With an incoming heat wave this week, the Mother City’s beaches are sure to draw in flocks of locals and visitors looking to let loose and keep cool this weekend, and with it comes the end of one of the Identikidz project’s best summer seasons yet.
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The programme, implemented by the City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department, saw more than 120 000 children tagged at participating beaches since the 2023/24 season launch in mid-December.
This past weekend, just over 16 000 little ones were tagged, with the busiest beaches once again being Mnandi with 2 313 children tagged, Strand with 2 590 tagged and Strandfontein with 2 220 tagged.
According to the statistics, 12 children were found lost at the beach and later reunited with their families – six less than last weekend.
‘It is heartening that parents continue to make use of Identikidz,’ said City’s MMC for Community Services and Health Patricia Van der Ross. ‘The statistics are encouraging and point to this being one of our best seasons yet.’
Van der Ross added that what’s even more encouraging is that, to date, fewer children have gotten lost or wandered off.
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With one more weekend left for the Identikidz project’s season, Van der Ross urged parents and caregivers to continue being vigilant and encouraged them to make use of the programme.
‘There is still one more weekend of the programme ahead and I want to encourage parents to continue making use of Identikidz,’ said Van der Ross.
Participating beaches include Big Bay, Camps Bay, Fish Hoek, Gordon’s Bay, Harmony Park, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton, Mnandi, Monwabisi, Muizenberg, Sea Point and surrounding areas, Silwerstroom, Strand and Strandfontein.
‘The beaches will continue to draw many visitors and little ones can easily wander off. Look out for our staff and make sure the children in your care are tagged.’
Encouragingly, no fatal or non-fatal drownings in Cape Town were recorded this weekend, thanks to the joint efforts of all services.
‘Our lifeguards remained busy as they performed countless rescues and other heroic acts that meant the difference between life and death, and for that we commend them,’ Van der Ross added.
‘They will continue to be on duty and I want to re-emphasise my plea to the public. Swim only where there are lifeguards, remain vigilant and listen to the instructions of our lifeguards, for your own safety.’
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Picture: Vitolda Klein / Unsplash