Identikidz off to a festive start, while Recreation and Parks hosts fun-filled youth events

18 December 2024

The adverse weather over the long weekend may have kept many bathers off the beaches, but it didn’t keep away determined revellers as the City of Cape Town’s Identikidz programme saw more than 14 000 children tagged. In addition, the Recreation and Parks Department brought excitement and joy to young people this past weekend with events aimed at promoting recreation, community engagement and environmental awareness.

Identikidz, coordinated by the City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department, tagged 14 396 children across 15 beaches, while eight lost children were reunited with their families.

By location, Muizenberg was busiest with 2 283 children tagged, followed by Strandfontein (2 021) and Strand (1 747).

‘This is a positive start to the festive season as there were still many people on the beach for the long weekend. It is comforting to know parents and guardians make use of Identikidz. Over the next few weeks beaches will become busier and crowds will only get bigger so it is important for those visiting with small children to find the Identikidz registration desks and get their little ones tagged,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

During the last festive season more than 130 000 children were tagged, with 302 reunions.

‘Young children inevitably wander off or are confused by crowds and Identikidz provides an extra layer of protection for our most vulnerable bathers. I encourage adults to keep an eye on the children in their care and especially when they are in or near the water. We should all take beach safety seriously,’ added Councillor Van der Ross.

Staff at the Identikidz registration desks will:
• With the permission of parents or caretakers, register children and issue them with an identification tag/wrist band
• Assist with the reunification of a lost or displaced child
• Work closely with the provincial Department of Social Development, the City’s enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service to ensure the safety and reunification of a lost or displaced child with their family.

At the Recreation Beach Festival at Silwerstroom Beach on Saturday, 14 December, more than 100 youth from Atlantis and Dunoon joined the celebration.

This free, public event featured a variety of fun-filled activities that brought the sun, sand and sea together with valuable learning opportunities.

Programme highlights included a water safety talk presented by lifeguards, Blue Flag environmental awareness on keeping beaches clean and various recreational activities such as beach rugby, cricket, sandcastle building, relays and beach tennis.

Participants enjoyed the fun activities while soaking up the sun and learning vital skills, leaving the beach with smiles and memories to last a lifetime.

On Monday, 16 December, the Recreation and Parks Area Central team hosted its Recreation Festival, attracting more than 200 participants at Erica Park in Belhar.

The event was designed to provide a platform for youth involved in after-school and holiday programmes to connect with each other, while highlighting the importance of recreation in building stronger communities.

The day featured a variety of activities such as inflatable obstacle courses, team-building games, dodgeball, giant board games and more.

The event aimed to inspire young people to engage in recreation and encourage others in their communities to join in as well.

The Recreation Festival will become an annual event, continuously providing a platform for youth to participate in exciting activities that promote teamwork and active lifestyles.

‘These events showcase the power of recreation in shaping young minds and fostering a sense of community. It’s heart-warming to witness the energy and enthusiasm of our youth as they engage in activities that promote their physical, mental and social development. We are committed to creating more opportunities for young people to learn, grow and connect with their communities and just to simply have fun,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross

‘It’s fantastic to see our youth coming together to enjoy these recreational activities. Events like these play an important role in building stronger, healthier communities and I’m proud to see our young people leading the way,’ said Local Ward Councillor Willie Jaftha (Ward 12).

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office