‘He was my hope ... he wanted more from life’

QHAMANI Mabula, one of the boys who tragically drowned in Buffalo River this week, died before fulfilling his biggest dream – buying a house for his mother.

“They called out my name as a sign to indicate they were still safe and I also called out their names.

“But when I called to them again, they did not respond,” said Liyema.

“I came to look for them and their clothes were still on the ground. When I looked at the water I saw bubbles and some movement and that’s when I went to look for help.”

Kwakhanya’s mother Nokuthula Festile-Sofe said she especially missed his smile.

“He was a good child, he was very friendly and had a beautiful smile,” she said.

Festile-Sofe said at first she did not believe that her son had drowned.

“He had never gone (to the river) before.

“When I heard about this (his death) I did not believe it.

“I thought he was just hiding there somewhere until I saw his clothes.

“Then I knew,” the devastated mother said.

A date has not yet been set for the funeral. —