Frikkie Tolmay, the 18-year-old who saved three farmworkers and seven children from an inferno, is regarded as a hero.
Senwes says Frikkie has been nominated as this year’s “Plaaspad-held” (farm road hero), and the company has donated R50 000 to the Tolmay family to help cover the teenager’s medical expenses.
On 11 August, Frikkie drove the family’s bakkie through a fire after a blaze broke out on their farm, Eigenaarsfontein, 25km outside Fochville in Gauteng.
He had gone to open the farm gates to allow their cattle, sheep and horses to escape. The Tolmay family farms with sheep and beef cattle.
When he drove past the workers’ houses, he saw they were almost surrounded by flames, with panicked women and children trapped inside.
“The three women and seven children, between two and five years old, climbed onto the back of the bakkie and lay flat,” he recalled.
The mothers lay over the children to protect them as Frikkie drove through the flames to bring everyone to safety.
Unfortunately, the bakkie’s window was open when the fire swept over and Frikkie sustained fourth-degree burns on his ear, arm and hand, causing significant nerve damage. One of the women also suffered burns on her arm.
That day, three separate fires raged in the area. A fire outside Fochville was started by arson, the fire on the Tolmay farm was caused by sparks from a power pole, and the third fire was near Lindequesdrift in the Vanderbijlpark area, with 40-50km/h winds spreading the flames.
“I don’t see myself as a hero. I just did what any other guy would have done,” the student from Hoërskool Fochville said.
“I’m doing fine. Next week we’ll visit the nurse again to check my burns. It still hurts from time to time, but everything is okay.”
Francois Strydom, CEO of Senwes, said farmers are everyday heroes in their communities and Senwes wants to support individuals making a difference. “We are pleased to acknowledge and assist this ‘Plaaspad-held’ and wish Frikkie a speedy recovery,” he said.
Photo: Deon Raath/Rapport
Assistance for farmers in need
After devastating fires that have ravaged parts of the North West and Free State provinces, Senwes said it was allocating R500 000 to farmers and organised agriculture in these areas through its AgriRewards+ programme.
In addition to supporting the Tolmay family, Senwes is donating R270 000 to Free State Agriculture and R180 000 to Agri North West to assist in relief efforts.
“Senwes is committed to meeting farmers where they are – on the farm road, where they function daily and make a difference. This commitment includes helping farmers during crises, such as the destructive fires that are a harsh reality in agriculture,” said Strydom.
AgriRewards+ has already paid more than R1,3 million to farmers’ associations this year, empowering them to be difference-makers in their communities.
