crossing safer and easier since this might happen again,” adds Maria.
Maria said the families faced challenges meeting the funeral expenses.
“One family lost other family members last year. The ADP contributed R500 for each household. The councillor negotiated funeral assistance from Maiteko Funeral service (a local funeral service company). While the school principal mobilized business around the area to donate towards the funeral expenses,” adds Maria.
The other community member, Joyce Sepataka drowned on Saturday afternoon after she was swept by the river in Thakgalang village. Joyce had her grandchild with her who was reportedly saved by alert community members who failed to rescue the grandmother.
Thusalushaka ADP manager said the area received heavy rains on a daily basis for more than a week.
It is estimated that 110 millimetres of rains were received in the area causing extensive damage to roads, houses and infrastructure.
Mud huts were destroyed leaving some families without shelter and have since been issued with tents for temporary accommodation. Some families have also been moved out of their houses as it was realised that it was no longer safe to continue staying there. An incident was reported in the area where a four year old girl injured her arm after their house fell in. The child was admitted at the local hospital.