Edgar Hartnick and Joshua Julies have launched a campaign to ensure the continuation of a City of Cape Town-funded beach safety programme at Harmony Park in Gordon’s Bay that has proven successful in preventing diving accidents.
Hartnick and Julies, both disabled as a result of diving accidents, founded the Diving Awareness Project, also known as “Echoes of Hope”, as an initiative to share their experiences and educate the public, particularly young people, about the dangers of diving head-first (“Resort casualties proactively raise awareness on diving dangers”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 19 October 2022).
They work with two other disabled community members, and, along with their assistants or helpers, they are eight in total.
“We’ve been working with the City’s beach-buddies programme for the past two years,” said Hartnick, “and it’s been incredibly effective. Since we started there hasn’t been a single diving accident when we’ve been present and engaging the beach-goers.”
Hartnick himself was a victim after diving from the base of the peer at Harmony Park when just 14 years old back in 1999. Julies was paralysed after an accident at Monwabisi 20 years ago.
Julies added: “Our personal stories resonate deeply with young people. We can show them first-hand why diving is so dangerous. We don’t want others to go through what we have.”
While the awareness project is ongoing and has proven to be successful (“Echoes of Hope continues to engage”, 18 January 2023), the future of the beach buddies programme, however, is now in jeopardy due to a 50% budget cut by the City. Despite the potential financial implications, Hartnick and Julies are determined to continue.
“We’re willing to work for less pay, even if it means only being available during peak periods,” said Hartnick. “This programme is vital for safety, and we’re committed to doing everything we can to keep it going.”
Beyond the safety aspect, the two disabled individuals also emphasise the importance of inclusion. “As disabled people we want to feel we’re contributing to our community,” said Julies. “This programme gives us a platform to share our experience and make a difference.”
Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee member for Community Services and Health, confirmed “The Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) budget has been significantly cut for the current financial year, impacting on all programmes, not just the Beach Buddies programme”.
She explained that while the programme is still operational its capacity has been reduced.
“In addition to the roving Beach Buddies, who engage patrons regarding the dangers of diving off the pier, there is signage placed at strategic points at City beaches.”
Van der Ross added that the City remained committed to promoting safety at its beaches.
“The Recreation and Parks Department actively promotes universal access to Facilities and Programmes.”
She encouraged individuals with disabilities who feel excluded to provide specific details about the programmes in question.
She also confirmed that the City has already allocated the entire budget for the 2024-’25 season.
“If this situation changes or should additional budget become available the department would consider extending the Beach Buddy programme,” she said.
