'I tried to resuscitate her' - Tongaat man's tragic account of losing his wife

Loading player...
A Tongaat man has told East Coast Breakfast about the heartbreaking moment he lost his wife when Monday's tornado destroyed their home.

On Monday afternoon, large parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) were battered by damaging winds and torrential rain. Some areas, particularly in Tongaat, were devastated by a wedge tornado.

The East Coast Breakfast team, in collaboration with The Gift of the Givers, hosted a first-of-its-kind 'WhatsAppathon' on Friday morning. The event was broadcast live from the Vishwaroop Temple in the Tongaat area to raise funds for those affected.

One Tongaat resident, Viven Gounden, (pictured below) joined the East Coast Breakfast team to share his story. He told the team how his wife, Rennisha, died after the collapse of their home.

According to Gounden, he managed to shield his seven-year-old son, but the strong winds caused the ceiling to collapse.

"In one minute, everything stopped; the entire house was completely wrecked."

As a nurse, Gounden immediately attempted to resuscitate his wife, but was unable to sustain his efforts due to the severity of her injuries.
7 Jun 2024 7AM English South Africa Society & Culture · Daily News

Other recent episodes

Ke Dezemba, KZN!! Your ultimate guide to festive fun away from the beach

This December, KZN is more than just beaches and braais! Darren, Sky, and Carmen dive into the ultimate guide for non-beach festive adventures across the province, from juicy litchis and magical light trails to adrenaline-packed game reserves, festive markets, and dinosaur-filled wonderlands! We’ve got every East Coaster covered. Tune in…
7 Dec 11PM 8 min

Season of Sharing: The unforgettable moments from Buhlebethu High School

Experience the profound impact of the Big Favour Season of Sharing. With your support, R3.1-million was raised, providing enough essential food items to fill a wheelbarrow with rice, sugar, beans, samp, flour, onions, potatoes, butternut, maize meal, and oil. This contribution will sustain a family of four for up to…
2 Dec 11PM 6 min

South Africa’s Cartoon King Zapiro Talks 30th Collection

If you missed it this week on East Coast Breakfast, South Africa’s most famous cartoonist Zapiro joined Darren, Sky, and Carmen ahead of the launch of his 30th annual collection What Else Could Go Wrong? He’s unveiling it this Sunday, 30 November, at Gateway Mall, at the food court near…
28 Nov 1AM 6 min

Celeste Ntuli Brings the Laughs to Durban

If you missed it this week on East Coast Breakfast, Celeste Ntuli, South Africa’s undefeated, undisputed Queen of Zulu Comedy joined Darren, Sky, and Carmen ahead of her Celeste N Da Big Dudes Comedy Special. After a sold-out smash hit in Johannesburg, the show is coming to Durban for the…
28 Nov 1AM 11 min