South Africa

South Africa, Maverick News

Sun, sand and safety — essential guidelines for enjoying South Africa's beaches this summer

Lifeguard Tyler Sawyer says it is importantto bringing swimmers into the swim zone and removing people from danger before it occurs. (Photo: Vincent Cruywagen)

By Siyabonga Goni, Suné Payne and Vincent Cruywagen

18 Dec 2024

Know where there is lifeguard presence at the beach you’re visiting, understand the rip currents, supervise the young, know who to call if there is an emergency, and absolutely key is to remember that alcohol and swimming do not mix.

Beaches around the country are set to welcome a wave of locals and tourists looking to enjoy the sun, sand and sea this festive season, but with this increased beach activity comes the need for increased awareness of safety measures.

Know where there is lifeguard presence at the beach you’re visiting, understand the rip currents, supervise the young, know who to call if there is an emergency, and absolutely key is to remember that alcohol and swimming do not mix.

WESTERN CAPE

Cape Town Beach Safety

Lifeguards deployed at 29 beaches

More than 680 lifeguards would be deployed to 29 beaches and swimming pools for the summer tourism boom, said the City of Cape Town. There will be 340 beach lifeguards and 343 swimming pool lifeguards.

Lifeguards will be on duty at 29 different beaches, tidal pools, stretches of coast, and all public swimming pools between 10am and 6pm daily. Partners include Lifesaving Cape Town, with 14 clubs along the coast, and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

According to Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, there are no safe places to put your belongings when swimming at all beaches.

“Beachgoers are responsible for looking after their own belongings,” said Smith.

In terms of a beachfront safety office, Smith told Daily Maverick that: “All popular beachfront areas have a safety presence, whether static in the form of an office/base, or roving, through daily deployments.

“Drinking is not permitted in any public space. The public is reminded to drink only in establishments that have the requisite licences, or on private property.”

Smith said there were no cameras at the beaches.

“No, there are no CCTV cameras at all beaches. However, the City’s Safety and Security Directorate has a number of other technologies at its disposal, including the Eye in the Sky, drones and other aerial patrols, where need be, to monitor some of the busiest beach areas over the peak festive season.”

Red flags indicate where you should not swim. (Photo: Siyabonga Goni)

Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross, said the City had 29 beaches, tidal pools and stretches of coast where lifeguards were deployed, with the relevant lifesaving equipment.

“The public is advised to swim only when lifeguards are on duty, in the bathing areas designated by their red and yellow flags,” said Ross.

Read more: Monwabisi Beach double drowning feared — man trying to rescue 12-year-old disappears in rip tide

She urged the public to be mindful of the golden rules for summer. Beware of rip currents, don’t swim under the influence of alcohol, and always actively monitor children in and around water.

Fatal drownings were down 26% in the 2023/24 summer season when compared with the season before. Thirty non-fatal drownings, 14 fatal drownings and 80 rescues were recorded along the coast in the 2023/24 season. There were no fatal or non-fatal drownings at municipal swimming pools.

The Clifton Lifesaving Club. (Photo: Supplied)

Clifton Beach

Daily Maverick spoke to Christina Mallion, the brand and media officer for Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club. According to Mallion, Clifton Surf provides volunteer lifeguards on weekends and public holidays along the four Clifton beaches.

“Clifton Surf provides volunteer lifeguards on weekends and public holidays along the four Clifton beaches. We have approximately 130 lifeguards in eight squads of 16 lifeguards patrolling at any given time within our duty dates and hours. Clifton lifeguards cover the beaches from 10am to 6pm on public holidays and Sundays, and noon to 6pm on Saturdays,” said Mallion.

She told Daily Maverick that, unfortunately, Clifton did not have any storage or locker facilities.

“We always advise members of the public to lock away their valuables in their cars or leave them at home. Certain items that are needed on one’s person should always be kept close in a bag and watched at all times.

“For the most part, the beaches are safe, however there are some opportunists who will steal items left unattended. Purchasing a waterproof pouch is also a great solution to keep your phone or keys on your person at all times with no fear of them being stolen when swimming,” said Mallion.

