Cape Town’s busiest beaches will be safer for children this holiday season, thanks to the return of the popular Identikidz programme, which kicks off on 14 December, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The safety initiative, which has become a holiday staple, was officially launched in Strandfontein on Tuesday.
Coordinated by the City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development (CACD) Department, Identikidz has become one of the most beloved and effective safety measures for children visiting Cape Town’s coastline. Last year, the programme tagged over 133 000 children during five key weekends, helping to reunite 302 children with their families.
‘The Identikidz programme continues to make a significant impact on ensuring the safety of young visitors to our beaches. It’s an essential service for parents and caretakers during the busy festive season, when the risk of children getting separated on crowded beaches is high,’ said a City spokesperson.
The programme provides free identification wristbands to children visiting participating beaches. Each wristband features a unique serial number, matched with a registration sheet containing the contact details of the child’s caregiver. This system allows for a swift and effective response if a child is separated from their guardian.
While parents and caretakers are ultimately responsible for supervising their children, the City recognises that the chaotic nature of the holiday season and busy beaches can make accidents unavoidable. To mitigate this risk, the City will deploy 83 CACD officials, alongside almost 200 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) staff, to assist with registration, monitoring, and, if necessary, reunification of lost children.
The programme will run from December 14, 2024, to January 12, 2025, on the following dates:
- 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, and 31 December 2024
- 1, 4, 5, 11, and 12 January 2025.
Participating beaches include Big Bay, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, among others. The full list of beaches is available on the City’s website.
‘By working closely with the provincial Department of Social Development, the City’s enforcement agencies, and the South African Police Service, we can ensure that any child who is separated from their family is swiftly reunited,’ said Patricia van der Ross, mayoral committee member for Community Services and Health.
She urged beachgoers to remember the importance of keeping children under supervision at all times. ‘As parents, we must always care for our children and never leave them unsupervised. Please also remember that beach safety rules apply and that beachgoers should only swim in demarcated areas where lifeguards are present,’ she emphasised.
The City is committed to the safety of all beachgoers, and residents can report any emergencies by calling the Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700 or 107 from a landline.
The Identikidz programme offers peace of mind to parents and an extra layer of protection for children during Cape Town’s busy summer months. It’s a vital part of ensuring a safe and enjoyable festive season at the City’s beaches.
Also read:
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/soyizwapi-hsbc-svns-cape-town/
Picture: City of Cape Town
