Cape Town is preparing for a safe, clean, and prosperous holiday season with its largest public safety operation yet. The Festive Beach Safety Plan includes over 4,000 security and emergency personnel, 330 beach law enforcement officers, and 340 beach lifeguards to ensure the safety of beachgoers. The city is also promoting cleanliness and partnering with organizations like Lifesaving Cape Town and the National Sea Rescue Institute for emergencies. Visitors are advised to follow safety procedures and swim in designated areas, and the city is planning for a bustling tourism season with markets and culinary experiences.
Cape Town’s Festive Beach Safety Plan 2021 includes the deployment of over 4,000 uniformed security and emergency personnel, 330 beach-focused law enforcement officers, 340 beach lifeguards, and 343 swimming pool lifeguards to ensure a safe environment for beachgoers. The city has also partnered with respected organizations like Lifesaving Cape Town and the National Sea Rescue Institute to provide support during emergencies. Visitors are advised to observe safety procedures and swim only in designated areas. Additionally, the city is promoting cleanliness and preparing for a prosperous tourism season.
Cape Town’s Preparations for the Holiday Season
As the anticipation of the holiday season fills the air, Cape Town is ready to greet both residents and visitors with an extraordinary public safety operation – the biggest in its history. The Festive Beach Safety Plan, inaugurated at the Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club on November 22 by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, is designed to ensure that Cape Town’s stunning, sparkling Blue Flag beaches are both a feast for the eyes and a place of safety.
In a bid to preserve the integrity of these sandy havens, the city has arranged for a substantial workforce of 330 beach-focused law enforcement officers. Collaborating with dedicated Beach Joint Operational Centres (JOCs), and reinforced by the deployment of over 4,000 uniformed security and emergency personnel, they form an impressive protective barrier safeguarding beachgoers from potential hazards.
Swimming, a favourite beach pastime, carries inherent risks like drowning. Acknowledging this, Cape Town has initiated a comprehensive drowning prevention campaign. Comprising of 340 beach lifeguards and 343 swimming pool lifeguards, the city is eliminating concerns of parents and guardians. These lifeguards will vigilantly patrol the beaches every day from 10:00 to 18:00.
Partnerships and Safety Rules
Promoting a cooperative approach, the city has teamed up with respected partners like Lifesaving Cape Town, which includes 14 coastal clubs, and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), whose rescue swimmers and boats are on standby for emergency deployments from their seven stations around the city.
Even with these positive advancements, the city still expresses worry over the 19 fatal beach drownings that transpired last summer. These distressing occurrences took place outside designated swimming zones or when lifeguards were not present. To avoid such accidents, Councillor Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, advises the public to strictly observe safety procedures. She advises swimmers to remain within the red and yellow flags marking the safest swimming areas, and to obey lifeguard directives.
In addition, the city has established four vital guidelines for everyone to follow when near or in water:
- Resist swimming while intoxicated.
- Always monitor children in or near water.
- Be alert to rip currents and calmly signal for help if trapped in one.
- Always swim at a beach with lifeguards on duty, particularly between their red and yellow flags.
Cleanliness and Tourism Initiatives
Apart from safety, the city is also dedicated to maintaining cleanliness. To achieve this, over 720 more staff will be stationed across all beaches, scenic routes, and the central business district. This additional service, costing R22 million, will help keep Cape Town spotless and pleasurable for everyone.
To promote responsible litter disposal, Cape Town’s anti-litter mascot, Bingo, will be visible at the beaches. Alongside the Public Awareness, Communication and Education Team, Bingo will inspire visitors to dispose of waste appropriately and keep Cape Town tidy.
While safety and cleanliness measures are being implemented, the city is also planning for a prosperous tourism season. Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, is hopeful about the city’s potential, citing promising data on forward bookings in the upcoming weeks.
With an estimated 31,000 passengers expected to pass through Cape Town International Airport daily until March, the city is preparing for a busy visitor season. This increase in visitors is not coincidental. It’s the outcome of the city’s effective promotional campaigns and tactics to lure travellers, both local and international, combined with the readiness of local businesses to accommodate tourists.
Apart from the beautiful beaches, visitors can also anticipate a series of markets for a taste of Cape Town. These markets, situated at the Company’s Gardens in the CBD, Ridgeworth near Bellville, Steenberg in the Southern Suburbs, and Atlantis, pledge to provide a delightful culinary experience and a sample of local culture.
In conclusion, Cape Town is meticulously planning for the festive season. With a comprehensive plan covering safety, cleanliness, and tourism, the city is ready to deliver an enjoyable, unforgettable holiday experience for everyone.
1. What is Cape Town doing to prepare for the holiday season?
Cape Town is implementing its largest public safety operation yet, the Festive Beach Safety Plan, which includes over 4,000 security and emergency personnel, 330 beach law enforcement officers, and 340 beach lifeguards to ensure the safety of beachgoers. They are also promoting cleanliness and partnering with organizations like Lifesaving Cape Town and the National Sea Rescue Institute for emergencies.
2. How many lifeguards will be present at Cape Town’s beaches during the holiday season?
There will be 340 beach lifeguards and 343 swimming pool lifeguards present at Cape Town’s beaches during the holiday season.
3. What should visitors do to ensure their safety while swimming in Cape Town’s beaches?
Visitors are advised to follow safety procedures and swim in designated areas. They should remain within the red and yellow flags marking the safest swimming areas, and obey lifeguard directives. Additionally, they should be alert to rip currents and calmly signal for help if trapped in one.
4. What is Cape Town doing to maintain cleanliness during the holiday season?
Cape Town is stationing over 720 more staff across all beaches, scenic routes, and the central business district to keep the city clean. They are also promoting responsible litter disposal with the help of their anti-litter mascot, Bingo.
5. What is the estimated number of passengers expected to pass through Cape Town International Airport daily until March?
The estimated number of passengers expected to pass through Cape Town International Airport daily until March is 31,000.
6. What can visitors anticipate apart from the beaches during the holiday season in Cape Town?
Apart from the beaches, visitors can anticipate a series of markets for a taste of Cape Town, situated at the Company’s Gardens in the CBD, Ridgeworth near Bellville, Steenberg in the Southern Suburbs, and Atlantis, that pledge to provide a delightful culinary experience and a sample of local culture.
