The Vaal River came alive on 24 September 2026 as boating enthusiasts descended on Vanderbijlpark for the start of the Vaal River Boating Season.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority’s (SAMSA) Boating Unit, together with the Pretoria Operations, Certification Unit, and Corporate Affairs Centre were right there among them, conducting a safety awareness campaign and ad-hoc safety inspection amid dozens of boats out on the water.
With boats of every shape and size taking to the Vaal for the seasonal opening, the team seized the opportunity to engage directly with skippers, boat owners, and general members of the public, checking safety compliance and reminding the boating community that a great day on the water starts with the right precautions.
SAMSA’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), Mr Ndzimeni Ramugondo, joined the SAMSA team on the ground, trading the boardroom for the boat ramp for the day to get firsthand experience of a ride aboard a South African Police Service (SAPS) Water Wing vessel to observe safety checks around the river.
Ad-hoc safety inspections were carried out in collaboration with the SAPS Water Wing from Vanderbijlpark, whose presence on the water added an extra layer of oversight and reinforced the message that boating safety is a shared responsibility between SAMSA and law enforcement.
Together, the teams patrolled the river, engaging boaters and keeping a watchful eye over the day’s festivities. Running through the day’s safety awareness campaign was a theme to keep in mind for every skipper on South African waters: “Don’t Drink and Skipper (Drive) a Boat.”
With SAMSA and SAPS Water Wing out on the water together, the Vaal River Boating Season kicked off on a note of shared responsibility as SAMSA moves full speed with its safety awareness campaign aimed at South Africa’s inland waters.