NATIONAL NEWS - “Most drownings are preventable, and we need to do even more to have fewer of these tragedies. Thank you to all stakeholders who work to save lives in this regard,” said Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said. 

Bredell was partaking in a World Drowning Day webinar organised by the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) to focus on drowning and ways to mitigate it from happening.

Bredell made specific reference to the work done by The National Sea Rescue Institute, Lifesaving WC and SA, Search and Rescue SA, and the Emergency Medical Services and Fire Services. 

“You are all dedicated role players who put your own lives in danger to carry out rescues to save others. I acknowledge and value your contributions,” he said.

Bredell said that according to the World Health Organisation, nearly 360 000 people lose their lives due to drowning annually, and more than half of these deaths are among people aged 25 years and younger. Drowning is the third leading cause of death in children between the ages of 5 to 14 worldwide.

“In South Africa the picture is also unfortunate. We are seeing approximately 1 500 fatal drownings each year, and about a third of those are children under the age of 14. The impact of lives lost on families and communities cannot be measured, neither can the effects of non-fatal drowning which may cause lifelong disabilities in victims,” said Bredell.

A recommendation from the Western Cape Strategic Framework for Drowning Prevention and Water Safety is to promote multi-sectoral partnerships and water safety collaborations.

In this regard, The Department of Local Government, through the PDMC, has been financially supporting Lifesaving WC and the National Sea Rescue Institute over several years with an annual grant of R376 000 to each organisation.

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