Just a month after a near-fatal car accident, Border angling U21 medalist Dylan Botha told GO!&Express that he owes his survival to God and the overwhelming support he received from people across the country.
The 18-year-old, who represented Border Angling at the 2025 SA Shore Angling Association’s junior championships this year, was involved in an accident on January 18 on his way home from a provincial tournament on the R72 close to the Chalumna bridge. He suffered brain trauma so significant that doctors believed he would die on the way to hospital.
Despite the odds, Dylan was released from Frere Hospital last week Friday and is making steady inroads towards recovery — insisting that he wants to get back to fishing as soon as possible.
His mother, Marinda said the initial prognosis was so bleak that it was believed Dylan’s fate would see him meet the end of his life on a ventilator keeping him alive long enough to possibly be an organ donor. Four weeks later, his cognitive functioning appears intact and he is able to comprehend and slowly communicate.
He is also starting to recover his ability to walk albeit with assistance and will have to undergo extensive rehabilitation to recover full use of his right side. Dylan was able to tell the GO! this week: “This experience showed me that life is too short to hold grudges.
“I learned that there are many compassionate people in the world and without their prayers and support I wouldn’t be alive.
“Without God, I would be dead.”
Dylan’s mother, Marinda, describes his recovery as a “miracle” and credits the dedicated staff at Frere Hospital for saving his life. Thanks to the generosity of donors and fundraisers nearly R400,000 has been raised, allowing him to soon begin his rehabilitation journey at Nurture Health Beacon Bay.
Marinda said the funds raised are the sole means through which Dylan is able to realise his recovery because the family does not have medical aid.
She added: “Dylan has a long way to go but we are excited to walk that journey with him because now his complete recovery is not just a hope — it’s an imminent reality. Winning the lotto is nothing compared to this because I have my son back and I will forever be grateful.
“They told us that the damage to the brain was on the left and right sides but through the grace of God, he has not shown any signs of brain damage.
“He recognises everyone and knows everything he knew before. He is starting to eat well and is slowly recovering full use of his voice.
“He is so headstrong and is telling everyone that he just needs a few weeks at rehab before he will be strong enough to get back to fishing.
“If I look at his miraculous recovery, I wouldn’t put it past him. He has the will and determination.”
Marinda said the experience has not diminished his good natured spirit as he jokes with her that he is so famous now she can Google him.
Marinda added: “Dylan’s testimony proves that God is an awesome healer.”
Border Rock and Surf chair Sheldon Richter, described him as “the most well-mannered and grounded young man,” admired for his respectfulness and dedication to fishing.
“His teammates took it very hard but we remain grateful for the incredible support from the fishing community.”
