Parents urged to be more responsible
A number of unaccompanied children were found on beaches over the festive season.
AS the festive season draws to a close, Umdoni Municipality mayor, Thabani Dube, has issued a stern warning to beachgoers about ensuring they are safe while at the beach.
This follows the drowning of a four-year-old child and the increasing number of near drownings the municipality’s lifeguards have dealt with at various beaches.
“When looking at the number of unaccompanied children found, it appears that parental negligence too is on the rise,” said Cllr Dube.
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He added that lifeguards were forced into the difficult position of juggling the monitoring of beach activities with taking care of lost toddlers, dealing with on average 10 lost children a day.
In addition to the fatality, there were two separate near-drowning incidents involving children – aged a two and four respectively – both of whom were saved from drowning.
“The lifeguards are also commended on doing a tremendous job of saving the life of a highly-intoxicated 25-year-old man who had slipped from the rocks and fallen into the sea at Pennington beach,” said the mayor.
Umdoni’s Community Services Portfolio chairman, Sbongile Khathi,said she was shocked at the number of parents who neglected their children.
“Beaches are not only known for drowning, but also for children getting lost and not being found ever again.
“It is very important that parents raise their guard wherever they are with their children, not only at the beach but also at shopping centres.”
The municipality said it would place “serious focus” on creating beach safety awareness among all communities this year.
“We will also emphasise the need to keep the beach clean as we are preparing to apply for Blue Flag status,” added Cllr Khathi.
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