Lifeguards on duty.
With June marking both Child Protection Week (1–5 June) and Youth Month in South Africa, Lifesaving South Africa is reinforcing its commitment to child safety in and around water, advocating for its mission to be the leading water safety authority on the African continent.
Lifesaving SA's focus is critical given the grim statistics: the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 2,700 people drown in South Africa annually, with a significant number of these tragic incidents involving children and young people between the ages of five and 17 years. The organisation’s long-running Nipper Training Programme is a clear demonstration of this commitment, having trained thousands of children to become competent and confident in ocean and inland water environments.
The increasing participation is a testament to the essential skills acquired, with many Nippers maturing into accomplished lifesavers by age 18, while others pursue careers as professional lifeguards, emergency workers, and first responders.
Reaching Millions with #WaterSmart
