Thousands of Capetonians and visitors flocked to the City of Cape Town’s (COCT) beaches and pools over the past weekend, not only to escape the heat, but to also enjoy the last few days before everyone resumes their normal schedules.
However, the COCT says it has been three years since its beaches welcomed a record number of people over the festive period. According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross, COCT services have put in a massive effort over the past weekend, as Saturday was one of the busiest beach days in the last few years.
“I am proud of the massive effort put in by all our services over the weekend and I especially want to celebrate the commitment of our lifeguards.
“We lost three lives to fatal drownings on Saturday, while 134 lives were saved because of their efforts. Their hard work and dedication to serving the public under challenging circumstances should be commended,” Van der Ross said.
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Fatal drownings were reported outside of the designated bathing areas at unguarded beaches or beyond the hours when lifeguards were on duty (at Clovelly, Monwabisi East and Strand beach). A total of 127 help-outs were also recorded by City lifeguards on duty.
Additional first aid cases, including dislocations, seizures, facial injuries and minor cuts and bruises, were also attended to by lifeguards.
Meanwhile, the National Sea Rescue Institute provided active duties to support services at Strand, Monwabisi, Strandfontein and Muizenberg, and their base stations conducted routine water patrols along the Melkbosstrand, Table View, Sea Point and Camps Bay coastlines.
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Van der Ross further mentioned that the City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department also tagged 21 507 children over the weekend and reunited 155 with their parents or caregivers.
“Unfortunately, six children, four at Camps Bay on January 8 and two at Muizenberg on January 9 had to be handed over to the Provincial Department of Social Development as they could not be reunited with their parents or caregivers by nightfall.
“Identikidz staff have tagged 98 232 children in total so far and reunited 338 with their families. There are still some busy, hot days ahead and I want to encourage parents to ensure they have their children tagged at the participating beaches,” Van der Ross reiterated.
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Picture: Cape {town} Etc gallery