South Africa has no backup plan for the lifesaving world championships
In Gqeberha, South Africa, the 2026 Lifesaving World Championships are to take place regardless of the readiness of the city’s infrastructure: there is no alternative option or backup plan. The competition will run from November 25 to December 13 in the Nelson Mandela Municipality. More than 2,500 foreign athletes, their team members and families are expected to arrive in the city from mid-November.
Lifesaving South Africa board member Dhaya Sewduth said the organization is aware of the infrastructure problems but remains committed to holding the tournament in Gqeberha. According to him, the local organizing committee is working with municipal officials to resolve outstanding issues before the competition begins.
Condition of the Newton Park pool
As Daily Maverick reports, the greatest concern is the municipal Newton Park pool, where the still-water events are to be held. The facility was closed for several months for planned repair work and upgrades. The plans included replacing tiles, painting the building, installing a new scoreboard and touch panels for recording results.
Ward 7 councillor Brandon Pegram said that, to the best of his knowledge, this work has not yet been completed. He was also not allowed to conduct an inspection visit to the complex. According to the councillor, the pool will have to be drained to complete the necessary maintenance, and officials will be able to make a final assessment of the scope of work only after that. At that time, no tenders had been announced for tiling and painting.
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Pegram noted that a scoreboard can be purchased in South Africa for about 400,000 rand, while the touch panels must be ordered from the United States. He also said that a budget of 7 million rand had been approved for hosting the championships, of which, as he understood it, 4 million rand was available.
Works and safety at Kings Beach
Ward 2 councillor Sean Tappan drew attention to unfinished work at Kings Beach, where the ocean events are planned. He acknowledged that some work had been carried out near the ponds, along illuminated pedestrian paths and on the roof of the sanitation facilities. At the same time, Tappan questioned whether the toilets would be able to accommodate another approximately 3,000 people, as well as whether lighting and security in the parking area were sufficient for the safety of visitors and their property.
The tournament is expected to bring about 350 million rand to the local hotel and tourism sectors. Sewduth said that the 2026 South African Lifesaving Championships in Gqeberha brought the city more than 55 million rand. Municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya did not respond to the publication’s questions about the city’s readiness for the world championships.
