On Tuesday, 12 May, NSRI volunteers from Station 42 Kleinmond rescued 23 stranded farm workers and their families, including babies, elderly residents and vulnerable individuals, during severe flooding between Worcester and Rawsonville.
Rescue teams battled dangerous floodwaters for hours to bring everyone to safety in a heartbreaking operation that also saw the recovery of three fatalities.
Watch the video below to hear the rescuers tell the story in their own words.
To mark World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, the NSRI ran a "Turn Around, Don't Drown" flood awareness campaign, encouraging South Africans to recognise the dangers of floodwaters and make safer decisions during severe weather.
The campaign included the distribution of flood safety rulers to selected schools, as well as social media and TaxiTV awareness campaigns to reinforce this important safety message.
It culminated in a public activation at the V&A Waterfront, where visitors learnt more about the NSRI's work through interactive water safety presentations, a live Pink Rescue Buoy demonstration and hands-on CPR lessons.
Photo of the Month: July 2026
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