Johan Muller: An unwavering hero during the KZN floods

Johan Muller, a dedicated NSRI volunteer, was recently honoured with the prestigious Gold Gallantry Award for his extraordinary efforts during the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in 2022.

This award, the highest honour bestowed by the NSRI, recognises acts of bravery and selflessness that inspire hope in the face of adversity. For Johan, this accolade is not just recognition; it represents his unwavering commitment to helping those in need. Reflecting on receiving the award at the NSRI's Annual General Meeting, Johan states, "It is an absolute honour to have received the award. We never do it for awards, but it is always cool to be recognised from time to time."

Johan's journey with the NSRI began after years of experience in rescue operations. He qualified as a lifeguard in 1997 and, along with a group of friends, founded the Specialised Rescue Unit (SRU) in Ballito. With no hospitals nearby at the time, their goal was to keep people alive until professional medical help could arrive. This initiative caught the attention of the NSRI, leading Johan and his team to join the organisation. "The NSRI took note of what we had achieved over the years and asked us to join the team," he recalls.

It was during the KZN floods of 2022 that Johan's bravery became a significant part of the NSRI's legacy. In the dead of night, amid torrential rain and rising floodwaters, Johan and his team worked tirelessly to save those trapped.

"We were picking people off truck roofs and containers – anything that was three to four metres off the ground had someone clinging to it for dear life," Johan explains. "It was raining cats and dogs, pitch black, and the only light we had was from our headlamps. We worked off the screams for help, following the sound to locate people."
One particularly harrowing rescue involved four security guards and their loyal dog, stranded on the roof of a submerged building.

Upon reaching the submerged building, Johan assessed the situation and made a split-second decision to brave the treacherous waters. "I stuck my fins on and jumped in. The water was fierce, but my experience and faith kept me going," he recalls. Johan successfully ferried the guards and their dog to safety, narrowly avoiding the complete submersion of the building.

When asked what motivated his swift actions, Johan reflects on an earlier call that day. His team responded to a collapsed building, where they tragically recovered the body of a 3-month-old baby but could not reach the mother buried beneath the rubble. "That moment changed something in me," he says. "I made peace with my Lord and Saviour and asked Him to help us save as many people as we could, no matter what."

Johan’s bravery during the KZN floods exemplifies the core values of the NSRI – courage, selflessness, and a relentless commitment to helping others. His story is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges.