Cape Town's Identikidz Programme tags nearly 130,000 children for beach safety

You have seen them on the beaches, those helpful ladies from the City of Cape Town with their mostly orange T-shirts on, eager to put tags on kids to ensure their safety and your peace of mind.

Yes, the Identikidz Programme, implemented by the Community Services and Health Directorate, aims to ensure the safety of young children. Running from 15 December 2025 until 18 January 2026, this safety initiative saw a significant increase in participation, with nearly 130,000 children tagged, compared to just over 124,500 in the previous year.

Since its inception in 2016, the Identikidz Programme has grown substantially, now covering 15 of Cape Town’s busiest beaches, including those at the popular destinations of Strand, Muizenberg, and Strandfontein. In a noteworthy validation of the program's effectiveness, officials reported no instances of lost children this season. Notably, the busiest days saw Strand tag 831 children, Muizenberg 674, and Strandfontein 594.

As families flocked to the beaches for sun-soaked days, the initiative provided caregivers with the peace of mind needed to relax while enjoying their outings. This past weekend alone, 4,794 children were tagged, with support from 53 officials and 159 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) staff members. In total, the season recorded 227 reunions, demonstrating the effectiveness of the programme in successfully reuniting children with their caregivers.

Despite the success, there were five instances where children were handed over to the Department of Social Development (DSD) after their caregivers could not be located by the end of the beach day, a decrease from 11 last season. This highlights the importance of continued vigilance and safety measures while enjoying water-based activities.

Speaking on the programme's success, Mayco member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the hard work of staff and dedication from parents.

“Identikidz has been a resounding success in keeping our younger bathers safe. Thank you also to the thousands of parents who trusted the programme to participate and register their children,” she said. She further reminded caregivers to keep a watchful eye on children, particularly on weekends, when beach and pool attendance peaks.

As the summer continues, Higham emphasised the importance of adhering to the four golden rules of drowning prevention:

• Swim only between the lifeguards’ red and yellow flags at beaches.
• Do not swim under the influence of alcohol.
• Be alert to the dangers of rip currents.
• Actively supervise children at all times, especially around water.

For more information on the City’s water safety efforts, residents are encouraged to visit www.thesafezone.co.za.