'Boeta, we will find you': Gauteng teen disappears snorkelling on Mozambique matric trip
MISSING: Rikus Kylander, 18.
Image: SUPPLIED
“Lord, lead us to where he is, and may we find him safe and unharmed.”
For Rikus Kylander’s parents, that prayer is running through their minds over and over again as they wait for news of their missing son.
The 18-year-old, of Krugersdorp, Gauteng, disappeared under the water while snorkelling during a matric holiday with friends at Ponta do Ouro, a town in the extreme south of Mozambique, on Thursday.
Speaking to IOL, Rikus’s distraught sister, Clarise Kylander, said he went into the water with a group of friends at about 1pm.
“They all went snorkelling together and later came out at the same place,” she said.
“When they came out, they realised Rikus was not there, and they immediately contacted the police and lifeguards.”
His very worried mother, Anzél, and father, Donovan, arrived in the coastal town to help search for him early on Friday morning.
A missing person report was opened with Mozambique police, and search-and-rescue teams were deployed.
Rikus, who is roughly 1.8m tall, was a matric pupil at Noordheuwel High this year and had travelled to Mozambique with a large group of friends to celebrate the end of his school years.
The group of about 12 arrived on Tuesday.
“He was last seen wearing navy blue swimming shorts,” Clarise, 24, said.
“He is physically fit, with dark blonde to brown hair.”
Clarise said the family was worried sick.
She said since the news broke, their parents have been praying non-stop.
“They are praying that Rikus is safe, that he can hear the Lord’s voice, that his eyes will open, and he will look for us.
"They are also praying that the Lord will guide us to where he is and that we find him safe and unharmed.”
She said as the time ticks by, the family grows more anxious, watching and waiting for any sign of Rikus.
"We, including my parents, arrived here [in Mozambique] this [Friday] morning at about 5am.
"We are continuously looking for him."
Clarise said according to ocean drift modelling software consulted by those assisting the family, currents may have carried Rikus south, possibly towards the Sodwana Bay area.
“Based on this information, we are organising search parties on foot to cover remote stretches of beach, dunes and nearby bush,” she said.
“We are also appealing for assistance from drone operators to help search the coastline and surrounding terrain.
“We also need people with drones to assist us.”
Noordheuwel High also posted a message on its Facebook page.
“Rikus is currently missing in Mozambique,” it said.
“He and a group of friends went snorkelling yesterday.
“Let us please pray for this wonderful young man and his family.”
The ocean around Ponta do Ouro is known for being deceptively treacherous.
Though the beach is famed for its beauty, currents and undertows have led to dangerous situations in the past, and drownings and rescue operations are not unheard of along this stretch of coastline, particularly during busy holiday periods.
In a recent festive season assessment, authorities reported drownings at Ponta do Ouro and several other Mozambican beaches, alongside multiple rescues of swimmers pulled out by currents.
According to the National Maritime Institute, a total of seven people drowned on Mozambique’s beaches over last year's festive season.
Drownings were recorded on Fernão Veloso beach in Nampula province, Inos in Cabo Delgado, Nova and Veleiro beaches in Sofala province, Bilene in Gaza province, and at Macaneta and Ponta do Ouro.
- Clarise said anyone with information can contact her on 082-659-0238.
IOL News