The City’s Recreation and Parks Department has lifeguards deployed at 21 swimming pools and 29 beaches, tidal pools and stretches of coast this season.

These lifeguards are assisted by Western Province Lifesaving, City enforcement services, the NSRI and the Department’s Beach Buddies, among others.

Since September 2022, there have been nine fatal drownings along the city’s coast, 11 non-fatal drownings, and one non-fatal drowning at a swimming pool.

Visitors to coastal areas and swimming pools are advised of the following:

• only swim where there are lifeguards on duty and where signs indicate it is safe to do so

• swim only between the red and yellow flags set up by lifeguards at the beach. These indicate safer, supervised swimming areas. Areas outside these flags might conceal dangerous rip currents and tides

• do not drink and swim – alcohol is not allowed at City public open spaces

• Always supervise children near water, dressing them in bright colours to make sure that lifeguards can see them in the water

The City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department has launched its annual Identikidz project at 16 beaches on priority days over the festive season.

During the first weekend of operations, staff tagged 19 110 children and reunited eight children with their families. One child was handed over to social workers when their family could not be reached by nightfall.

‘We have put in place as many measures as possible to create a safe environment for everyone, but ultimately people need to take personal responsibility for their safety. The rules are there for a reason, and we implore our visitors to abide by them. To families, please make use of our Identikidz project. It is an incredibly popular initiative, and for good reason. We’ve had reports from a few beaches where people refuse to use the service and that is really unfortunate. I really hope that they have a change of heart, for their children’s sake,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

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