Festive season sport programme to promote water safety awareness and healthy lifestyles

With the holiday season festivities already in full swing, the Department of Sport and Recreation in KwaZulu-Natal is utilizing the medium of sport and recreation to encourage responsible behavior and healthy living during this period.

This is done through programmes initiated by the Department as well as supporting those initiated by communities, private individuals and NGOs.

“Our aim is to avail or support programmes that will keep our young people occupied during this period of joy and happiness. We are aware that during this period a lot of people meet up with misfortunes that are often related to over indulgence in alcohol and excessive celebrations. There is also an increase in social ills like rape, drugs and alcohol abuse, unsafe sex and crime.

“The Department is utilising the medium of sport and recreation activities to encourage KZN citizens and visitors alike to adhere to the message of water safety, positive behaviour and healthy lifestyle,” said MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi.

Programmes taking place during this period include:

• Water Safety campaigns
• SALGA KZNDSR Games recently held in King Cetshwayo District,
• Active Friday Competition for fitness clubs that took place in different districts on Friday 15th and Saturday16th December
• Jacob Zuma Chess and Soccer Tournaments (22-23 December) in Mandeni and Eshowe respectively
• Chess in Libraries

Water Safety

In response to the high level of drownings in KZN the Department has launched the Water Safety Campaign covering the entire province. The reported drownings and near drownings happen in both rural and urban areas, particularly during the rains and warm long festive season. The major reported causes of drownings are alcohol related, suicide, and lack of water safety awareness.

The Department is currently finalizing a water safety strategy for the Province involving various stakeholders such as Life Saving SA, Sharks Board, KZN Aquatics and Surfing.

During the month of September, 104 water safety champions were trained from all local municipalities. They in turn will be training water safety guides in schools, churches and other gatherings – public places. They will also conduct Water Safety Awareness talks in all districts.

The following are planned activities across the province during the festive season.

•      Distribution of water safety pamphlets in strategic points such as tollgates and shopping areas.
•          Deployment of all 104 trained water safety champions in “red zones” areas in the Province to conduct water safety talks and safety tips. At least two hot spots are being targeted per district.
•          Focused Beach water campaigns at:

- OThongathi Beach (17 December)

-Umzumbe, (23 December)

-Blythedale Beach (26 & 27 December) and

-Margate Beach (28-29 December)

In all these areas the key features will be:

• Water Safety talks #don’t drink and swim
• Water safety demonstrations amongst target groups.
• Active lifestyle – mass aerobics
• Water/sea based activities such as football, volleyball and fun games for families.

 This campaign is supported by key stakeholders such as Life Saving SA and Sharks Board. The Department is also partnering with Swimming KZN to deploy trained lifeguards in public swimming pools around the Province.