Lifeguard recruitment kicks off as City prepares pools for summer season
28 May 2026
The City of Cape Town has officially started recruiting seasonal lifeguards for the upcoming summer season, while major upgrades at several public swimming pools continue as part of preparations for a safe and successful summer.
Each year, the City appoints over 600 seasonal lifeguards to be deployed to designated bathing beaches and public swimming pools during the summer season, from late September to about mid-April.
Recruitment is now under way, following the 2025/26 summer season, which recorded the lowest number of fatal drownings in seven years, highlighting the important role lifeguards play in the City’s drowning prevention strategy.
The Recreation and Parks Department puts hundreds of candidates through their paces each winter, in preparation for the summer season. Apart from having to meet all of the set criteria to apply for the positions, lifeguards also undergo physical assessments to prove that they’re up to the task.
‘Our lifeguards play a vital role in helping keep bathers safe every summer. They are often first on the scene when emergencies happen and their work saves lives. Cape Town’s beaches and swimming pools are extremely popular and while we take water safety very seriously, it is a shared responsibility. For many young people, becoming a lifeguard is also an opportunity to gain valuable work experience while serving their communities. We encourage residents who meet the requirements and have a passion for water safety to apply,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
There are four categories of lifeguards, namely: seasonal beach lifeguard, seasonal senior beach lifeguard, seasonal pool lifeguard and seasonal senior pool lifeguard.
Apart from having proven qualifications, applicants are also required to have a clear criminal record and no pending cases, must be drug free and shortlisted candidates will have to pass a physical assessment.
Applicants for beach lifeguard positions have to be able to complete a 400m swim test in under eight minutes and various rescue and first aid techniques.
Applicants for pool lifeguard positions have to complete a 100m swim test in under two minutes as well as various rescue and first aid techniques.
To apply for a lifeguard position, please go to:
www.capetown.gov.za/lifeguards
As the City recruits and prepares lifeguards for summer, work is also continuing at a number of public swimming pools to ensure residents have access to safe, accessible and well-maintained facilities.
‘Our swimming pools are important community spaces where residents can exercise, cool off, learn to swim and socialise. Ongoing upgrades and maintenance are essential to keeping these facilities safe, while improving water sustainability, reducing operating costs, and ensuring communities continue to have access to quality recreational facilities,’ said Councillor Higham.
The following swimming pools are currently undergoing major construction which is due to be completed by the end June:
- At the Delft, Lentegeur and Langa swimming pools critical infrastructure work focuses on structural, civil, mechanical and reticulation upgrades
- At the Bellville South and Goodwood swimming pools an upgrade of all reticulation systems is taking place, along with mechanical plant repairs and maintenance
- Manenberg swimming pool is in the final stages of structural works and minor mechanical plant repairs and maintenance
- Newlands swimming pool prides itself with newly upgraded and refurbished mechanical plant and floodlights, while further upgrades continue in preparation for the upcoming swimming pool season
Captions 1 and 2: Lifeguards keep make sure bathers are safe on the beach and in the pool.
Caption 3: Construction as the Bellville South Swimming Pool is progressing well.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
