WATCH: Cameron Waldeck-Cooks’ ‘movie-like’ US experience
A video of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks speaking about her school exchange in the United States has resurfaced following her death. The 17-year-old St Stithians…
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A video of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks speaking about her school exchange in the United States has resurfaced following her death.
The 17-year-old St Stithians Girls’ College learner and Ethan Coetzee, 19, were found dead at a lodge in Sabie, Mpumalanga, on 3 August.
Police initially opened an inquest into the deaths.
Preliminary post-mortem findings later indicated that Cameron had been strangled. Police then opened a murder case.
The resurfaced interview shows Cameron during an exchange at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta, Georgia.
She travelled to the US through the Round Square connection between Holy Innocents and St Stithians College.
In the interview, Cameron introduces herself as being from Johannesburg and speaks enthusiastically about her time at the school.
She describes Holy Innocents as a “safe and welcoming environment”.
“Everyone is just very friendly and conversational,” Cameron said.
During her stay, she attended Upper School classes, explored Atlanta and experienced everyday American school life.
She also attended three American football matches.
One took place at Holy Innocents, while another took her to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Cameron also attended a high school football match, which she compared to something out of an American movie.
“It’s kind of similar to how it is in the movies,” she said.
“You wouldn’t expect it because, I guess, the movies, it’s fantasy, but it’s actually kind of very similar.”
One of Cameron’s favourite memories, however, involved something much simpler.
She recalled driving through Atlanta while listening to music.
“In South Africa, the driving age is 18, and here it’s 16,” she said.
“So driving, like, the city with the big buildings, it feels like I’m in a movie.”
Her comments captured her excitement about experiencing life in another country.
Back home, Cameron attended St Stithians Girls’ College in Johannesburg.
She also made her mark as a young sportswoman.
Cameron competed in rowing and athletics and earned recognition for her performances.
In 2025, St Stithians awarded her half colours for athletics.
She also secured a place on the South African Schools Rowing Union U16 development tour to the United Kingdom after finishing third in the U16 scull event.
Cameron continued representing St Stithians in 2026 and competed at the Buffalo Regatta.
Her death has since placed the teenager at the centre of a murder investigation.
The resurfaced US interview now captures Cameron during another chapter of her life – exploring a new city, embracing a different culture and speaking excitedly about the experiences she was having abroad.