Record number of children safely reunited at Cape Town beaches this season

This season, 227 children were separated and safely reunited, while five were handed over to the Department of Social Development after caregivers could not be located by the end of the beach day. This marks an improvement on last year, which recorded 256 reunions and 11 DSD handovers.

In the water, lifeguards and emergency services remained busy, but outcomes point to improved safety. Since October 2025, 23 non-fatal drownings were recorded at Cape Town beaches, all of which could have ended tragically without swift rescues.

During the same period, five fatal drownings were recorded along the city’s coastline. All fatalities occurred outside designated bathing areas, underscoring the risks of swimming away from lifeguarded zones.

Beaches along the False Bay coastline recorded the highest number of Identikidz registrations, particularly Strand, Strandfontein and Muizenberg, reflecting both heavy footfall and strong uptake of safety measures. The programme runs until January 18.

Of the non-fatal incidents, all but three occurred along the False Bay coast, including four at Strand, four at Clovelly and three at Fish Hoek. More than half involved children between the ages of six and 17.

The City of Cape Town confirmed that Identikidz child safety progamme registered 101,780 children at participating beaches over the peak festive season, a 13.5% increase on last year’s 89,689 registrations and the programme’s best performance to date.

The initiative, run at 15 of the city’s busiest beaches as well as Maiden’s Cove on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, helps reunite lost children with caregivers quickly.

Mayco Member for Community Services and Health Francine Higham said the figures highlight both progress and ongoing risk.

“The statistics are a stark reminder that while our coastline is a wonderful attraction over summer, it needs to be approached with care and consideration,” Higham said.

“I want to commend everyone involved in our festive season operations. Your support of drowning prevention and child safety initiatives is a key reason why we have experienced one of our safest seasons yet.”

She cautioned that the danger period is not over, with another busy beach weekend expected as the holidays wind down.

Nationally, Lifesaving South Africa reported a surge in serious drowning incidents along the country’s coastline in early January, but noted that very few occurred during official lifeguard duty hours, reinforcing the importance of swimming only at patrolled beaches and between the red and yellow flags.

The City reiterated its four golden rules of drowning prevention: swim only between the flags, never swim under the influence of alcohol, remain alert to rip currents, and supervise children actively at all times.

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Cape Argus