Festive season warning after 2 more drown in Eastern Cape

Buffalo City Metro has raised the alarm after another drowning at Eastern Beach on Saturday.

The drowning of an unidentified elderly man brought the number of drownings at the beach to three in 24 hours and four across the province since Friday, prompting the municipality to issue a statement with tips on safe swimming, surfing and bathing.

Grade 12 Aliwal North pupil Lulama Nkomana, 18, drowned in the Kraai River during a pre-exam party on Friday. Aliwal North police said an inquest had been opened.

On the same day,  two Embekweni Primary School children, Oko Mbuzo, 14, and Philasande Hoboyi Philasande, 13, drowned at Eastern beach. The two were part of a tour group including 22 Grade 7 pupils, five teachers and three parents. BCM lifeguards managed to save four other members of the group from drowning.

Provincial education department spokesperson, Malibongwe Mtima said MEC Fundile Gade had called for an end to school water parties.

BCM spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya said the Saturday drowning took place outside the demarcated swimming area.

In March 2018, lifeguards told Daily Dispatch that there was a critical shortage of manpower and a lack of crucial life-saving equipment at the beach.

Two lifeguards appealed to local businesses to sponsor their beach with equipment including a jet ski, an inflatable boat and an oxygen cylinder. At the time, Ngwenya said the equipment was available but stored at Orient Beach to keep it safe from vandals targeting Eastern Beach.

On Sunday, Ngwenya said: “The Municipality is increasing the number of its additional life guards’ deployment, having advertised an additional 42 posts for the expected busy festive season.

“The Municipality is warning swimmers to always swim between demarcated areas and always float with a rip current and not swim against it,” said Ngwenya.

Tips:

1. Always swim or surf at a beach patrolled by surf lifesavers or lifeguards.
2. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
3. Avoid swimming alone or unsupervised.
4. Float with a rip current. Do not swim against it.
5. If you get into difficulty, try to stay calm, float and raise one arm until help arrives.
6. Don't run and dive into the water, even if you checked for hazards earlier. Conditions can change.
7. Don't swim directly after a meal.
8. Don't swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
9. If you are unsure of the conditions, ask a surf lifesaver or lifeguard.
10. Read the signs. If a beach is closed don't swim there.
11. Don't drink and swim or drive motor boats. Alcohol dulls the senses, slows the reactions and can cause irresponsible behaviour.
12. Know how to do CPR or how to blow air into another person's lungs until help arrives.
13. Don't dive from tidal pool walls, as this has been known to result in spinal injuries.
14. Pools provide a safer option to swim in than the oceans, as the currents are kept at bay. Do not take out small or unstable boats far from shore in choppy water or stormy weather.