The City has implemented its child safety Identikidz Program during the festive season, registering nearly 12,000 children. The program aims to enhance child safety across 16 beaches in the Mother City. According to the City, more than 11,990 children were tagged within two days.
“This initiative is free and will be available at several of the busiest beaches. Parents whose children are joining other families and friends are encouraged to ensure that children visit the green container upon arrival and are provided with a contact phone number before leaving home,” stated Mayoral Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
If you have missed it, you still have time to register on the following dates as the programs still run on:
* December (2025): 25-28
* January (2026): 1, 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18
The City stated that the programs have been rolled out at the following beaches:
- Big Bay
- Camps Bay
- Fish Hoek
- Gordon’s Bay
- Harmony Park
- Lagoon Beach
- Melkbosstrand
- Milnerton Beach
- Mnandi
- Monwabisi
- Muizenberg
- Sea Point and the surrounding area, Silverstroom, Strand, and Strandfontein
Meanwhile, Shaheeda Omar from the Teddy Bear Foundation, stated that the program is highly effective because it creates a “protective deterrent effect.”
“The program allows for rapid reunification for lost children as busy beaches are high-risk environments due to child separation, due to crowds and noise,” stated Omar.
“The program enables officials to quickly identify and reunite lost children with their caregivers, thereby reducing the time the child is unsupervised and stressed. It also reduces the risk of abduction and exploitation because offenders are less likely to target children who are easily traceable or registered to a caregiver,” added Omar.
*Stay tuned to VOC’s PM Drive show today for further details on this.
Photo: The City of Cape Town [online]
