Llandudno pupils place spotlight on World Drowning Prevention Day

Llandudno Primary School participated in the World Drowning Prevention Day initiative held on Friday, July 25, calling it the "Sunshine Civvies Day".

In honour of World Drowning Prevention Day, the school, located on the Atlantic Seaboard seaside, joined hundreds of others across South Africa in wearing yellow and raising funds for water safety education.

While global drowning deaths have dropped by 38% over the past two decades, South Africa’s rates are rising, according to Lifesaving South Africa

The federation said in a statement that the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated at least 2,700 drowning deaths a year, with children under five at the greatest risk.

Africa has seen a 3% decline, while South Africa has struggled to deal with the threat. WHO statistics showed at least 1,600 drowning deaths a year in the country, but these figures did not include deaths from flooding disasters, LSA said.

LSA reported that in November, there were 21 drownings, an unusually high figure for that time of year.. A total of 55 drowning incidents – 34 fatal and 8 non-fatal – occurred between November 2024 and the first week of January 2025.

Llandudno principal, Alexander Molteno, highlighted the importance of this national campaign, aimed at creating a “big splash of sunshine” while spreading awareness about the dangers of drowning and the importance of swim safety for children.

"Learners and staff dressed in yellow civvies to show solidarity and raise awareness. The day combined vibrant community spirit with real-world education, and we hope it inspired long-term awareness in our learners," Mr Molteno said. 

Donations collected from the day will go towards teaching children to swim safely, drowning prevention initiatives, and water safety education resources, according to Mr Molteno.

The school also created custom-designed water safety infographics on how to respond if caught in a rip current. The infographics have been shared widely among learners and families and will be used in future safety education efforts.

"Our learners and staff were proud to take part in something that helps save lives. It was a joyful, unifying event, with a serious and important message at its heart," Mr Molteno said.