Clifton lifesavers on patrol. (Photo: Supplied)

Clifton is fortunate to have a City Improvement District operating in the area that provides top-up services to the neighbourhood. The City Improvement District works with all services in the area to ensure everyone’s safety. There is also roaming law enforcement throughout the summer months along the beaches and traffic and Metro police often conduct searches at the beach entrances for alcohol and prohibited items, as well as on the roads during traffic stops. The Clifton City Improvement District and other policing services operate out of the district’s office at the 4th Beach parking lot.

According to Mallion, there are various policing services that patrol the beaches, walkways and promenades.

“The reality is that law enforcers cannot be everywhere at once, so it is always best to be aware at the beach and remove yourself from any situation where you feel uncomfortable. Should anyone visit the beaches this summer, it is always a good idea to have the local area emergency numbers saved on your phone in case an incident occurs,” said Mallion.

‘The beach and alcohol do not mix’

Mallion added that it was illegal to consume alcohol in public spaces in South Africa, so drinking on the beach or anywhere in the public would result in your arrest, the confiscation of your alcohol and a fine.

“The vast majority of our drownings and incidents in the water take place because of people having been drinking on the beach or coming to the beach after having consumed alcohol. The beach and alcohol do not mix! As lifeguards, we cannot stress this enough. Do not drink at the beach. The ocean is dangerous to untrained people and being under the influence in the ocean is incredibly risky,” said Mallion.

The Clifton beaches and surroundings have 24/7 camera surveillance. The City Improvement District and local law enforcement do monitor these cameras and use them to combat crime, antisocial behaviour, drinking on the beach and for various other purposes.

According to provincial SAPS commander Colonel Andrè Traut, deployments of police would be of such a nature that areas with higher crime rates would be prioritised. Daily Maverick has previously reported that, according to Smith, the hotspots include Manenberg, Mitchells Plain, Hanover Park, Atlantis, Elsies River, Lavender Hill and Khayelitsha.

The Camps Bay lifeguards’ office. (Photo: Siyabonga Goni)

Garden Route

Along with water quality being safe for swimming, there is another aspect: safety for both humans and animals.

‘We are sorted’ — Struisbaai

When it comes to the Cape Agulhas municipality, which has several prime beaches including Struibaai Main and Struisbaai North beaches, the National Sea Rescue Institute keeps an eye on swimming safety. The municipality told Daily Maverick that “lifeguards started work on 10 December until 10 January. There will be four at Struisbaai Main Beach, two Struisbaai-North, two at Bikini Beach in Arniston, two at Kassiesbaai in Arniston and two at Roman Beach Arniston.

The municipality told Daily Maverick this week that while it did not have storage lockers for personal belongings, “we have security guards and law enforcement on site and also patrolling the beach”.

There is security on the beaches, with security operating as well as law enforcement. The police are on call for any safety issues.

No alcohol is allowed on any beach or open spaces.

Diaz Beach, Mossel Bay

In Mossel Bay, lifeguards have been appointed at Diaz beach with allocations of between three and eight lifeguards, “depending on the popularity of the beach and the number of beachgoers”.

The municipality has asked the public to only swim when lifeguards are on duty, to only swim in demarcated areas, and to be mindful of lifeguard instructions.

Lifeguards at Clifton. (Photo: Supplied)

Follow the rules. (Photo: Siyabonga Goni)

Blue Flag Grotto Beach

In the Overstrand municipality, Grotto Beach is a swimmer’s paradise. Deputy Mayor Lindile Ntsabo told Daily Maverick this week that “we are ready in terms of our resources”. The coastal municipality, stretching from Rooi Els to Hermanus, launched its summer disaster readiness plan on Wednesday, 18 December 2024, which unpacked some of its strategy for the holiday season. Ntsabo said the municipality was expecting numerous visitors, especially since schools had closed. Ntsabo said that just last week at one of the local beaches more than 1,200 beachgoers were recorded over the course of the day.

