A joyous day turned into tragedy last week when an event that was supposed to the pinnacle of a young man’s spiritual experience led to his death…

A member of the Jerusalem Apostle Church of God at Shigalo, under the leadership of Pastor James Mandlati, the 20-year-old Vincent Mathebula drowned during the baptism of new members at the Luvuvhu River near Shigalo village nearly a fortnight ago. He officiated at the ceremony.

"I will change this family." These are the words that will always be in the mind of Mrs Mjaji Mathebula of Xigalo village, outside Malamulele. The words were used time and again by Vincent, the only son among her five children. Vincent did not live to see his dreams realized …

"Vincent was the apple of my eye. He always respected everybody and he was beloved in the community," said his sad mother. She said her husband was working in Johannesburg and Vincent was the only one who stayed with her at home. Her other four children are girls and all of them are married.

"My son liked his books and excelled in mathematics. He used to tell me that he was going to become a doctor and that he would change this family," she said with tears streaming down her cheeks. "Life will never be the same without him. All our expectations were blown into thin air; I am out of my mind," she said

She said what worries her most is the way he died. "I was told that he was overpowered by the water during the baptismal ceremony, but his fellow congregants failed to rescue him as they were afraid of the unpredictable water. Why would they leave my only son to die the way he did?" she cried.

Mathebula said she would be happy if the church could be decent enough and give her a formal explanation about the incident. "I accept what happened as the will of God, but I still have many unanswered questions," she said.

A close friend off Vincent, Gift Chauke, witnessed the incident and said the accident left him devastated. "As friends we used to admire whatever he did. We looked up to him for guidance and help all the time," he said.

Gift said the baptismal ceremony had ended well and they were on their way home when they met two other new members of the church. "They told us they had been delayed, but they also wished to be baptized," said Gift. He said they went back to the river and Vincent was officiating at the baptism ceremony when he lost his footing and drowned.

He said they were very confused and did not know what to do. Vincent was later pulled out of the water. Gift said they administered first aid to Vincent and took him to the clinic, where he was certified dead on arrival.

The head pastor of the church, Pastor James Mandlati, said the incident was unfortunate. He said the death was a terrible blow to the congregation as the boy showed real leadership skills since his baptism last year. "As church, we put everything in the hands of God and we will continue praying that He comfort the family," said Mr Daniel Mabasa, an educator of Nkatini High School where Vincent was doing his Grade 11.

Vincent was buried on Saturday.