Youth development programs in Eastern Cape with Wild Coast Sun

What do youth developments programs in South Africa have to do with spending all day at the beach? The Wild Coast Sun takes youth development programs in the Eastern Cape seriously, particularly when it means innovative ways of uplifting the local community. Aside from the many attractions and activities right on your doorstep at the Wild Coast Sun, the golden stretch of beaches is a popular tourist attraction, particularly in the summer months. Thanks to the warm Agulhas current along the eastern coast, the beaches at the Wild Coast Sun boast warm waters and plenty of opportunity to enjoy a range of water sports including jet skiing, wake snake and canoeing. When it comes to taking a holiday at the coast, one thing that is a non-negotiable is rolling dunes leading down to a wide expanse of sparkling azure ocean, clean beaches and a safe environment for families to play in the surf, swim, and build sand castles together. And to contribute to youth developments programs in South Africa, the Wild Coast Sun has implemented a scheme which benefits both guests to the resort as well as the local community.

The Wild Coast Sun takes swimmer safety seriously and with this in mind, we’ve undertaken to upskill youth in the local community by training them to become lifeguards at the local beaches. Youth development programs in South Africa should empower local communities, providing them with skills and opportunities and in 2001, a lifesaving club was started in order to provide a safe environment for families and visitors to the beaches at the Wild Coast Sun. With the club’s 15th anniversary approaching, we took the opportunity to speak to the club chairman, Nyameko Shobede, to find out a little more about one of the youth development programs in the Eastern Cape: the Mzamba Surf Lifesaving Club.

Q: When was the club started?

A: The club was opened in February 2001. It was named after the Mzamba river, which runs alongside the Wild Coast Sun.

Q: Why was the club started?

A: The purpose of starting the club was to provide safety at local beaches and along the coastline. It was also part of the development in the area as the club trains its members to become qualified lifesavers and supply them to the beach to ensure safety.

Q: Who can join the club?

A: Anyone from the age of 8 years to 65 years old can join.

Q: What does someone gain from being a member of the club?

A: Club members benefit from learning lifesaving and swimming skills, which enable them to also find a job at any beach nationwide.

Q: When does the club operate, and how many members are there?

A: The club does voluntary duties on weekends and public holidays and there are eight members per squad per day at the beach at Wild Coast Sun beach.

Q: What are your hopes for the club’s future, and the futures of club members?

A: Our hope for our club’s future is to have enough training equipment to take our members to the higher level like other clubs.

Thanks to the efforts of the Mzamba Surf Lifesaving Club, the beaches at the Wild Coast Sun are safe, secure environments, which guests and families can enjoy at their leisure. We hope to see more youth development programs in the Eastern Cape which will bring positive change and impact local communities.