Minutes after the ill-fated bus transporting 58 learners plunged into the swollen Kasat-se-Drift, Sharrocks drove past and jumped into the icy river with no thought for his own safety and pulled 44 of the trapped children through a small side window while balancing on the wheel of the sinking bus.
Sharrocks, a private and humble man, said that he had never expected to be rewarded for what he described as, a natural reaction. "I heard the children screaming for help and instinct just took over," he explained.
An excited Sharrocks explained his surprise when the office of the presidency phoned to tell him that he was to receive the medal for bravery. "I was so surprised to hear that I was to receive the medal. I am a very private person and didn't expect to be rewarded at all." Sharrocks and his wife, Sharon, will to be flown to Gauteng today, April 26, for tomorrow's Freedom Day celebrations in Pretoria, during which President Zuma will award national orders to 31 recipients. "It's great that I'll get to meet the president," said Sharrocks. His wife Sharon said, "I am very proud of him and our four children are over the moon about this."
The list of recipients was announced by the chancellor of the National Orders, Cassius Lubisi, on Monday, April 23. "It is usual at this time of the year that the president of the Republic of South Africa bestows the highest accolades upon citizens and members of the international community who have made extraordinary contributions to our country and the world," he said.
The orders comprise of the Order of Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe and the order of the Companions of OR Tambo.
The Order of Mendi for Bravery, originally called the Mendi Decoration for Bravery when it was introduced in 2003, has three classes: Gold for conspicuous bravery, Silver for exceptional bravery and Bronze for outstanding bravery.
The Order of Mendi is named after a World War I troopship, the SS Mendi, which sank after a collision in 1917. When it became clear that their demise was inevitable, the 600 black South African troops aboard the vessel performed a traditional death dance.
Minutes after the ill-fated Rheenendal bus sank into the swollen Kasat-se-Drift last year, Neil Sharrocks jumped in to save 44 of the 58 learners.
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
