Beachgoers urged to embrace the safe zones this New Year’s weekend

30 December 2025

Cape Town is bracing for another busy beach weekend. The Community Services and Health Directorate appeals to the public to remain in the safe zones at beaches and other public amenities.

Since 1 December, there have been 19 non-fatal drownings at Cape Town’s beaches.

In a busy day for lifeguards at Clovelly Beach on Monday, 29 December, they recorded four non-fatal drownings during two separate incidents.

Four fatal drownings have been recorded in Cape Town over this period. Two are the subject of police investigations and two others were bathing-related.

Lifeguards have also responded to 33 water rescues, 39 first-aid incidents and 18 incidents involving anti-social behaviour at beaches, and two first aid incidents at swimming pools.

The City reminds the public of its four golden rules of drowning prevention, which are:

• Swim only between the lifeguards’ red and yellow flags at beaches
• Do not swim under the influence of alcohol
• Be alert to the dangers of rip currents
• Actively supervise children at all times, especially around water

More information is available here.

The Identikidz Programme has registered 55 075 children to date, and reunited 78 with their caregivers.

Strand, Muizenberg and Strandfontein have recorded the highest number of registrations.

‘Our beaches and swimming pools have attracted thousands of visitors so far this season, and we expect another bumper weekend as Cape Town rings in the new year. To our lifeguards and support staff, thank you for your efforts to keep visitors to our amenities safe. To the public, don’t leave home without reminding yourself and your children about the golden rules of water safety, and if you’re at a beach where the Identikidz service is available, please make use of it. Our staff have already reunited dozens of children since mid-December, once again highlighting the value that the programme adds to child safety,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

More details on the Identikidz programme are available here.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office