Leo Mostert, 14, a junior lifesaver received a certificate of recognition for bravery and compassionate service from the City of Cape Town after saving the life of a drowning man, last year.
The certificate was handed over by City speaker Felicity Purchase at the Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club on Sunday January 16.
Ms Purchase thanked Leo for his brave deed and encouraged nippers to work hard so they could follow in his footsteps.
Leo noticed a man in the shallow water near Clovelly last year while walking his dogs. He called out to bystanders and ran into the water to help the man.
He pulled the man out of the water, and, with the help of bystanders, carried him to the sand before getting help from the lifesaving club (“Junior lifesaver saves man from drowning,” Echo, December 16).
His mother, Laureen Mostert, said it was nice to see the City recognising her son’s bravery.
“We as parents are truly proud of Leo, not just for what he has done or achieved but for the way he is handling it with great modesty,” she said.
Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club chairman Ernst Singe said it was wonderful to have the support and recognition of the community.
“We are very proud of our long-standing nipper and junior lifesaving programme in Fish Hoek,” he said.