Drowning statistics paint a bittersweet picture
23 January 2024
As the high season winds down, the Recreation and Parks Department reflects on water safety matters over the past seven weeks. While the number of fatal drownings is lower compared to the same period last year, the loss of 12 lives remains a bitter pill to swallow.
The City's Recreation and Parks Department recorded 12 fatal drownings between 5 December 2023 and 22 January 2024, and 25 non-fatal drownings.
- 22/01/2024: Monwabisi Beach, 23 y/o male
- 21/01/2024: Muizenberg Beach, 30 y/o male
- 20/01/2024: Fish Hoek Beach, 15 y/o male
- 06/01/2024: Muizenberg Beach, 16 y/o male
- 01/01/2024: Sonwabe Beach, 24 y/o male
- 01/01/2024: Sonwabe Beach, 18 y/o male
- 01/01/2024: Sonwabe Beach, 28 y/o male
- 28/12/2023: Kogel Bay, 41 y/o male
- 16/12/2023: Wolfgat coastline, adult female
- 11/12/2023: Lagoon Beach, 30 y/o male
- 06/12/2023: Strandfontein Beach, 21 y/o female
- 05/12/2023: Clifton 4th Beach, 58 y/o male
During the same period the previous year, the Department recorded 17 fatal drownings.
'We set out each season to do the best that we can – in an ideal world, we'd want the summer to end without a single life lost. Sadly, the reality is often a different story. Statistically speaking, we have had a 29% drop in fatal drownings, but that's cold comfort to the loved ones who are grappling with the loss of their relatives,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.
An analysis of the fatal drowning incidents since the start of the festive season on 1 December 2023 shows that:
- 67% of incidents happened on weekends or during the school holidays
- 83% of victims were male
- None of the victims were children younger than 15
'We are concerned about the number of incidents that have occurred outside of our designated bathing areas, or outside of lifeguard hours. I want to renew our appeal to the public to please only swim in designated areas, and when our lifeguards are on duty. They will be manning the beaches until the conclusion of the Easter weekend, so make sure that you swim only under their watch,' added Councillor Van der Ross.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
