Over 1 000 South African lives are tragically lost to drowning each year, many of them children, and it doesn’t just happen at the beach. It often happens in pools, rivers, dams, and even bathtubs. Most of these tragedies are preventable.

Ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in collaboration with Cape Town property developer Blok, is making waves with a campaign that’s as urgent as it is hopeful – saving lives through water safety education. Saving a life doesn’t always start with a rescue, sometimes, it starts in a classroom.

“It only takes one lesson, one conversation, or one donation to make a difference. We’re overjoyed to be working with Blok – enabling us to educate at scale. With Blok’s support, we can reach over 5 000 children.” says Mike Vonk, CEO of the NSRI.

At the heart of the campaign is the NSRI’s Water Safety Education Programme, a national initiative taking water safety education into schools and under-resourced communities. The programme teaches children what drowning is, how it happens, and how to respond – including survival swimming, hands-only CPR, basic rescue techniques, and how to use rescue tools without putting themselves at risk.

To date the NSRI’s Water Safety Education Programme has reached over 5.5 million people, including nearly 900 000 children in 2024 alone. With more support, that number can only keep growing, and more lives can be saved.

Known for its thoughtfully designed apartments along the Atlantic Seaboard, Blok understands the importance of not only building homes but safer communities. For over a decade, they have reimagined public spaces aiming to bring neighbourhoods together and foster a sense of community and human connection. These initiatives include a park rehabilitation project, mountain safety patrolling, ongoing beach clean-up activities, and now, educating South Africans about water safety. Blok doesn’t just care about their buildings; they care deeply about neighbourhood communities as well.

These initiatives reflect Blok’s core belief that city living doesn’t start or end at your front door, it’s everything in between, too.

“We believe that being part of a neighbourhoods goes beyond the four walls of an apartment,” says Jacques van Embden, CEO of Blok. “We’re proud to be a part of this programme, educating South Africans, one child at a time. It’s about supporting what matters – our people, our children, our future.”

Together, the NSRI and Blok are inviting South Africans to take simple yet powerful steps to help make every community, water safe. Donating just R12 is enough to sponsor a water safety education lesson that could save a child’s life.

Imagine a South Africa where every child feels safe and confident in and near water.

So, how can you make a difference?

• Visit www.nsri.org.za and donate – from as little as R12, you could sponsor a water safety education class for a child.
• Learn hands-only CPR and teach it to your children.
• Wear Blue on 25 July to honour World Drowning Prevention Day.
• Share the message using #DrowningPrevention, #WorldDrowningPreventionDay, and tag @searescuesa

In a country shaped by water – from coastlines to rivers, dams to backyard pools – water safety shouldn’t be a privilege, but a basic life skill.

The NSRI doesn’t just rescue people – they empower them, protect them, and help prevent the need for rescue in the first place, and together with Blok, they aim to make an impact on many lives. 

This World Drowning Prevention Day, remember that anyone can drown. No one should. Start with one small action, and you could help save a life.