He risks his life to save the lives of others on a daily basis - but that does not matter, because his passion is to see everyone enjoy the wonderful gift of life from God.

When a life is lost, his duty is to make sure that the body is retrieved from wherever it is, no matter how dangerous the place might be, so that the deceased can be given a dignified send-off. That is the daily life experiences of Constable Thinavhuyo Lloyd Sivhagi (28) of Vuwani-Tshitungulwane, the only search-and-rescue SAPS officer in the Thohoyandou policing area. He is a member of the Thohoyandou Dog Unit and prides himself on his job wherever he goes.

Sivhagi rose above all odds when he made a name for himself by playing a major role during the search for and retrieval of the bodies of three Indians who drowned in the Nandoni Dam last month. He admits that many people fear to venture into what he does because they consider the job more than risky. "I work in dangerous places like cliffs, mountains, rivers, gorges, dams and thick bushes. I never feel guilty about my job because that is what I choose for myself. There is nothing more interesting than doing a job that you enjoy. To me, search and rescue is no longer a job, but part of my daily life."

He encourages young people to follow in his footsteps because there is a great demand for rescuers in the country. "We even do not have enough divers and I sometimes depend on backup from other parts of the country when the need arises. This is a very enjoyable career, provided one has the passion to save life." Sivhagi’s search and rescue training includes high-angle rescue (using of ropes in inaccessible places like cliffs), swift-water rescue, explosive-dog handling, swimming and confined-space rescue, to name but a few. He received some of his training from the Pretoria West Dog School and the Free State.

Because of his dedication and hard work, Sivhagi has also travelled to Zimbabwe, in search of an old man whose footprints crossed the border across the Kruger National Park. He said the worst moment was when he searched and retrieved the leg of person who had been involved in an accident at Mapitas. "His leg was cut off and he was sent to hospital. I searched for his leg for some time until I grabbed it in the bushes near the scene of the accident. My most memorable rescue was when I saved the life of a person who had disappeared for two days in the cliffs of the Gogogo area. The list is endless because I cannot remember all the searches and rescues I have made."

It has been a winding and long road for Sivhagi to be where he is today. The second-born of five kids in the family, Sivhagi saw life from a broader perspective when he was very young. "There was no money to further my education when I completed my Grade 12 in 1999. In 2000, I started repairing shoes and vegetable production to make some money. I saved the little income to buy a bicycle that helped me to sell vegetable and deliver shoes. In 2000, I joined the SAPS as a reservist. A close family relative, Elisa Matshili, paid for my driving school fees in 2001. I applied to the SAPS in 2002 and ended up getting a position in 2003. I started working in Musina before I started my specialized training in 2005."

The commander of the Thohoyandou and Makhado Dog Units, Capt Nico Joubert, says he is very proud of Sivhagi. "He is always available when needed and he works long hours without constant supervision. He knows what he is doing and he sacrifices his time even on weekends and public holidays. We never struggle to get hold of him and his unique skills are contributing to the development of society. He is a hero in his own right."