9-year old Deaf South African, Thapelo Tambani, to receive posthumous award for bravery

There is a sad story of a 9-year old Deaf boy from South Africa, Thapelo Tambani, who drowned as he tried to save a friend. 

This happened last year and he will receive a posthumous honor from South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, who will award him with the Order of Mendi for Bravery in Silver. It is one of the highest awards in the country. 

An article on “Information Nigeria” from last year explained that Tambani was playing with friends on a heap of sand near a construction site with a trench that was filled with water. One of his friends slipped into the trench and got stuck in mud. 

Tambani rushed to save his friend, but he slipped into the water and went underneath. His brother tried to save him, but it was too late. His body was pulled out later that evening. 

Tambani was a student at the Transoranje School for the Deaf. 

Tambani will be recognized with the award on April 25, during the same “National Orders” ceremony where another Deaf South African, Braam Jordaan, will be honored with the Order of the Baobab in Silver. 

Tambani’s parents will attend the ceremony to accept the award. 

Jordaan told “The Daily Moth” that he was touched by Tambani’s story and that he is a hero because he sacrificed his life to save another. 

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