Jeremiah Jackson, NSRI Shelly Beach station commander, said:
At 16h00, Saturday, 29th February, NSRI Shelly Beach duty crew were activated to eye-witness reports of a drowning in progress at Fig Tree Beach, between Southbroom and Ramsgate, on the South Coast KZN.
NSRI rescue swimmers, SA Police Services, Police Search and Rescue, Lifeguards and Med-Evac ambulance services responded.
It is believed the man, aged 39, from Kwanzikwa, near Port Edward, was caught in rip currents while wading in waist deep water.
Lifeguards arrived first and launched Malibu rescue boards and reaching the man in the surfline they rescued the man to the beach where sadly paramedics declared the man deceased.
The body of the man has been taken into the care of the Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man.
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE