Boy drowns in Swakopmund pool

A 12-year-old boy drowned in the Swakopmund swimming pool on Saturday.

Motjana Tjaveondja of Mondesa, who went swimming with two friends, was found at the bottom of the Olympic-size pool at around 14h45, according to Alan Boulter of the Sea Rescue Institute of Namibia (SRIN). Boulter said indications were that he had been at the bottom for a while before he was discovered.An SRIN member, Jaco Blaauw, who was just outside the pool at the time, immediately tried to resuscitate him.”He carried on for about 15 minutes until International SOS arrived, but they could also not help him,” said Boulter.The Swakopmund Municipality does not have a permanent lifeguard on duty at the swimming pool.Lifeguards are appointed at the pool and the main beach only during the December holidays.Tjaveondja’s two friends were still in shock and not able to talk about what had happened, an aunt of the deceased told The Namibian.Tjaveondja, the only son and youngest of four children, was a Grade 6 pupil at the Atlantic Primary School.”He was an above average achiever and has never failed a grade,” said his aunt.Boulter said indications were that he had been at the bottom for a while before he was discovered. An SRIN member, Jaco Blaauw, who was just outside the pool at the time, immediately tried to resuscitate him. “He carried on for about 15 minutes until International SOS arrived, but they could also not help him,” said Boulter. The Swakopmund Municipality does not have a permanent lifeguard on duty at the swimming pool. Lifeguards are appointed at the pool and the main beach only during the December holidays. Tjaveondja’s two friends were still in shock and not able to talk about what had happened, an aunt of the deceased told The Namibian. Tjaveondja, the only son and youngest of four children, was a Grade 6 pupil at the Atlantic Primary School. “He was an above average achiever and has never failed a grade,” said his aunt.