Lifesaver honoured for rescue act

Somerset West resident Mark Pedersen has been recognised for his actions during a rescue mission at Strand Beach which resulted in him saving not one, but two people.

- CARMEN JACOBS

He received the I&J Lifesaving Cape Town Heroes Award at a ceremony held at the Two Oceans Aquarium on Saturday, June 21.

He said: “I'm really not the type of person motivated by recognition and awards - that’s just not how I’m wired, but I’m really grateful and hopeful that this award can inspire other children to join the nippers and learn how to save lives.”

The I&J Lifesaving Cape Town Heroes Awards is an annual event, launched in 2019 and organised through a partnership between sponsor I&J and Lifesaving Cape Town. It aims to honour lifeguards for saving people during the previous summer season.

Lifesaving Cape Town said the objective of the event is to shine a light on the heroic acts of lifeguards. “The purpose of the event is to give recognition to some of Cape Town's Lifeguards who have performed selfless rescues not only during duty hours but also outside of them. The rescue is not limited to being in Cape Town. Many rescues are performed off duty and when on holiday,” they said.

Nominations are submitted by Cape Town lifesaving clubs, gathered from media reports, and put forward by family or friends. Mr Pedersen was nominated by Diane Craemer, a Lifesaving Cape Town volunteer, after she read about the incident in the media.