Madam,
The season of the shorts-wearing gents has officially descended upon us! I am referring to those fellows with conspicuously hirsute legs, a cold Corona Extra beer never too far away, and a Volkswagen Polo Vivo as their trusted chariot. Anyway, as entertaining as these seasonal observations may be, that is not what compelled me to write this piece. There is something far more serious that deserves our attention, particularly with the relentless heatwave pushing temperatures to uncomfortable extremes and people becoming increasingly desperate for ways to cool off.
The other day, while enjoying my MTN Eswatini Viki Drip data and scrolling through TikTok, I stumbled upon a trending video of a male TikToker taking a swim in Nkoyoyo Quarry Dam. With the relentless heatwave seemingly determined to transform the country into one enormous oven, one could almost understand the temptation to seek immediate relief in the dam’s waters. The gentleman appeared to enjoy his little summer escapade, although he emerged from the water rather quickly, almost as though reality had abruptly interrupted his moment of aquatic adventure.
Although the video may provoke laughter and the scorching temperatures may leave many of us desperately searching for relief, there is a grave public-safety concern beneath the humour. Dams, quarries and other unsafe water bodies are not swimming pools; treating them as recreational facilities can have devastating consequences. Nkoyoyo Quarry Dam has been associated with drowning incidents in the past, making such behaviour particularly concerning. A decision that appears harmless in the moment can become a desperate struggle for survival, leaving families to confront the unbearable consequences of a preventable tragedy.
Beyond the physical dangers, Nkoyoyo Quarry Dam is also surrounded by long-standing local beliefs that it is sacred and has spiritual owners. While such beliefs deserve to be understood within their cultural context, nobody should have to rely on spiritual explanations to recognise the very real dangers of entering an unsafe body of water.
Water does not negotiate, announce its intentions or offer guarantees of survival. Beneath a seemingly calm surface may lie unpredictable depths, slippery terrain and hidden hazards capable of turning a moment of excitement into an irreversible catastrophe.
As the heat continues to torment the country, let us exercise sound judgment and find safer ways to cool off. Seek appropriate swimming facilities, keep hydrated and resist the temptation to turn dangerous dams and abandoned quarries into makeshift holiday destinations. No viral video, momentary thrill or desperate attempt to escape the heat is worth gambling with a human life. We must never confuse temporary relief with genuine safety; the consequences of a reckless decision may outlast the moment that inspired it. The heat will eventually subside, but death offers no second chance.
Mbuyiselo S Sikhondze
