The article reports on the tragic drownings of two young boys, Volkmar Kahana and Nhawa Jonas, in northern Namibia. Volkmar attempted to rescue Jonas while fishing, resulting in both of their deaths. The Oshana police are addressing rising concerns about child drownings linked to unsupervised children, emphasizing the need for community awareness and education.
The tragic incident involving the drowning of 11-year-old Volkmar Kahana and six-year-old Nhawa Jonas has left a void in the Grade 5D classroom at Oshakati West Primary School. This unfortunate event occurred on a Saturday while the children were fishing. Despite Volkmar’s brave attempt to rescue Jonas from the pond, both boys drowned. Volkmar’s sister called for help when he did not surface, but they were already beyond saving by the time help arrived.
Volkmar’s principal described him as bright and academically promising, stating, “[Volkmar] was very bright, very quiet. He had a promising future ahead of him when it comes to academics. He would get awards.” Volkmar was laid to rest the day after the incident in Oshakati.
The Oshana police recovered the bodies of the boys with the assistance of the Special Reserve Force. In response to the rising concerns about child drownings, Commissioner Ismael Basson noted that the police are engaging with communities to raise awareness about the risks associated with unsupervised children, especially in environments where they could drown. Voice and concern were raised regarding four cases of child abuse on the court roll linked to drownings occurring while children were left unattended.
Commissioner Basson highlighted, “The drownings where minors are involved is as a result of [children] being left alone in the house while parents, guardians or caretakers were either at the cucashops or cultivating their fields.” This alarming trend has prompted the authorities to focus on educational initiatives aimed at preventing such tragedies in the future.
The tragic drownings of Volkmar Kahana and Nhawa Jonas underscore a critical issue regarding child safety and supervision. The community’s response, led by local authorities, aims to address the growing concern about children being left unattended near water hazards. Increased education and parental guidance on safety are essential to prevent further incidents of this nature.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
