Cape Town Lifeguard Recounts Dramatic Miller’s Point Rescue Amid Busy Holiday Season

Key Takeaways

• Saadiq Parker, a senior lifeguard, rescued four people at Miller’s Point Beach in Simon’s Town on December 27, 2025.
• The City of Cape Town has deployed over 680 lifeguards to 29 beaches and swimming pools during the festive season.
• There have been 19 non-fatal drownings and four fatal drownings on Cape Town’s beaches since December 1.
• eThekwini Municipality has reported zero drownings and no major incidents on its beaches from December 1 to 21.
• The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has recorded several rescue incidents along the coast, including a drowning in progress at Kelly’s Beach in Port Alfred on Christmas Day.

Introduction to the Rescue Incident

Saadiq Parker, a 25-year-old senior lifeguard with the Strandfontein Surf Lifesaving Club, was off-duty on Saturday, December 27, but this didn’t stop him from rescuing four people at Miller’s Point Beach, near Simon’s Town. Parker was visiting the beach with his girlfriend and her family when he was alerted to a commotion at around 12:30 pm. Two young children, aged eight and five, had fallen from an inflatable raft and were struggling in the water. Parker immediately sprang into action, retrieving a pink T-buoy and entering the water to rescue the children and two adults who were also struggling to stay afloat.

The Rescue Efforts

Parker’s quick thinking and expertise as a lifeguard helped to prevent a tragedy from occurring. He handed the pink T-buoy to the two adults, grabbed the two children, and began swimming back to the shore. Luckily, two members of the public came to assist him, and together they were able to bring the four people to safety. However, the eight-year-old girl began foaming at the mouth, indicating that she had swallowed a large amount of water. Parker immediately started shouting for someone to call an ambulance and began guiding members of the public through conducting CPR on the girl. After about six cycles of CPR, they were able to revive her.

The Busy Festive Season

The rescue incident at Miller’s Point Beach was just one of several that occurred along the coast during the festive season. The City of Cape Town has reported that its beaches and swimming pools have attracted thousands of visitors, and lifeguards have been kept busy responding to rescue incidents and providing medical care to those in need. The city has deployed over 680 lifeguards to 29 beaches and swimming pools, and they have responded to 33 water rescues, 39 first-aid incidents, and 18 incidents involving anti-social behavior. Despite the challenges, the city’s lifeguards have done an excellent job in keeping visitors safe, with only four fatal drownings reported since December 1.

Beach Safety in Cape Town and eThekwini

The City of Cape Town and eThekwini Municipality have both taken steps to ensure beach safety during the festive season. In Cape Town, lifeguards have been deployed to 29 beaches and swimming pools, and the city has appealed to the public to remain in safe zones at beaches and public pools. In eThekwini, the municipality has increased its capacity at its beaches by recruiting 650 seasonal staff, including 78 lifeguards, and has reported zero drownings and no major incidents from December 1 to 21. However, the municipality has had to close some of its beaches due to water contamination, and the latest beach water quality results indicate that several beaches are currently closed for swimming.

Eastern Cape Beaches

The Eastern Cape has also seen its share of beach incidents during the festive season. The NSRI has recorded one incident of a drowning in progress at Kelly’s Beach in Port Alfred on Christmas Day. A couple from Durban who were visiting the beach noticed a 29-year-old man enter the water and immediately get into distress. The husband entered the water to assist the man, who was caught in rip currents, and was followed by his wife, who was armed with an NSRI pink rescue buoy. Together, they were able to get the man safely to the beach, where he received medical treatment and was transported to the hospital in a stable condition. The incident highlights the importance of being vigilant and taking necessary precautions when swimming at the beach.

Conclusion

The rescue incident at Miller’s Point Beach and the various other incidents that have occurred along the coast during the festive season highlight the importance of beach safety and the role that lifeguards play in keeping visitors safe. The City of Cape Town and eThekwini Municipality have both taken steps to ensure beach safety, and the NSRI has been instrumental in responding to rescue incidents. However, it is also important for the public to take necessary precautions when swimming at the beach and to be aware of the potential dangers that exist. By working together, we can help to prevent tragedies from occurring and ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time at the beach.