Posted on 7 January 2026
As South Africans and visitors flock to the country’s famously beautiful beaches this summer, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has issued a nationwide safety appeal, urging everyone to take extra care in the surf.
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Recent drowning and missing‑person incidents along parts of the KwaZulu‑Natal and Eastern Cape coasts have underscored the power of the ocean — especially during the current full‑moon spring tides, which heighten rip currents and sea movement.
According to reports by EWN, NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon highlighted that search efforts are ongoing for multiple people who went missing in KwaZulu‑Natal and the Eastern Cape — regions where emergency services and lifeguards have been actively responding to calls for help. He stressed a series of simple but lifesaving precautions: “Do not drink alcohol and swim. Parents, please ensure that your children have responsible adult supervision in and around water. Anyone launching any kind of craft onto water — wear your life jacket and download and use the NSRI SafeTRX smartphone app.”
For travellers planning beach days from the warm Indian Ocean shores to the wild Atlantic, this serves as a timely reminder to respect the sea’s rhythms. Swimming between lifeguard flags, understanding rip currents, and keeping safety top of mind can make all the difference between a fun summer memory and a tragedy.
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