Lifesaving is not just a sport - it is a calling. There is no greater service than to save the life of another person without thought of reward or recognition. Every day, in every part of South Africa, the men, women, girls and boys of Lifesaving SA offer their time and their bravery to ensure the safety of swimmers in every community.

On behalf of the people and the Government of the Western Cape I would like to welcome the lifesavers from Southern Gauteng, Northern Gauteng, Easterns, KZN, the Northern Freestate and Gauteng to our province for the 2004 SA Lifesaving National Championship.

Few people realise that South Africa's longest border is actually our coastline. Securing that coastline and the safety of our people who live, work and play at the coast would be impossible without the voluntary help of our almost 6000 surf lifesavers and their 62 surf lifesaving clubs. In many respects it is their efforts that help us to protect the value of our beaches as safe-havens for local and international visitors.

For a province like the Western Cape, tourism is one of our most important growth sectors. We were able, last year, to reach the key target of more than 1 million overseas visitors, who brought more than R17 billion into our provincial economy. We are committed to increasing that number to 3 million international visitors by 2010. A large part of the Western Cape's attraction is our coastline, and our reputation for beach and swimmer safety is therefore vital to protect.

We also realise though that only a small fraction of lifesaving activities occur in the sea. At least as important is stillwater lifesaving. We know that of the 172 reported South African drownings in 2002, more than 90% occurred in freshwater situations like rivers, pools, canals and dams. With the vast majority of these cases in our poorer communities, the 13 300 voluntary patrol hours offered by Lifesaving SA's 7243 members during the past season has made a real and lasting contribution to safety for all our people.

In addition to active lifesaving duties though, we are also grateful for education and awareness programmes like the "Let's be Watersafe" initiative that reached 10 000 schoolchildren in the Western Cape alone.

This is also why our Western Cape Government is proud to continue our support for Western Province Lifesaving. It was a personal pleasure for me that we were able last year, to double our financial support of Lifesaving SA and that we will be in a position to continue this support in the new financial year. I would also like to call on Western Province Lifesaving to seriously consider proposing long-serving and outstanding lifesavers for Western Cape Provincial Honours in the next round of nominations which will open in August this year.

South Africa is proud of our lifesavers. We know that with achievements like Erna Wedemeyer's world record at the Commonwealth Championships in July last year, our country can participate successfully at the highest levels of international competition.

I would like to wish every lifesaver, from the youngest Nipper to the most experienced Veteran all of the best for the next three days. You are most welcome in our province and you carry our respect and our gratitude.

It is my pleasure to officially declare this championship open.

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923