New Partnership Expands Water Safety Education in Richards Bay

The NSRI has secured a significant three-year partnership with the Victor Daitz Foundation and World Relief Australia to fund a dedicated Drowning Prevention Instructor in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

This initiative marks an important step toward strengthening water safety education in one of South Africa’s highest-risk drowning regions.

The Victor Daitz Foundation approved the project before processing the details through its overseas delivery partner, reinforcing a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable communities through education and prevention.

Addressing a Growing Need in KZN

KZN consistently records some of the highest drowning rates in South Africa, making drowning prevention an important public health priority. As a major hub for maritime trade, tourism, fishing, and leisure activities, its coastline, rivers, and dams are deeply woven into daily life, with many residents relying on water for both livelihood and recreation. But this also brings increased risks for many communities.

Through the NSRI’s Drowning Prevention Programme, children from under-resourced communities in Richards Bay will receive free Survival Swimming and Water Safety Education lessons. These programmes are designed not only to teach practical life-saving skills, but also to encourage long-term awareness and resilience within communities.

Teaching Lifesaving Skills

At the centre of the initiative is NSRI Drowning Prevention Instructor Mncedisi “Tata” Hlalatu, who works closely with schools and teachers to deliver water safety education to 30 000 children annually. Six schools in Richards Bay have been identified to participate in the programme during 2026.

The Water Safety Education component teaches children how to identify safe and unsafe water environments, understand water-related risks, and know how to call for help without placing themselves in danger. Alongside this, Survival Swimming equips children with four critical survival skills: breath control, orientation in the water, floating, and kicking or moving to safety.

On average, learners need about 8 lessons to confidently develop these abilities.

Creating a Culture of Safety

Importantly, the programme’s impact extends beyond the children themselves. As learners share their knowledge at home and within their communities, water safety awareness can spread more broadly, helping to reduce drowning incidents and other water-related emergencies over time.

Teaching children how to respond to unexpected water immersion is not simply an extracurricular activity; it is a valuable life skill that can build confidence and potentially save lives for years to come.

The project also promotes long-term sustainability by equipping children with skills they can carry throughout their lives. Safe behaviour around water, risk awareness, and basic survival techniques can be applied across many environments and circumstances, contributing to safer, more resilient communities.

Looking Toward the Future

The NSRI’s long-term goal is to reach every child in South Africa with Water Safety Education and Survival Swimming during their school years. Currently, the NSRI reaches nearly one million children annually through its Drowning Prevention activities. With an estimated 16.5 million children under 15 in South Africa, the need for expanded access to these programmes remains significant.

By investing in prevention, education, and youth development, this partnership is helping to support safer futures for children across Richards Bay.