Death of beautiful, young swim coach stuns George and Knysna

GEORGE NEWS - "We are still in a daze. It is unreal. Nothing makes sense."

The state of shock, disbelief and grief experienced by Suné Erasmus' (22) parents reflects the emotions of everyone who knew and loved her, including the entire swimming community of George and Knysna.

The body of the former George Agriculture Show Queen, swim coach and swimmer was discovered in her flat in Rawson Street, Knysna, about noon on Sunday 27 July.

The police do not suspect foul play.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies says an autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death. "The content of the outstanding report forms part of the police investigation."

Giel and Stephanie Erasmus shared their raw feelings about the untimely passing of their daughter with the paper, describing Suné as a soul woven with pure love.

"Everybody loved her, she was so loved," says Stephanie. "Her love of swimming was prominent - that's where she was happiest. In the swimming pool, or in the ocean. In fact, she often said her second name should have been Ocean."

The Erasmus family: Stephanie, Suné, Giel and Marno. Photo: Supplied

A flood of condolences continues to reach Makarios Chemicals George and York Car Wash, the couple's two businesses in George.

Tributes and cherished photos of Suné have been shared across the Facebook pages of the swimming communities, including Knysna Aquatics, Fish Eagle Aquatics and Eden Aquatics, as well as the George Agriculture Show, honouring her memory.

Suné was crowned Show Queen of the George Agriculture Show in 2022. Photo: Henk Neuhoff

Suné was crowned Show Queen of the agriculture show in 2022. Stephanie says at the time, she had secretly entered her daughter into the competition as a light-hearted jest, only to see Suné emerge as the winner.

Swimming communities in shock

Tarita Pollicutte, president of Fish Eagle Aquatics, says they are in absolute shock. "We saw her at the gala in Knysna this past Saturday [26 July], and she was in such a good mood. She was giggling, chatting and the kids were drawing hearts on her arm. The little ones are crazy about her. We don't understand the news and are struggling to process it."

Francois Boshoff and his wife, Candice, owners of Knysna Aquatics where Suné worked as coach for the past year, say they don't know how to move forward. "We are absolutely devastated. It doesn't make sense at all."

Francois says Suné had over 100 little swimmers in her care in the learn-to-swim classes. "She did such a good job," he says.

Prior to joining Knysna Aquatics, Suné honed her skills as a coach at Garden Route Swim School (GRSS) in George, where she had worked for 19 months. Owner and head coach Franna Vorster says Suné was much loved by swimmers, parents and the other coaches.

Riana Vorster and Suné Erasmus at the Garden Route Swim School's prize-giving event in 2023. Photo: Deidre Cloete

"She always smiled and had a soft heart. She wasn't just an employee. She was our friend and even after she moved to Knysna, she would visit us and have a coffee when in George," says Vorster.

"We saw Suné at the swimming gala in Knysna on Saturday afternoon. After the gala she came to say hello and we joked around like we usually did when we saw each other. She asked my son, Josua, if they could get together in George the following weekend. After the gala, we talked on WhatsApp about the possible visit.

"The news makes no sense at all. We are all devastated and shocked. Our hearts go out to her parents and family."

Suné is survived by her parents, Giel and Stephanie, her brother, Marno, and sister-in-law, Shalene.

Suné had a sense of adventure. Photo: Supplied

Message from the family

Please join us for the memorial service of our beloved Suné Erasmus (21 February 2003 - 26 July 2025) at the George South Dutch Reformed Church, 47 Fichat Street, at 11:00 on Monday 4 August.

To join the service via live streaming, please like our Facebook page: Green Pastures Funeral Home.

If you'd like to stream the funeral with us, please follow the following steps:

Go like AND follow Green Pastures Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/greenpasturesfuneralhome
Go to the page and wait for the Facebook Live to start.

Suné loved the ocean. Photo: Supplied