Lifeguards have been employed and put into action, including at Grotto Beach. Ntsabo said the municipality was working with local law enforcement authorities and local neighbourhood watches, and provincial traffic enforcement to keep both residents and visitors safe.

In a separate media release, the municipality reminded residents that dogs were not allowed on Blue Flag beaches and must be kept on leashes at other beaches.

There were also municipal-provided butt cones for the disposal of cigarette butts. Alcohol was not allowed.

There would also be beach wheelchairs available at Grotto Beach for people with disabilities.

Alert for rabies in Cape fur seals

While warnings have been issued for human safety, the safety of animals is also becoming an issue. In Bitou, warnings have been issued since September over a rabies outbreak in seals. According to a notice issued by municipal manager Mbulelo Memani, some beaches have been designated as “dog-on-leash” areas. This was in a bid to prevent the spread of rabies to other animals.

Bitou Municipality has confirmed there were four confirmed cases of rabies and one suspected case among a population of approximately 8,000 seals. In a joint statement by Bitou Municipality, CapeNature and the Plett Tourism Association, municipal Environmental Manager Anje Minne reassured beachgoers that “Bitou’s local beaches remain safe for recreational use, despite the recent discovery of rabies in Cape Fur seals”.

The Mossel Bay municipality confirmed this week that it too had cases of confirmed rabies in seals.

Some guidelines include:

Keep a distance from seals at all times, both in water and on land.

It is illegal to disturb or injure a seal in any way. Do not chase, touch or attempt to restrain a seal.

Ensure that dogs are under control and always on a leash.

Do not touch, handle or consume a seal carcass or any parts thereof.

Listen for and obey requests to vacate the sea or coastal areas as given by municipal officials, lifesaving staff, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment staff or their representatives.

If bitten by a seal, rinse the wound immediately with soap and water for 5-10 minutes and urgently seek medical attention.

Report any seals ashore or seal-related incidents immediately to the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (Smart – 072 227 4715), Dr Hofmeyr – (071 724 2122) or the municipality — 044 606 5000 (24/7).

Graphic: (Supplied / Mossel Bay Municipality)

West Coast

Lifeguards, the National Sea Rescue Institute, the police, the Fire Department, and Metro law enforcement will all be on duty on the West Coast beaches this summer season to prevent drownings, alcohol abuse on beaches, and tragic road accidents, which are often caused by drunk driving.

Daily Maverick spoke with lifeguard Tyler Sawyer, 22, to get a sense of what it’s like to be on duty along the beaches at this time of year, when the beaches are a buzz of activity. He is one of almost 50 full-time lifeguards, excluding volunteers, who will keep an eye on swimmers on West Coast beaches. He works for the City as a professional lifeguard.

Lifeguard Tyler Sawyer says it is importantto bringing swimmers into the swim zone and removing people from danger before it occurs. (Photo: Vincent Cruywagen)

Being a lifeguard, Sawyer said, was a passion that kept him busy and active while also instilling a feeling of responsibility.

“Over the previous seven years, I’ve saved many people, ranging from children to the elderly. Many people believe you are looking for a rescue, but it is more of a preventive measure.

“We ensure that things do not go wrong. It is basically looking ahead by bringing swimmers into the swim zone and removing people from danger before it occurs,” Sawyer said.

Stay within swim flags

Sawyer highlighted the importance of swim flags, stating that the area between them was the safest portion of the beach. His advice to non- swimmers was to avoid going too deep and instead enjoy the shallow waters.

People’s indicators of difficulties in water vary greatly. Some people, Sawyer continued, become passive, indicating that they were uncomfortable in the water; they either started bouncing up and down, panicking, or went completely silent.

To legally operate a beach, at least four lifeguards must be on duty. During most of the festive season, four to 11 lifeguards are expected to be on duty, particularly for Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s.

Although lifeguards work till 6pm they will work until 8pm on important days like Boxing Day and New Year, when thousands are expected at the beaches.

Mario Jacobs, the Senior Manager, Public Safety for Saldanha Bay Municipality, said the municipality had appointed the National Sea Rescue Institute to assist with beach safety from 13 December to 15 January.

