Turning the tide on high drowning rates

The South African Maritime Authority (SAMSA), together with the Department of Transport (DoT), recently supported the NSRI in bringing drowning prevention and water safety skills to students from eight schools in Gauteng.

SAMSA and the NSRI have a long history of collaboration, and this year extended the partnership to drowning prevention activities as part of Mandela Day, to bring critical water safety skills to 10 000 children in Gauteng. The inspiration? The words of Madiba: “It is in your hands to make our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised.”

Recent award-winning research from the NSRI’s Drowning Prevention team revealed that Gauteng – even though it is landlocked and the smallest of the country’s nine provinces – has the highest incidence of drownings in the country in the 5-19 years age category.

Earlier this year, learners from Glen Austin Primary School were the first beneficiaries of this partnership aimed at reducing these tragic figures, followed by learners from Iphuteng Primary School.

In their most recent collaborative effort, the NSRI and SAMSA teamed up with the Department of Transport (DoT) for an event that provided water safety education to 358 Gauteng learners, of whom 200 also received Survival Swimming lessons. The two-day event coincided with World Maritime Day on 28 September, and saw learners and teachers from eight schools arrive at Mount Amanzi resort in Hartbeespoort to receive these drowning prevention skills.

The Hartbeespoort event has now brought SAMSA and the NSRI that much closer to their target, with assistance from the DoT, which generously provided transport so that the following schools could participate: MMakau Moemise Primary, Tsogo Secondary, Morekolodi Primary, Malatse Motsepe Secondary, Leokeng Primary, Leokeng Secondary, Mogale Secondary, Ithuteng Primary.

“Despite the cold weather, the learners were super excited to be part of this experience,” says Survival Swimming Project Coordinator Nazreen Adams. “The feedback from the DoT was positive, and it wishes to continue to support Drowning Prevention events in 2024 in the Bojanala Platinum District that borders Gauteng and North West Provinces.”

The NSRI thanks SAMSA and the DoT for its generous contribution to saving the lives of South Africa’s children, and looks forward to continued partnership in bringing water safety to the nation.

These collaborative efforts have set a powerful precedent for water safety education and awareness in the region, a testament to the positive change that can be achieved when civic and government organisations come together with a shared commitment to empower youth.