By Mogamat Amén Strydom
As thousands of families prepare to flock to Cape Town’s beaches for the festive season, the city is once again rolling out its flagship child-safety initiative: the Identikidz programme.
Speaking to VOC News, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, expressed that she was pleased with the return of the programme, which is set for the 15th of December, lasting throughout the festive period.
“It’ll be across most of our busiest beaches, right through December and into January,” she explained.
“The programme itself is really about putting child safety first over the festive season. When parents or caregivers arrive at the beach, they can look out for our city-branded tents where they can register their child, and the child is then given a wristband with a unique serial number linked to the caregiver’s details.”
Higham highlighted the critical role Identikidz plays when beaches become crowded and families become separated. Last year alone, the program registered over 133,000 children— and successfully reunited more than 300 who had been separated from their families. She said the process not only supports the city’s emergency response but also helps ease the distress of a lost child.
“Obviously, there’s a little bit of panic at the start, when you can’t see your mom and dad or can’t find your little one,” Higham noted. “Through the system, we try to make sure families are reunited and reduce some of that trauma and panic that happens in that moment. It also gives families peace of mind.”
However, she stressed that Identikidz is not a substitute for parental supervision. While the programme offers an essential safety net during peak season, Higham emphasised that caregivers still need to remain vigilant. The system, she said, is designed to support families, not replace the responsibility of watching over children on busy beaches.
Photo: @CityofCT / City of Cape Town on X
