Cape Town: The adverse weather over the long weekend have kept many bathers off the beaches but it will not keep away determined revellers as the Identikidz Programme of the City of Cape Town, which saw over 14,000 tagged children.
The Recreation and Parks Department brought excitement and joy to young people this past weekend with events that aims to promote recreation, community engagement and environmental awareness.
Reportedly, Identikidz was coordinated by the Community, Arts and Culture Development Department of the City of Cape Town, who tagged 14,396 children across 15 beaches, while eight lost children were reunited with their families.
As per the records based on location, Muizenberg was busiest with 2,283 tagged children who were followed by Strandfontein (2021) and Strand (1747).
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Patricia Van der Ross said that it is a positive start to the festive season as there were still many people on the beach for the long weekend. It is comforting to know that parents and guardians make use of Identikidz.
More than the next few weeks, beaches will become busier and the crowds will only get bigger so it is important for those who are visiting with small children to find the Identikidz Programme registration desks and get their little ones tagged.
Councillor Van der Ross added that 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 the most vulnerable bathers.
She mentioned, “I encourage adults to keep an eye on the children in their care and especially when they are in or near the water. We should all take beach safety seriously.”
At the Recreation Beach Festival at Silwerstroom Beach on Saturday, Dec 14, 2024 over 100 youth from Atlantis and Dunoon joined the celebration.
This is a free public event that features a variety of fun-filled activities that brought the sun, sand and sea together with valuable learning opportunities.
Identikidz Programme highlighted a water safety talk presented by the lifeguards, Blue Flag environmental awareness on keeping beaches clean and various recreational activities such as beach rugby, cricket, sandcastle building, relays and beach tennis.
Moreover, the participants enjoyed the fun activities while soaking up the sun and learning vital skills, leaving the beach with smiles and memories to last a lifetime.
The Recreation and Parks Area Central Team of City of Cape Town on Monday, Dec 16, 2024 hosted a Recreation Festival that attracted more than 200 participants at Erica Park in Belhar.
Cape Town’s Recreation Festival was designed to provide a platform for youth involved in after-school and holiday programmes to connect with each other and highlighted the importance of recreation in building stronger communities.
The event day featured a variety of activities such as inflatable obstacle courses, team-building games, dodgeball, giant board games and more.
This festivity aims to inspire young people to engage in recreation and encourage others in their communities to join in as well.
The Recreation Festival will become an annual event that continuously provides a platform for youth to participate in exciting activities that promote teamwork and active lifestyles.
Councillor Patricia Van der Ross explained that these events showcase the power of recreation in shaping young minds and foster a sense of community.
According to Ross, it is very heart-warming to witness the energy and enthusiasm of the youth as they engage in activities that promote their physical, mental and social development.
“We are committed to create more opportunities for young people to learn, grow and connect with their communities and just to simply have fun,” concluded Van der Ross.