A Day at the Beach That Changed Everything
On 15 January 2024, the sun was shining over Iluka Foreshore Park in Perth. Families gathered, children laughed, and among them was 22-month-old Zaire “ZaZa” Bwoga — a spirited toddler with a cheeky grin and an adventurous heart.
He was playing near the water’s edge, enjoying the day with his father, Brian, his older brother, Alessandro, and a friend and her young child. It was the kind of day you don’t think twice about. Until everything changed.
In a moment of innocent sharing, one of the children offered ZaZa some grapes. Within seconds, joy and laughter turned to panic. ZaZa began to choke.
Brian — trained in CPR and always vigilant about food safety — rushed to his son’s aid. He managed to remove one grape, but another remained lodged in his throat.
Police were the first responders on the scene. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts to help, they did not have the specialised tools required to remove the airway obstruction.
After 20 agonising minutes waiting for an ambulance — and doing everything he could to save him — ZaZa passed away in his father’s arms.
From Grief to Advocacy: Brian’s Mission
In the aftermath of unimaginable loss, Brian turned his grief into action. Determined to prevent other families from experiencing such a tragedy, he began to speak out — not just about what happened to ZaZa, but about what could have changed the outcome.
He discovered LifeVac, a simple, portable anti-choking device designed to clear airway obstructions when traditional first aid methods fail. Believing that this device could have saved his son, Brian became a passionate advocate for equipping first responders, public venues, and schools with tools that can make the difference between life and death.
For Brian, this mission is personal — but it’s also universal. Every family deserves the peace of knowing that if the unthinkable happens, the right help will be there. What happened to ZaZa should never happen again. And that’s why Brian continues to fight — to turn heartbreak into prevention, and pain into purpose.
ZaZa’s Legacy: A Call for Change
Brian’s advocacy led to real, tangible change. The City of Joondalup became the first council in Australia to install LifeVac devices across 38 community venues — including beaches, libraries, and parks. One now stands just metres from where ZaZa lost his life, serving as both a symbol of what’s been lost and a tool for what can be saved.
But Brian didn’t stop there.
He launched a national petition known as “ZaZa’s Law,” calling for mandatory choking hazard warnings on grape packaging and signage near loose produce displays. Grapes are one of the leading choking hazards for children under five — yet there are no standard warnings in place. A simple label could save a life. That’s the change he’s fighting for.
Join the Movement
ZaZa’s story is a devastating reminder of how fast life can change — and how preventable that change could be.
Through Brian’s strength, ZaZa’s memory is now driving action across the country. His legacy is not just a name — it’s a movement that’s already saving lives.
You can be part of this change:
- Sign the petition for mandatory choking hazard warnings to support ZaZa’s Law.
- Advocate for LifeVac devices in your local schools, parks, and community spaces.
- Learn how to prepare food safely and educate others.
- Share ZaZa’s story — and let it move people to act.
Together, we can make sure no other child’s name becomes a headline.
Together, we turn tragedy into prevention.
Together we honour ZaZa.
