Lifesaving | Introduction to Lifesaving South Africa – a hundred-year-old voluntary movement and sport federation

Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) is a registered sport federation with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and a federation in good standing with SASCOC/Sport SA.

 

This article sets out how unique a sporting federation we are in the landscape of organised sport in South Africa. An exciting sense of who Lifesaving South Africa is can be accessed via the YouTube video:

Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) is not just a sports federation: it is a unique organisation dedicated to saving lives while fostering competitive excellence. LSA stands apart from other sporting bodies by requiring mandatory community service before athletes can compete. This article highlights LSA's invaluable contribution to South Africa's sporting and safety landscape. Here is an illustration of just one recent heroic deed.

Heroic Rescue at Strand Lifesaving Club

On the evening of 31 January 2025, a group of parents and members of Strand Lifesaving Club were training their nippers for the upcoming Lifesaving Western Cape Championships and the National Championships when an emergency unfolded. Two bathers were caught in a powerful rip current near the clubhouse, and a bystander attempting to assist them also got into trouble. The off-duty lifeguards and parents immediately sprang into action, swimming and paddling out to rescue all three individuals and bringing them safely to shore. [Article published by Good Things Guy article: https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/swift-action-saves-3-lives-strand-beach-rescue/

This act of bravery is a testament to the thousands of voluntary lifesavers across South Africa’s 86 lifesaving clubs, who dedicate their weekends to patrolling the nation’s beaches and inland waterways. Their impact is undeniable: during the peak holiday season from December 2024 to January 2025, no drownings were recorded at any beaches patrolled by voluntary lifesavers or professional lifeguards employed by municipalities. (Drownings occurred at unpatrolled locations, non-bathing beaches, or outside of duty hours at remote rivers and dams.)

The Role of Lifesaving South Africa in Public Safety

LSA-trained municipal lifeguards must hold a Lifesaving South Africa qualification and undergo annual recertification. This rigorous process ensures high standards of safety and professionalism in lifeguarding.

What truly sets LSA apart from other sporting federations is its unwavering commitment to service before competition. No other sports federation requires its athletes to complete community service before they can represent their club, province, or country. Additionally, athletes must hold an age-appropriate lifesaving award before they can participate in formal competitions. Unlike other amateur sports where registration and training fees grant access to competition, LSA members must first prove their lifesaving capability.

Lifesaving South Africa’s Broader Impact

Beyond saving lives, LSA contributes significantly to South Africa’s economy and public safety:

• Job Creation: LSA facilitates employment for over 3,500 professional lifeguards in municipalities, water parks, and hotels, while thousands of SA youth secure seasonal lifeguarding jobs at home and abroad—on cruise ships, yachts, and summer camps.
• Tourism and Hospitality: By ensuring safe aquatic recreation, LSA plays a crucial role in supporting tourism and hospitality industries.
• Safety at Major Events: LSA provides lifeguarding services at high-profile open-water events such as the Midmar Mile, triathlons, and other aquatic competitions.
• Promoting an Active Lifestyle: From micro-nippers to senior competitors in their seventies, LSA fosters a lifelong commitment to fitness and community service.
• Education and Drowning Prevention: LSA’s WaterSmart education programme is integrated into the Life Orientation curriculum at primary schools, teaching essential water safety skills to young learners.
• Disaster Management Collaboration: LSA works alongside disaster management authorities to provide expertise in flood response and water rescue operations.

Scan the QR code to download a free four module course on water safety and drowning prevention written for the Lifeskills Orientation subject in schools (Grade4-6)

A Global Leader in Drowning Prevention

In 2019, South Africa hosted the World Conference on Drowning Prevention in Durban—the first time the event was held in Africa. This milestone event played a key role in the global drowning prevention movement. It was a significant push for the United Nations to officially recognise World Drowning Prevention Day (WDPD) on 25 July, as part of broader drowning prevention initiatives led by the International Lifesaving Federation and the World Health Organisation.

Despite this international recognition, the South African government has yet to officially declare WDPD. This is particularly concerning given that approximately 1,500 fatal drownings occur annually in South Africa. The voluntary work of LSA remains largely unrecognised by government departments such as Sport, Tourism, Disaster Management, and Education—sectors that could greatly benefit from leveraging LSA’s expertise and volunteerism. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240103962

Funding Challenges for National Athletes

Adding to these challenges, South Africa’s top lifesaving athletes must self-fund their participation in international competitions. While funding shortages impact many sports, this is particularly disheartening for LSA athletes, who already give so much through their voluntary service. Despite these financial obstacles, Lifesaving South Africa is the reigning African champion and consistently ranks in the top ten nations at the Lifesaving World Championships, held every two years.

As of this article’s publication, LSA is awaiting a long-overdue meeting with the Ministry of Sport after a scheduled appointment in early 2025 was cancelled.

A Call for Recognition and Support

Lifesaving South Africa stands as a beacon of selflessness and excellence in both sport and public service. It is time for the government and corporate sponsors to acknowledge the critical role LSA plays—not just in competitive lifesaving but in safeguarding South Africa’s waters and educating future generations on water safety.

With official recognition and sustainable funding, LSA can continue to save lives, develop elite athletes, and contribute to a safer, healthier South Africa.

For more information, visit www.lifesaving.co.za or follow them on social media for updates on competitions, training, and lifesaving initiatives.