Cape Town - A series of near-fatal drownings along the Table View coastline have placed the spotlight on the deployment of City lifeguards at beaches ahead of the busy summer season.
This comes after two incidents near Bloubergstrand Beach at the weekend, in the absence of lifeguards.
Brandon Janeka, a resident of Heideveld, risked his life to rescue a man and a woman from drowning at the beach on Saturday.
Viral TikTok videos from the scene show a bystander noting there were no lifeguards present that day.
On Sunday, a child was reportedly transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition after nearly drowning at Table View beach.
The incidents follow a courageous lifeguard in Table View who last month also saved two suspected abalone poachers from drowning.
In July, two young soccer players tragically lost their lives at Lagoon Beach after getting caught in a rip current while playing beach soccer.
Their bodies were found the next day during a low spring tide.
The City said swimming is not advised along the Table View coastline, due to dangerous surf conditions and strong rip currents.
“Lifeguards are not currently present at Table View. From November 2024 onwards, however, a small team of lifeguards will begin duty.
“Rather than setting up a bathing area, this team will conduct regular visible patrols and educate the public about drowning prevention,” the City said.
“A safe swimming area can be found at Big Bay, to the north, and at Milnerton, to the south.
“Bathing areas are currently being established at these two locations daily.”
At Big Bay, lifeguards are on duty from 10am to 6pm, while in Milnerton, lifeguards are stationed at the lighthouse, also providing coverage from 10am to 6pm.
The Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club in Bloubergstrand confirmed that lifeguards are on duty at Milnerton, Big Bay, and Melkbosstrand.
“They are lifeguards that are employed by the City.
“On the first weekend of November voluntary lifeguards will start duty at Big Bay and Milnerton,” the club said.
Craig Lambinon, a spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), said City lifeguards are available at specific beaches.
He emphasised that if there are no lifeguards at a beach, people should find one where lifeguards are present.
“We do obviously always appeal to the public, have a safety-conscious mindset around water and preferably swim at beaches that are protected by lifeguards,” he said.
So far, 241 seasonal lifeguards have been hired and assigned to handle the increased beachgoers traffic.
Ward councillor Jonathan Mills said the Table View beach is not safe for swimming at any time.
“‘No swimming’ warning signs are present along the beachfront. Everyone is welcome to have fun on the sand and splash in the shallows but if you wish to swim please head to a beach where the conditions are suitable,” he said.
He explained that lifeguards are only stationed at beaches deemed safe for swimming. “It is not practical to have staff physically present to monitor every part of the coastline. Anyone swimming at any other location along Cape Town’s 300km of coastline does so at their own risk.”
Charl Jones, chairperson of the Milnerton Lifesaving Club, said they aren’t involved with the City’s decision-making or deployment processes.
He said beaches where professional lifeguards are already stationed include Milnerton Beach (Woodbridge Island), Big Bay (Eden on the Bay), and Melkbos.
“Notable beaches with no lifeguard presence are Lagoon Beach (the river mouth in Milnerton) and Dolphin Beach/Bloubergstrand,” he said.
Mills said the City regularly reviews its safety protocols and invests a lot of resources each year.
He advised beachgoers to pay attention to the signs when they arrive and to avoid drinking too much, as it can lead to poor judgement and slow reactions in risky situations.
“I think it is worth noting that despite the risks, and those who miss or ignore the warnings, we didn’t have a single drowning during peak beach-season last year and we hope to make that a habit every year,” Mills said.
byron.lukas@inl.co.za