"We need many more Yaseerah’s": Cape Town mother hailed for her heroic rescue of a drowning child
Safety and Security mayco member, JP Smith, commends mother and neighbourhood watch member, Yaseerah Nelson, for her act of bravery.
Image: Supplied
The mother of three who rescued 6-year-old Tyler Cupido from Parkwood from a possible drowning in a flooded street during severe weather conditions in Cape Town last week, has been commended by mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, for her act of heroism.
Yaseerah Nelson, 34, from Lotus River who is part of the Klip Neighbourhood Watch, the Community In Blue, and is also contracted by the City for overseeing dumping sites, told the Cape Argus of how she jumped into action when she realised the child was in fact drowning.
She had managed to rescue Tyler, a Grade R learner, from the flooded water and removed his school bag which kept him anchored in the water, and a plastic bag from his face which had blinded his vision.
Yaseerah Nelson with six-year-old Tyler Cupido whom she rescued from drowning last week in Parkwood due to severe weather conditions.
Image: Supplied
The video of the rescue went viral on social media and also reached the attention of Smith, who surprised Nelson with a bunch of flowers and other gifts to commend her for her bravery.
“I am very grateful to everyone who reached out to me and Tyler as well. I never knew that my video was going to go this viral,” she said.
“Every day in the news you hear of an innocent child being shot or a child found in an open field or a dirt bin.
Screenshot of Yaseerah Nelson saving Tyler Cupido.
Image: Supplied
“On Wednesday an innocent child’s life was saved.
“I am a crime fighter and for me to get news every day of children’s lives being stolen every day, it saddens me as a mother of three.”
Smith said via his social media accounts that they had watched the video and wanted to commend her for her act of bravery, adding that she was instrumental in fighting crime in Cape Town.
“This is just to say thank you. Last week a video went viral showing her while she was working in a community, when she saw a child struggling in deep water with a bag wrapped around him and she stepped in to rescue his life, potentially saving a life.
“Today, I just wanted to pause and say thank you to her for this particular occasion for the commendable thing she did and the act of heroism but also just her general commitment.
“This is not the only time that she adds value, she is on the neighbourhood watch, being one of those people who step forward and make their communities better and I understand that you have a foot in disaster management in the volunteer structure as well.
“We need many more Yaseerah’s out there to make our city better.”
Last week the family of Tyler thanked Nelson for her heroism.
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Cape Argus