A fire erupted in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay yesterday and the community worked hard with local firefighters to stop the fire from spreading but one man’s story stood out in particular.
The community of Imizamo Yethu knows fire all too well, their entire community has been wiped out more than once. Thankfully, the people living there are determined to survive no matter what they are faced with.
A fire broke out yesterday, the 22nd of August 2018, and destroyed a few homes. The community worked with the local fire department and rescue services to stop the blaze in its tracks and prevented it from spreading across the entire township.
Documentary photographer Justin Sullivan was on site when the community started working together to put the blaze out. As always, he managed to capture some incredible shots the of unity among them.
Sullivan uploaded a collection of photos from the day but one in particular stood out from the crowd… a local police officer who was leading by example, caught the attention of social media and has since gone viral because of his heroic efforts.
Good Things Guy chatted to some of his colleagues to get the story behind the brave man.
Captain Jaques Lourens
Captain Jaques Lourens was raised by salt of the earth people, his dad worked for the local postal services and his mom stayed home to raise the two boys, his brother also now in SAPS as part of the K9 unit.
The Captain joined the Pretoria Police College at the age of 17 and has 28 years of service to date. He has worked in various positions in the Police Force but it was at the Benoni flying squad where he met his crime fighting partner and life long friend, rugby legend Joost an Der Westhuizen’s brother – Pieter van der Westhuizen.
One of his career highlights was a car chase that made international headlines, on the R21 Joburg, which resulted in Captain Lourens being shot in his bullet proof and leg but managing to assist in multiple arrests! That day the Captain and his team exposed a massive cash in transit syndicate, and recovered weapons and the cash in the process. For this he received the silver star of bravery 1998.
Joined Hout Bay in 2001
An incredibly modest man who will always put citizens first as he believes that is what his oath and lifelong commitment he has made.
In the massive Western Cape fires of March 2015 which destroyed 4000 Hectares, he literally worked day and night only stopping to drive the 50km home once a day to shower, have no more than 3 hours sleep and immediately drove back to monitor the risk to residents.
During this time he co-ordinated and evacuated 1 Chapman’s peak drive and Tintswalo lodge. The Captain took to walking from door to door in Penzance and Baviaanskloof roads making sure that residents remained calm, but had an active evacuation plan if needed. And when a few residents showed their gratitude by gifting him with a voucher for the local SPAR, he decided to defer those vouchers by making a personal visit to the Tokia residents who lost homes in the fires and presented to them.
He also received a voucher for a weekend away which he gifted to a fireman who was badly wounded in the gas explosion at Tintswalo lodge in that fire.
I could never live with myself knowing that I didn’t do everything possible to help
Another instance risking life and injury to self was in 2013 when the excessive rains resulted in the massive mudslide on Chapman’s Peak Drive.
A call went out that a couple was stranded in their vehicle and were being pushed down the mountain by the moving mud. Without any hesitation Captain Lourens drove up and helped the couple get out of their sliding vehicle through their car window.
The Captain’s colleague remembers seeing him shortly after as he stopped at Watchcon. He opened his car door and mud and water came streaming out. He was soaking wet. When I asked him how he could behave so recklessly he replied to say…
I could never live with myself knowing that I didn’t do everything possible to help.
We know there were many people on the various scenes helping other South Africans in need but your photo caught the eye of social media Captain Lourens and we salute and thank you for continuing to lead by example.
Check out the other amazing heroes below, in action, from the recent Imizamo Yethu fire:
The community is accepting donations to help get those who lost everything get back on their feet. To support please drop off donations at Thula Thula Hout Bay. Some of the donations needed include toiletries, blankets, clothing, small household appliances and non-perishable food items.
Thula Thula is also accepting financial donations, they will manage and use the funds for the disaster relief efforts. You can find the banking details here. Thula Thula Hout Bay is a group of local residents representing all 3 demographical areas of Hout Bay. They work in assisting the Hout Bay community with various relief efforts at times of fire, flood and ocean-related disasters.
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