Grieving mum backs Mirror Save Lives for Sam campaign with warning to parents after son, 15, drowned in river

EXCLUSIVE: Grieving mum backs Mirror Save Lives for Sam campaign with warning to parents after son, 15, drowned in river EXCLUSIVE: A heartbroken mum who lost her 15-year-old son after he entered a river is backing The Mirror’s water safety campaign and urging families to have the potentially lifesaving chat, she never did A grieving mum who lost her 15-year-old son after he drowned in a river is urging families to have the one potentially life-saving chat with their children, she didn't have. It has been almost five years since Thandolwethu Ndlovu, known to family and friends as Thando, tragically drowned in the River Trent. His mother, Nombulelo Ndlovu, still remembers the teenage footballer as a “loving, sincere and charismatic boy” whose smile could light up a room and who never left anyone feeling sad for long. Nombulelo, who is backing the Mirror's 'Save Lives for Sam water safety campaign, told us: “He lifted spirits, encouraged people, and built confidence in those around him. He was a joy to everyone who knew him. I could speak about him forever. His presence was a gift, and his memory continues to be a blessing.” In 2023, it was revealed the risk of drowning was three times higher for children of Black or Black British ethnicity compared with White children, according to the National Child Mortality Database. Research from the Black Swimming Association also found that 48% of Black and Brown people surveyed did not know how to stay safe in water. Reflecting on her and Thando’s understanding of water safety, Nombulelo said: “From the bottom of my heart, I can say that I never spoke to him about the dangers of open water. I simply didn’t imagine that children in the UK would be swimming in rivers. I assumed that here, we all swim safely in swimming pools, not in open water. Looking back, I can see that this was my own naivety, but it was also a lack of awareness, something I now know many parents share.” She is urging parents and teenagers to understand the dangers of open water in the hope of sparing another family the pain she lives with every day. When required Nombulelo has been supported by the Black Swimming Association. Kerry Downes, CEO, said: “Access to water isn’t equal and this is what drives risk. "It’s especially important for parents of boys - and in particular parents of Black boys - to learn about water safety and the dangers of open water, and have these conversations with their children as soon as possible.” Speaking on whether she believes water safety conversations are happening in Black households, Nombulelo said: “I don’t think most parents, especially Black parents, realise how important it is to talk to their children about water safety beyond the swimming pool. The topic doesn’t receive the same attention as other social issues, even though it should. Many of us were never taught about open water dangers ourselves, so we don’t always know what conversations to have with our children until it’s too late.” Thando, from Chellaston, had gone to a popular stretch of the River Trent . Swarkestone Bridge in July 2021 with a group of friends. The group entered the water, but he got into difficulty and disappeared. None of his friends had encountered difficulties in the water, nor heard him call for help. His friends immediately called emergency services, but his body was sadly recovered the next day following an extensive search and rescue effort. He was pronounced dead just two days after his 15th birthday. While Thando had attended swimming lessons from the age of four and progressed to Stage 4, he later lost interest and stopped attending around the age of 11. Nombulelo said: “For us, swimming was always a fun activity, a sport he enjoyed and I never imagined it would one day be connected to such a tragedy in our family. When he lost interest around the age of 11 or 12, We didn’t push him to continue. At the time, we saw it as just another hobby he had outgrown, and I deeply regret not encouraging him to carry on.” Now, Nombulelo’s grief has completely changed the way she looks at water safety. She said: “Losing my boy completely changed the way I see water safety. I now understand, in the deepest and most painful way, how important it is to talk to our children about the dangers of open water. It has become something that comes out of me naturally - almost like a reflex. “I often find myself asking people if they have children, especially teenagers, and the moment they say yes, I immediately ask whether they’ve spoken to them about the risks of swimming in open rivers. Sometimes people look confused, as if wondering why I’m asking, but I can’t help it. I know what can happen when those conversations don’t take place.” Speaking on the change she hopes to see, she said: “To prevent other families from going through the pain that mine has lived with, real change needs to happen, starting with the Government. They must listen to our pleas and make open water safety a compulsory part of the school curriculum. “Every summer, and even just a few weeks ago during the recent heatwave, we lose young and older lives to the same preventable dangers. We cannot continue like this. We need to see action, not just sympathy. Parents also have a vital role to play, especially my fellow African parents. If I was unaware that children here swim in open rivers, I know many others are in the same position. "In Europe, open water swimming is common, and our children can get carried away without understanding the risks they are stepping into. We need to talk openly with them about these dangers, and we should also support them by joining them in swimming lessons so they build real confidence and safety skills.” Since her son’s death, Nombulelo has continued to raise awareness of the dangers of open water. In 2023, she teamed up with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service to share her family’s heartbreaking story. Speaking about the seven-minute video, she said: “Finally, I encourage people to watch and share the video my family made in 2024 about Thando’s story, available on YouTube. It includes the real 999 call made by his best friend Harry on the day Thando drowned. “It is painful to hear, but if it can scare even one child away from entering a dangerous river and save their life, then it gives meaning to our loss and honours the memory of our beloved legend.”