Seven children who were separated from their families at beaches last week were quickly reunited again thanks to the City’s Identikidz project.
The project, which tags children with bright orange wristbands, was launched on Wednesday December 15 at 16 beaches.
Nearly 30 000 children were tagged in the first few days.
“I am thrilled that so many parents are heeding the call to participate in the Identikidz project,” said mayoral committee member for community services and health, Patrica van der Ross.
The Identikidz concept requires parents or caregivers to register their children as they arrive at participating beaches. The child is issued with a wristband containing their caregiver’s contact details, in the event that they get separated during their visit.
Between Wednesday December 15 and Sunday December 19, staff tagged 29 759 children. During this period, seven children were separated from their families, two at Strand, three in Strandfontein and two at Muizenberg, but all were safely reunited.
“I want to encourage families to take advantage of the services offered by this project,” said Ms Van der Ross.
The project is running on the following dates:
- December 25, 26 and 31
- January 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 on 14 of the 15 beaches
- Only on December 26 and January 1 and 2 on Maiden’s Cove
Beaches where parents and caregivers can find Identikidz staff are:
- Muizenberg
- Fish Hoek
- Strandfontein
- Gordon’s Bay
- Strand
- Monwabisi
- Harmony Park
- Mnandi
- Big Bay
- Sea Point
- Silwerstroomstrand
- Camps Bay
- Lagoon Beach
- Melkbosstrand
- Millerton Beach
- Maiden’s Cove
