The City of Cape Town will once again roll out its Identikidz programme at beaches in Strand and Gordon’s Bay this season.
The programme which aims to keep young beachgoers safe and provide accompanying parents and caregivers peace of mind when visiting the beach, will be run at 16 beaches during the peak festive season days. The programme will be initiated at Gordon’s Bay main beach, Strand Beach and Harmony Park on Thursday 15 December, which coincides with the end of the academic year.
Staffers of the City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development departments will be assisted by Expanded Public Works Programme workers at the beaches to register children and issue identification wristbands containing relevant contact details, should they get lost on the beach.
According to Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee member for Community Services and Health, the programme has proven to be one of the most successful festive season safety interventions.
Last festive season (between 16 December 2021 and 10 January 2022), more than 98 232 children were tagged at the participating beaches and 338 children were reunited with their families.
However, the programme’s continued success, requires teamwork, said Van der Ross.
“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,” explained Van der Ross.
“When you arrive at one of the participating beaches, find the registration point and get your children tagged. But, 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. 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.”
- The Identikidz programme will be implemented at the aforementioned Helderberg beaches including at Big Bay, Camps Bay, Fish Hoek, Lagoon Beach, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton, Mnandi, Monwabisi, Muizenberg, Sea Point and surrounds, Silwerstroom and Strandfontein between 09:00 and 18:30 on the following dates: Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 December) Saturday 24 – Monday 26 December) Saturday 31 December ) Sunday 1 January) Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 January) Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 January) Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 January
The project will also run at Maiden’s Cove on Monday 26 December and Sunday 1 and Monday 2 January.
Branded booths will be stationed at participating beaches where children’s details will be recorded. The waterproof wristbands will have a unique number on it which is recorded next to the details of the children during registration.
“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,” added Van der Ross.
