The City of Cape Town’s Identikidz programme has seen more than 14 000 children tagged since its launch earlier this month.
The City’s mayoral committee member for community services and health, Patricia van der Ross, said 14 396 children across 15 beaches were tagged while eight lost children were reunited with their families.
By location, Muizenberg was the busiest with 2 283 children tagged, followed by Strandfontein with 2 021, and Strand with 1 747.
Ms Van der Ross said that it was comforting to know that parents made use of the Identikidz programme where children are registered and given an identification tag or wrist band should they get separated from their families.
Over the next few weeks, she said, beaches will become busier and crowds will only get bigger so it is important for those visiting with small children to find the Identikidz registration desks and get their children tagged.
During the last festive season more than 130 000 children were tagged, with 302 reunions.
“Young children inevitably wander off or are confused by crowds and Identikidz provides an extra layer of protection for our most vulnerable bathers. I encourage adults to keep an eye on the children in their care and especially when they are in or near the water,” said MsVan der Ross.
