WATCH: Heroes of dramatic Grootdraai Dam rescue honoured

Staff Reporter

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has honoured rescuers involved in a high-risk operation at Grootdraai Dam, a Wilderness surfer who helped save a struggling swimmer and two volunteers who have each given 55 years of service to the organisation.

The awards were presented at the NSRI’s 59th Annual General Meeting and Awards Evening at Club Mykonos in Langebaan.

The ceremony recognised acts of bravery and gallantry as well as distinguished and long service. Under the NSRI’s awards system, Bravery Awards are presented to civilians, while Gallantry Awards recognise NSRI crew members.

NSRI Chairperson Jonathan Velloza, who presented the awards, said the ceremony celebrated both individual acts and the contribution made by people supporting the organisation.

“Tonight we honour extraordinary courage and lifelong commitment. Every award represents not only individual bravery but also the collective spirit of the NSRI, volunteers, families, partners, and supporters working together to save lives,” he said.

The evening’s top honours went to members of the rescue team and a civilian involved in an operation at Grootdraai Dam in Mpumalanga on 29 December 2025.

Four men on a leisure outing were left in danger after their ski-boat suffered engine failure and was blown onto the dam wall, trapping them at the edge of the spillway.

The men entered the water and clung to the vessel, which was being held in place only by its motor, while rapidly flowing water following heavy rains threatened to sweep them over a 40-metre drop.

NSRI Witbank responded by towing its rescue craft, Harvey’s Fibreglass, about 140km to the dam.

When the team arrived, the South African Police Service, Delta 1 Search and Rescue, Police K9 Search and Rescue, Mpumalanga Fire and Rescue Services and Government Health EMS were already at the scene but had been unable to reach