The municipalities of eThekwini and Umdoni are enhancing safety measures, including increasing the number of lifeguards, patrolling beaches, and implementing child protection measures, ahead of the holiday season. Water quality monitoring and operating hours vary depending on the specific beach.
According to eThekwini Municipality data, approximately 400,000 identification bracelets have been purchased to ensure children's safety. The Umdoni Municipality has launched the 'Bobbies on the Beat' program, which utilizes police reservists for regular beach patrols.
Senzelwe Mzila, spokesperson for the eThekwini municipality, told sundaytribune.co.za that the city's scientific team is conducting regular checks to guarantee that swimming areas meet safety standards before the holidays begin. As a large number of visitors is expected during the vacation period, Mzila noted that the city has hired 70 seasonal lifeguards on 10-month contracts to ensure swimmer safety.
He stated that all beaches in the city are safe and ready for the holiday season. Mzila clarified that the published update showed that all 23 monitored beaches in Durban are open for swimming, and testing is conducted every two weeks. However, during the holiday period, the frequency of checks will increase to once a week for thorough water quality control.
The municipality has also prepared 400,000 identification bracelets to implement a child separation program for the upcoming holiday season. According to Mzila, these bracelets will help identify and safely reunite children who get separated from parents or guardians on beaches, pools, and other public recreation areas. Last week, the recruitment process for 43 child caregivers was successfully completed.
The appointed caregivers will assist in implementing the program by supervising, caring for, and protecting children in designated areas during the holiday period. Currently, tents and mats are being procured to ensure suitable facilities for housing lost children and creating a safe, protected, and comfortable environment during the reunification process.
Mzila added that the city has hired 70 seasonal lifeguards on 10-month contracts, starting on September 21, 2026, and ending on July 21, 2027. These seasonal staff will supplement the permanent lifeguard staff and strengthen water safety coverage on beaches, especially during peak periods, including school holidays in April and June of next year, as well as the upcoming holiday season. Scheduled and reactive patrols will be conducted in designated zones where swimming is prohibited to monitor these areas, prevent unsafe swimming practices, and respond to potential water safety risks and incidents.
Mzila also reported that the municipality, in collaboration with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), has installed warning signs in certain areas, informing the public about the dangers of swimming in non-designated zones. Nevertheless, he mentioned that the city has faced acts of vandalism against these signs, undermining efforts to raise public awareness and ensure the safety of beachgoers. Measures will be taken to enhance the monitoring and protection of this navigational information.
The status of the city's beaches is available on the official website www.durban.gov.za.
Siphelele Sele, a representative of the Umdoni municipality, stated that their area is ready for the holiday season. The municipality has 12 beaches, with Scottburgh Beach being the main tourist attraction. Marine water quality monitoring is conducted on seven beaches by both an independent contractor and the Ugu District Municipality. Discussions are underway to improve coordination between these two bodies to ensure more frequent water sampling during the upcoming peak holiday season.
To enhance beach safety during the peak season, Sele reported that the municipality will deploy an additional 42 lifeguards to its beaches to monitor swimming. Of the twelve Umdoni beaches, six operate year-round, and the remaining six are seasonal. Lifeguard services are provided daily at Scottburgh and Pennington beaches, as well as on weekends and public holidays at Park Ryn, Rocky Bay, and Mtbalume beaches.
Sele also noted that the municipality recently received five 'Blue Flag' beach statuses for Pennington, Umthwahlume, Preston, Rocky Bay, and Bazluy beaches, as well as a pilot site status for Scottburgh beaches. The municipality is currently not issuing identification bracelets to children. In cases of a missing child report, the matter is immediately passed to lifeguards, who use loudspeakers for alerts and assistance in reuniting children with parents or guardians. Numerous beach safety awareness campaigns have been conducted in schools aimed at teaching children proper behavior and water safety skills.
Although standard operating hours are from 8:00 to 17:00, Sele advised that rotating schedules will be implemented at high-traffic beaches to extend supervision coverage from 7:00 to 18:00 if necessary. Furthermore, the municipality has implemented the 'Bobbies on the Beat' program, which engages police reservists for regular beach patrols. Their duties include enhancing public safety and conducting operations to search for and confiscate alcohol at beach access points in accordance with applicable regulations. Sele also reported that Pennington, Bazluy, Rocky Bay, and Preston beaches will receive Blue Flag status starting December 1, 2026.
