In the wake of a devastating tragedy at Umhlanga Beach, Wendy Chetty is transforming her grief into a powerful advocacy campaign, raising awareness about non-swimming beaches and urging for improved safety measures to prevent further losses of life.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (23 July 2023) – Amidst the heartbreak of losing her precious daughter, Wendy Chetty is turning her pain into a powerful force for change.
On the 2nd of July, Wendy and her family embarked on a small outing to Durban Park, celebrating the 7th birthday of their beloved daughter, Hannah Zoe Grace. After cutting a cake and having a modest celebration with immediate family, they decided to walk along the shoreline of the picturesque Umhlanga Beach, right below the park.
The sun was shining, and the water seemed calm as they walked with their feet barely touching the surface. Little did they know that within moments, their lives would be forever changed. As the wind picked up and the sea suddenly became rough, a massive freak wave struck, pulling Wendy and her three children into the water.
“We were all walking along the shoreline with the water barely reaching our ankles,” the mom explained.
In the blink of an eye, panic and desperation set in. Strangers on the beach rushed to help, and Wendy’s husband displayed superhuman strength to save their older children. But another monstrous wave crashed down, snatching away their precious Hannah. Despite the heroic efforts of those on the scene and the paramedics working tirelessly, young Hannah could not be revived. The family’s world shattered, and grief enveloped them like an unyielding tide.
In the face of such tragedy, the heartbroken mom is choosing to channel her sorrow into a life-saving mission.
Reflecting on the incident, Wendy realised that they were unaware of the beach’s history of accidents. She learned that just a few months before their visit, a Russian tourist had tragically drowned in the same waters. With a heavy heart, Wendy says that if they had known about the dangers of the beach, they would never have taken even the smallest risk.
But in the midst of her grief, the mom emerged with a resolute purpose – to raise awareness about non-swimming beaches and advocate for improved safety measures along our coastlines.
“There has to be more visible ‘no swimming boards,’ and there are also no lifeguards there,” Wendy emphasizes. Her aim is to ensure that no other families experience the heartbreak she has endured. “I would never want this tragedy to befall anyone,” she passionately states.
Despite facing financial difficulties, Wendy refuses to be silenced. She is determined to spread awareness about the potential dangers of non-swimming beaches, and she believes that no life should be lost due to a lack of information. The mom’s courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss have inspired us all. Through her advocacy, she seeks the support of public figures and the wider community to amplify her life-saving campaign. By sharing her story and shedding light on the importance of beach safety, we can collectively make a difference and prevent further tragedies.
In the darkest of times, Wendy Chetty has emerged as a beacon of strength and hope. Let us stand by her side and join her in the mission to protect lives and ensure that no more families endure such heartbreaking loss. Together, we can create a safer environment for all beachgoers and honour the memory of little Hannah Zoe Grace.
A crowdfunding page has been set up to assist the family in their time of need.
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