South Africans are nominating one of the Hoërskool Driehoek walkway collapse heroes for the highest medal of bravery!
Johannesburg, South Africa – On Friday, the 1st February 2019, the country was shocked by the news of a walkway collapse at Hoërskool Driehoek in Vanderbijlpark as the children were leaving the morning assembly to go to their class rooms.
Three pupils: Roydon Olckers, Jandré Steyn and Marli Currie died at the scene, with a fourth, Marnus Nagel perishing from his injuries two days later. 20 children were treated in various hospitals around Gauteng for serious injuries.
After assembly that Friday morning, Roydon, a matric pupil and fellow pupils returned to their classrooms. Like many times before, the learners walked the same path, some over and others under the school’s walkway. Roydon and other pupils went under the walkway that morning.
Caitelin Harris and Denise Fourie, two grade 8 pupils were walking in front of him when the concrete block above them gave way. Roydon realized the danger he and the other pupils were in. Without thinking of himself, he pushed Caitelin and Denise to safety, out of the way of the falling concrete block.
Roydon`s last act was to sacrifice his life to save two fellow learners.
The Jacaranda Community raised over R1 million for Hoërskool Driehoek and the learners affected by the 1st of February walkway collapse and now South Africans are calling for the government to acknowledge one of the pupils for his incredible act of bravery.
“The Oxford Dictionary describes a hero as a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities. It is important to note that a hero never strives for fame or wealth but gives of himself so that others can live.
South Africa acknowledges citizens for such acts in the form of the “Order of Mendi”. Named after the First World War troop carrier ship the SS Mendi which sank in dense fog after colliding with another ship while underway to England. There were 616 casualties during the disaster.”
Awards of the Order of Mendi Decoration for Bravery are made to South Africans who have performed acts of bravery.
Roydon endangered his life without hesitation, saved two fellow learners and lost his life in the process. His heroic deed speaks to each of us to become a better version of ourselves, and to love our fellow man as Christ loves us.
Anyone who wants to nominate Roydon for the “Order of Mendi” please follow the link and to fill in the form.
by 
Roydon verdien die medalje.