He was eulogized in the neighbourhood as a young man with a good character. He always talked about providing for his family. But his dreams, some lofty, could not be realized.

Ntevheleni Ndou (29), a married father of two and respected fisherman, met an untimely death at Nandoni Dam last week.

His canoe capsized during a fishing trip and he drowned. His death has sent the community into deep mourning.

His fishing partner, Thomas Shandukani, who was with him during the incident, said they decided to venture into the water at about 18:00 on Thursday. "It was our normal routine to go and check our nets at specific spots and also put out new ones," said a sad Shundukani.

Shandukani said there were heavy waves that made him scared and he alighted before they reached the spot where their nets were. "My friend was about to put out the last net when a heavy wave swept the canoe and he slipped and fell into the water," said a confused Shandukani.

He watched in disbelief as the drama unfolded, his friend trying to cling to some shrubs in a vain attempt to save his life. "I rushed into the water in an effort to rescue my friend but the waves were too strong and my life was also in danger," he said. "There was nothing I could do to save him and I watched helplessly as he was swept away from me and he disappeared into the deep belly of the water," he said with grief written on his face.

Shandukani, who was close to tears, said it was very painful to have lost a friend like Ndou. "He was like a brother to me. He was everything to me and life will never be same again," he said.

He said they encouraged each other in a positive way and things were really going their way as he was about to finish his two-roomed house and Shandukani´s three rooms were complete. He said he ran home and informed other members of the community, who summoned the police.

Word spread quickly throughout the surrounding villages and within minutes, scores of people lined the banks of the river and kept vigil, waiting for divers from Polokwane to arrive and retrieve the body.

On their arrival, the operation took less than 30 minutes and the body was brought to the shore in a small boat. A local traditional leader was overheard rebuking Shandukani as to why they were fishing in the evening.

"It happened and this cannot be reversed. There is nothing we can do; let us accept it as it is," was his answer.

A brother of the deceased, Fhatuwani Ndou, said they had lost a focused young man who had the interests of his family at heart.

He said his brother was ready to help wherever possible and was dedicated to his new family of three." He was in the process of finishing his two-roomed house from the money he made from selling fish," he said. Fhatuwani said he was concerned about what would become of Ndou´s young family." It is a tragic loss and no one will replace him", said the sad brother. "My brother was well loved and will be sorely missed," he said.

A local Sanco leader, Mr Moses Ramuhashi, questioned the security at the dam, saying that people entered the dam through many entrances and there was no proper control. "Just last week, three lives were lost in this dam and we feel that more are still going to die if nothing is done to improve the situation. With unemployment rife in our area, many of our youths are tempted to venture into fishing as it is the only way out of their poverty," he fumed.

Ramuhashi said the Department of Water Affairs was leaving the lives of the community at risk by not fencing the dam where everybody can enter at will anywhere.

He also called for the deployment of trained lifesavers that will be at hand to help those in danger. He also said the residents should be trained in survival skills that would help them in times of need. He also called for awareness campaigns in all villages that are close to the dam. He said he had approached the disaster management section at Thulamela about the issues. "The time for cheap politicking has passed; this is the time for action and these people should do something for us as we are dying," he said.

The senior manager of protection services at Thulamela, Mr Ndengheza Masangu, confirmed the meeting and said he regarded their case as urgent. He said urgent measures would be taken to educate the community about the dangers of the water. "We cannot just sit down and fold our arms while our people perish; we will definitely help them," he said. Masangu said they were in the process of arranging a meeting with the community wherein issues concerning their safety at the dam would be discussed.

The Nandoni dam has become a popular picnic and fishing spot in the Limpopo Province and many people regard it as the best place to spend time away from the towns.

The spokesperson for the Limpopo police in Vhembe District, Captain Mashudu Malelo, confirmed the incident and said an inquest docket had been opened. Malelo said as police they were worried about the many deaths that are reported at this time of the year, due to drowning and crocodile attacks. Malelo cautioned those who might be tempted to venture into the waters to take extra precautions.