R3m spent on lifeguards for Wild Coast beaches

NEARLY 200 highly trained lifeguards and coastal patrollers will be deployed to man 25 beaches along the Wild Coast this festive season.

They will be joined by hundreds of municipal law enforcement officers and police officers.

However, authorities have warned that bathers who appear “drunk” will not be allowed anywhere near the water.

The beaches are spread across five municipalities in the O R Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts.

The untamed Wild Coast is regarded as one of the prime tourist destinations in the Eastern Cape.

As a result, thousands of people, including international tourists, holiday there.

However, the rugged coastline is also home to Second Beach in Port St Johns, which is regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous beaches due to the high rate of shark attacks and drownings there.

But authorities believe they have put all the necessary safety measures in place.

The five local authorities have spent a combined R3-million on training lifeguards.

Mbizana municipality mayor Daniswa Mafumbatha said they had spent about R500 000 towards training 16 lifeguards who would work at the Mzamba and Mtentu beaches from December 1 to January 15.

“These are our two beaches that are very popular but the only challenge is to access them as you need a 4x4 car to get to them,” Mafumbatha said

She warned however, that drunk people would not be allowed on any beaches.

Port St John’s mayor Lindelwa Rolobile said the municipality had spent about R500 000 on securing lifeguards who would man Second, Mpande and Mngazi beaches, which were the most frequented.

She said 25 lifeguards had been provided by the O R Tambo district municipality, while 35 were contracted by the local municipality.

“We have also contracted about 20 coastal patrollers, mostly young people from villages, who have also undergone training,” she said.

At the Coffee Bay and Hole-in-theWall beaches in the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality, about 30 lifeguards would be deployed to keep bathers safe, said municipal spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza.

He said about R500 000 had been allocated to train the lifeguards.

In Nyandeni municipality, R300 000 had been spent on hiring lifeguards who would man Hluleka and Mthatha Mouth beaches, mayor Mesuli Ngqondwana said.

Mbhashe mayor Samkelo Janda said although they had about 10 beaches in their municipal area, they had decided to initiate a process where lifeguards formed part of their rescue services.

As such, an amount of R1.1-million had been secured for the purpose, with the guards expected to be contracted til the end of next year. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za