Cape Town’s holiday season has been marred by a sharp increase in drownings

City statistics show nine fatal drownings and 34 non-fatal drownings from Tuesday September 24 last year to Monday January 13 this year.

Last year’s festive season recorded two fatal and five non-fatal drownings.

Mayoral committee member for community service and health Patricia van der Ross said there were four fatal and 10 non-fatal drownings between Milnerton Lagoon Beach and Melkbosstrand from Sunday September 22 last year to Monday January 13.

At Table View Beach on New Year’s Day, a 46-year-old Philippi man got caught in rip currents and drowned.

The incident happened just after 12.30pm, according to National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Melkbosstrand commander Hein Kohne.

Two beachgoers, a father and daughter, had brought the man to shore, where despite CPR efforts by paramedics, he had been declared dead, Mr Kohne said.

Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club chairman Charl Jones said people should only swim when lifeguards were on duty and not enter the water while intoxicated.

“Always adhere to lifeguard instructions, and don’t let kids swim without adult supervision even if there are lifeguards present,” added Mr Jones.

If caught in a rip current, try to stay calm and signal for help, he said.

On Tuesday May 14 last year, Pierre Lotter, 23, and his uncle, Willem Pretorius, drowned while they were fishing at Kids Rock in Bloubergstrand with their three dachshunds. Mr Pretorius’s body washed ashore on Sunday May 19 and Mr Lotter’s body was found by the NSRI three days later (“Tragic end to search for man, 23, and three dogs,” Tabletalk, May 22, 2024).

In July last year, Buhle “Gora” Pantshwa and Siyamthanda “Zaya” Mqolombeni, drowned at Lagoon Beach (“Sad farewell for drowned soccer players,” Tabletalk, July 31, 2024), and in December, a Belhar man drowned at Milnerton Beach (“Belhar man’s body recovered at beach,” Tabletalk, December 4, 2024).

The public can call the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cell phone and 107 from a landline in emergencies.