Soak up the sun, but be wary of where your child is, appeals authorities

The City of Cape Town says since the since the beginning of December, seven people drownings at beaches, and one person missing at sea, presumed drowned. During the same period, there have been 11 non-fatal drownings.

Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services & Health, Patricia van der Ross, said it's unfortunate that all of these tragic incidents have happened at beaches that are not designated swimming areas, or outside of lifeguard duty hours.

‘’We still have a few months of beach weather lying in wait, so I want to renew my appeal to the public to please abide by the rules, for their own safety. Swim only where lifeguards are present, and listen to their instructions when you do go into the water. Our lifeguards and support services have been working incredibly hard thus far this season, even extending their hours on occasion where beaches have been very busy. But they can only do so much – safety is a shared responsibility.’’

PHOTO - CoCT: Muizenberg beach on New Year's Day

At its halfway mark, the Identikidz project has seen 85 916 children tagged by 1 January 2024. Of these, says Van der Ross, 263 were reunited with their caregivers. She added that beaches along the False Bay coast between Muizenberg and Strand have recorded the highest number of children being tagged since the project started. The MMC said New Year's long weekend has been the busiest thus far, with 36 959 children tagged, and 198 reunited with families.

The project, works alongside the Western Cape’s Social Development Department, who provides support to children who were separated from their families. MEC, Sharna Fernandez said between 15 December 2023 and 01 January 2024, 8 children were reported as separated from their families in different areas in the Cape Metro and reunited by DSD staff. She added that there were various other incidents of alleged neglect and abuse that staff had to attend to in parts of the city. Fernandez said compared to the same period in 2022, there were thankfully fewer cases of children needing to be relocated in places of safety as a result of being left on a beach.

“In these final days of the school holiday, I urge parents and caregivers not to drop the ball when they are out in a public place with their children. The beaches are still packed, therefore constant vigilance is required. Please adhere to the law and refrain from drinking in these spaces, especially where young children are present and require attention. If you are returning to work, please ensure your child is in the care of a trusted individual who will keep a watchful eye over them,” said Sharna Fernandez, Western Cape Social Development MEC.

 

Done By: Esona Mfazwe & Mitchum George