A VERY promising young school boy from Franschhoek died tragically on Friday, when he drowned in the Robertsvlei dam.
The incident took place during a prefect camp of Franschhoek High School, where Joy Tambwe (13) was head boy of the junior school.
He and six other learners were attending the camp under the supervision of two teachers.
During the afternoon a group of boys, including Joy, were paddling in a canoe on the dam.
It however started to sink and Tambwe, not being able to swim, panicked when he fell into the water.
Eyewitnesses said that the other children and a teacher tried to bring Tambwe to the surface, but he was sinking further into the water.
Eventually he disappeared into the depths.
One of the teachers tried to retrieve his body from under the water but was unable to so.
Members of the police’s diving unit later retrieved his body in the murky depths.
The distraught head of Franschhoek High School, Gerald van der Spuy, said that the entire school was shocked at the death of the promising young student.
“Joy excelled in academics and loved sport. He had a great sense of humour and always had a smile on his face.
“It is a tragic event which occurred and has affected the entire school.
“The teacher who was present, as well as the other prefects, did everything in their ability to save Joy. All their efforts however failed.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his bereaved family following this tragedy.”