He reiterated that no drinking would be allowed at beaches. The recognised crime hotspots and measures in place to prevent unnecessary gang-related crime are located in the suburbs of Vredenburg and Saldanha.

The Saldanha Bay Municipality’s Public Safety Department has several divisions, including but not limited to Traffic Services, Fire and Rescue Services, Law Enforcement, Security Management, and Disaster Risk Management. These divisions serve as the foundation of public safety, and are aimed at improving safety during the festive season.

Jacobs’ message to holidaymakers and visitors was to work together to make this season truly remarkable and unforgettable, embracing a spirit of enjoyment, rather than disruption.

To residents, he said: “Let’s engage with one another to cultivate a sense of safety and connection, rather than fear.”

Surveillance would continuously be maintained. CCTV cameras would operate around the clock, and any concerns regarding public safety should be reported to 022 701 6834.

EASTERN CAPE

Strengthened festive plans to ensure a safe season

In a province that was rocked by violent crime this year, the police and municipalities pulled out all the stops to bolster safety plans.

There are only a few Blue Flag Beaches in the Eastern Cape, with two in the Kouga Municipality (Dolphin Beach and Cape St Francis), three in Nelson Mandela Bay (Kings Beach, Humewood, Hobie) and at Kariega, Kelly’s and Middle Kenton-on-Sea beaches in the Ndlambe Municipality based in Port Alfred.

Safety Plans

DA Ward Councillor Sean Tappan, in whose ward the Blue Flag beaches for Nelson Mandela Bay are situated, said their concerns about beachfront safety were addressed with a new safety plan launched by mayor Babalwa Lobishe last week, and also through the cooperation of civil society initiatives and private security firms.

He pointed out, however, that the council had not approved the programme. The metro also did not have a traditional opening of the season programme, leading to a cheeky invite from the DA Mayor of Kouga, Hattingh Bornman, to residents to join their party over the New Year instead.

Lobishe’s plan indicates that there will be an increase in foot patrols and roadblocks, as well as traffic control. Tourism monitors to assist visitors were also appointed as many cruise ships stop at the Port Elizabeth Harbour at this time of the year.

Buffalo City launched its safety plan for beaches early in December and indicated that it would have 43 lifeguards on duty.

“As the Buffalo City Metro welcomes the influx of people coming in the city for the festive season, we want to make sure that they understand the importance of keeping road rules. We also urge parents to not give children their cars as law enforcement will not take that lightly,” Buffalo City Mayor Princess Faku said.

A safety plan for the Wild Coast Beaches was also launched by the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in Mthatha. In early festive season operations about 200 illegal weapons were confiscated by the police.

Ndlambe Municipality, based in Port Alfred, also launched an extensive safety plan for its beaches, including the Kenton-on-Sea beaches, in early December.

Cleanliness

Tappan said the beaches did not have the full complement of the public works programme, but the appointed cleaners said they would work overtime.

For disabled beachgoers the beach can be accessed from Happy Valley where there were special wheelchairs and mats available. There was also beach access at East London beaches for disabled people thanks to work from the South African Human Rights Commission. The Blue Flag beaches in Kouga and Kabeljauws Beach in Jeffreys Bay had also been equipped to provide disabled access.

Beach Security

Tappan said that in the week before the opening of the festive season card scammers and robbers were arrested. He said private security companies would be very visible and there were cameras from the Mandela Bay Development Agency and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber to monitor activity along the beachfront.

Lifeguards were on duty at all popular beaches.

In Kouga, a 43-person law enforcement team was deployed to monitor visitor safety at the beaches in Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay. Bornman also said lifeguards would be on duty from 2 December to 17 January at Kabeljauws Beach and the lagoon, Pellsrus Beach, Aston Bay Beach and the lagoon, Paradise Beach, St Francis Main Beach, Granny’s Pool and Oyster Bay.

There would also be increased traffic control.

Russel Kruger from the Wild Coast Holiday Association said they were pleased with some significant ongoing interventions by law enforcement and a bolstered police presence in the area. DM

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