Filmmaker Dedicates His Time to Raising Awareness of NSRI

South African filmmaker and ocean lover Kabeer Shaik has teamed up with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to create a powerful new awareness video spotlighting the NSRI’s Beach Safety Camera Project. He donated his time and skills to help amplify the story of technology and teamwork saving lives along our coastline.

Kabeer visited the NSRI’s Volunteer Support Centre earlier this year, where he was introduced to the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the Beach Safety Camera Project.

What he saw inspired him.

“I’m a filmmaker who spends a lot of time in the ocean, and I wanted to make a piece that supports the amazing work the NSRI does,” said Shaik. “They’re an incredible organisation that saves thousands of lives every year. This was something I knew I had to contribute to.”

The creative campaign, now complete, is based on a true and emotional story from Strand Beach. An NSRI camera operator spotted 10-year-old Matthew being pulled out to sea in a rip current. With lifeguards not yet on duty, the operator activated Strand Lifeguards, who arrived in time to save the child.

NSRI CEO Mike Vonk explains: “Our operator never took her eyes off Matthew. She tracked him with the camera and relayed updates as lifeguards rushed to the scene. She was sitting in a control room, but emotionally, she was right there with him in the water.”

This emotional tension, the human heartbeat behind high-tech rescue, became the core of Kabeer’s visual interpretation. “It struck me that, although she wasn’t in the water, she felt like she was doing the rescue,” said Kabeer. “That’s the story I wanted to tell, not just about technology, but about the people who care so deeply and give so much.”

Filmed at Strand Beach, the video features actress Shiefaa Hendriks in a portrayal that merges realism and symbolism. The team used rich golden-hour light and a cinematic approach to create an emotional and immersive experience.

“The biggest challenge was the weather,” said Kabeer. “We needed a calm sea and high tide in late afternoon to match the story’s emotional tone. After weeks of postponements, we got the perfect window in April and gathered an incredible team to make it happen.”

The production was made possible through the generous support of the industry. Post-production partners, technical crew, and cast all donated their time and expertise.

“We are deeply grateful to Kabeer and every member of the team who brought this story to life,” said Vonk. “This campaign shines a light not only on the Beach Safety Camera Project but also on the heart of the NSRI. These are people who care enough to act, every day.”

He added: “We would also like to thank our friends in the media, television and cinema industries for the generous airtime they are giving this campaign at no cost. Their support helps us reach more people and, ultimately, save more lives.”

About the NSRI Beach Safety Camera Project

Initiated in 2020, the NSRI Beach Safety Camera Project is the first of its kind in South Africa. It is a network of strategically placed, high-definition PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras that support rescue operations and beach safety.

The system has now expanded to 11 locations, including Strand, Blouberg, Plettenberg Bay, Natures Valley, and more. The NSRI’s EOC and a volunteer network monitor the cameras remotely, spotting potential dangers such as rip currents or shark activity, activating lifeguards, and providing real-time updates to on-scene rescuers.

The most recent rescue took place on the 9th of July 2025 in Plettenberg Bay. An operator monitoring three NSRI boats during a training exercise saw two children in a canoe being swept out to sea. Despite it being after sunset, the operator used the powerful zoom camera to track the children until the boats reached them, preventing what could have been a tragedy.

“This technology is saving lives,” said NSRI’s Plettenberg Bay Station Commander, Jaco Kruger. “It’s not just a camera. We can utilise voice alerts on some of the alarms, as well as a siren, and have a support system that links to responders in real-time. It’s the future of water safety.”