The DA-run City of Cape Town’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department (SD&ECD) has successfully implemented its annual Identikidz programme, which helped reunite nearly 400 children with their caregivers over the holiday season.
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The Identikidz programme was launched to create a safer environment at 16 beaches during peak festive season days. On arrival at the beach, caregivers can get their children registered and kitted out with a wristband containing relevant contact details, should they get lost on the beach.
The Identikidz programme was rolled out on 15 December at beaches that were “identified by the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) as high-traffic areas, and where the programme would add the most value.”
The Identikidz programme was implemented at Big Bay, Camps Bay, Gordon’s Bay, Harmony Park, Fish Hoek, Lagoon Beach, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton, Mnandi, Monwabisi, Muizenberg, Sea Point and surrounds, Silwerstroom, Strandfontein and Strand between 9.00am and 6.30pm on the below dates:
- 15 – 18 December
- 24 – 26 December
- 31 December
- 1 January
- 7 – 8 January
- 14 – 15 January
- 21 – 22 January
More than 90,000 children at the participating beaches were tagged and the programme has assisted in a whopping 65% of the reunions that happened over the New Year’s long weekend.
The City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Departments were assisted by Expanded Public Works Programme workers at the beaches in registering the children and issuing identification wristbands.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross said, “Identikidz has proven to be one of our most successful festive season safety interventions, but it requires teamwork.
“The City provides the service, and works closely with other relevant agencies in instances where children need to be reunited with their caregivers, but we need our beachgoers to work with us, it’s also important to note that signing up for Identikidz does not absolve you of your responsibility to look after minors in your care.”
Councillor Van der Ross adds, “The programme is an added layer of protection in the event that you are separated from your child. We have seen how very busy Cape Town’s beaches can get over the festive season, but if we all work together, we can safeguard our children.”
During the 2021/22 festive season, the Identikidz programme tagged 98,232 children and assisted in reuniting 338 with their families.
Councillor Van der Ross concludes by saying, “We also remind the public that safety on the beach includes safety in the water. Our four non-negotiable rules are to not drink and swim, to be aware of rip currents, to swim only in the demarcated areas where lifeguards are present, and most importantly, do not leave children unsupervised.”
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Picture: Alderman JP Smith / Facebook