​Drowning accounts for many fatalities during heat waves and rainy seasons, that's why the City of Johannesburg is providing some residents with free swimming lessons through the Learn to Swim programme.

The programme was introduced to some of the municipal swimming pools in conjunction with Swimming South Africa. In 2018, the City's Emergency Management Services recorded and responded to 93 water-related incidents and drowning.

Recently scores of Ennerdale residents and surrounding areas turned in their numbers for swimming lessons at the Ennerdale swimming pool in Extension 9 in the south of Johannesburg.

Lifeguard Phumlani Khubeka said the programme also taught people about the importance of saving water, more especially during summer season when water is in high demand.

“Due to high temperatures during this time, most people fill up big basins with water so that children can play in, putting them at a risk of drowning. This programme mitigates those risks because most children are unable to swim," Khubeka explained.

Khubeka said the Learn to Swim programme was bearing fruit. Since it was introduced, they have never had a single incident of a person drowning at Ennerdale swimming pool.

The Ennerdale programme was held in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. It catered for the disadvantaged from Ennerdale, Majazane, Thula Mtwana, Lawley and Finetown.

During the three-day programme, participants were involved in other activities such as soccer, cricket, drama and poetry. The swimming pool is also popular for end of year functions, Christmas parties, church baptisms and graduation celebrations.

Most City's swimming pools opened on 1 September after closing for winter at the end of March. They operate daily from 10am to 6pm. Entrance is R5 for children, R10 for adults and free for senior citizens.

Residents are urged to visit www.joburg.org.za for find the nearest municipal swimming pool.