Help Shark Victim's Family

Zama Ndamase (16), a talented surfer who received a Surfing South Africa Lotto Scholarship last year, was surfing with his brother, Avuyile, and members of the Second Beach surf club when the attack occurred. SSA has set up a fund to assist the Ndamase family with expenses and contribute to the costs of sending a grief counselor to work with the family and the community, who are devastated at the loss. Zama becomes the fourth fatality in three years.

There is real concern that the surfers who were in the water during the attack will not be able to cope and plans are being made to send a counselor to the area to help the locals handle the tragedy.

The Port St Johns community is poor and there is precious little money to assist the Ndamase family deal with their grief. Nor are there funds available to pay for the costs of sending a counselor to help the community. The Border Surfriders Association and Surfing South Africa are therefore appealing for support to cover these expenses.

According to reports, Zama managed to catch a wave after being bitten and attempted to reach the shore. Tragically he bled to death in the water before he could be reached by the lifeguards and rescue craft.

Zama was one of the most talented surfers to emerge from this remote region and was a leader among the up and coming wave riders in the area. He represented Border at the SA Grommet Games and at the SA Junior Championships in Cape Town last October. He was awarded an SSA Surfing Scholarship in 2009 along with fellow Port St Johns surfer Zitobile Msesiwe.

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Representatives and members of Border Surfriders Association (BSA), Surfing South Africa, Zama’s long time coach and mentor Mike Gatke, his East London based teammates and the local surfers are devastated by the tragedy.

Malcome Logie of the BSA said of Zama “he was a young guy, full of spirit and always ready for a laugh. He was always willing to help his teammates and enjoyed giving the younger surfers encouragement and advice. Border was looking to him to play a leading role in our team this year. His passing leaves us numb and with a huge sense of loss.”