Beach tags for young ones

THE City’s social development and early childhood development department is spearheading the Identikidz project on beaches this summer.

The project has become an integral component of Cape Town’s festive season safety plan.

Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Zahid Badroodien, said: “Identikidz has grown and the results are truly astounding. It provides peace of mind to parents on busy beach days, when children can get lost, and it makes the task to reunite them far simpler.”

During the 2018/19 festive season more than 100 000 children were tagged at beaches – a 132% increase on the previous year.

A total of 535 children were reunited with their families.

This year, the project will be implemented at Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Strandfontein, Gordon’s Bay, Strand, Monwabisi, Harmony Park, Mnandi, Big Bay, Sea Point, Silwerstroom, Camps Bay, Lagoon Beach, Melkbosstrand and Milnerton Beach.

It will run from December 14 to January 12.

All children arriving at participating beaches will be registered and issued with an identification armband.

“Identikidz is a massive undertaking. We are doing everything possible to keep children safe, but this doesn’t absolve parents and caregivers of their responsibility,” said Badroodien.

He urged parents to register their children as soon as they arrive at the beach, and to ensure they keep their cellphone close by and charged. |