Ballito residents have been accused of maintaining a “white elitist attitude” and refusing to accommodate black people in their town.

This and several other racial accusations were made at an emotionally charged KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) council meeting last Thursday, when the proposed construction of a multipurpose hall at Townsend Park was discussed.

This followed council’s decision to upgrade the existing Scout Hall despite objections from the community (“KwaDukuza council wants Lions out for hall ‘upgrade’ at Townsend Park,” Courier, June 31).

Presentations by Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra) chairperson Louis Luyt and Ballito ward six committee member Fafie McKenzie caused councillors to launch into a heated debate about race and elitism.

Luyt, who was heckled by ward committee members throughout his presentation, accused KwaDukuza of refusing to listen and blatantly failing to engage with residents.

“The concept of building a proposed hall in Townsend Park is utterly wasteful on the part of KDM and in the last instance a blatant political strategy being enacted to the detriment of the residents, ratepayers and community as a whole.

Funds could be much better allocated where direly required.”

Luyt said Docrra was in possession of a valid lease agreement between the Lions Club and KDM, which the municipality claims it could not find.

“Limits do exist on any expansion to this property due to its historical donation restrictions,” said Luyt.

Ward committee members became particularly rowdy when incoming Lions Club chairperson Paul Naidoo tried to explain the club’s role, prompting speaker Thulani Khuluse to threaten to eject members of the public who disrupted the meeting.

“We are part of one of the world’s largest community service organisations.

“Some of our projects include building a playground for Sizani Combined School and distributing leftover food from Ballito restaurants to townships.

“We pay for travel costs from our own pockets. I humbly appeal to council to please reconsider because if the Lions do not have a home, we will go down with the hungry and destitute.”

Khuluse also stated he would not allow Luyt, who stormed out of the meeting, to speak at any future council meetings because his behaviour “made a mockery of council”.

Luyt said Docrra was considering reporting councillors to the Human Rights Commission in light of the racist comments made.

He also threatened court action against the municipality if the Lions’ lease is terminated.

However, ward committee member McKenzie claimed it was a “misrepresentation” to say the entire Ballito community does not want the hall.

He said the ward committee, which he claimed represents “the majority of Ballito” voted eight against one in favour of the hall.

“The Lions Club is elite and that structure is reminiscent of apartheid days.

KDM must terminate the lease and have the Lions out within 30 days. As a ward committee we will not be undermined, we respect KDM and we want that hall.”

McKenzie dismissed a Docrra petition against the hall, signed by 1362 residents, as null and void because it “disregarded formal governance structures”.

Ward six councillor Colin Marsh told the Courier he was disappointed with the behaviour of certain groups.

“This has now become a turf war. Social integration must take place but we have to behave maturely about the issue.”

Council resolved that municipal manager Nhlanhla Mdakane set up a task team to manage the process with a view of coming up with an “acceptable solution”.

What councillors had to say…

John Phahla (ANC): “I am sure the Lions would not eat the leftover food they give to the township people. I come from the township and that is an insult to black people.”

Lucky Makhathini (ANC): “You must not treat those of us who cannot sit in the Lions Club like nobodies. Docrra does not represent the black people and we must stop allowing these white people to come here and disrespect our council.”

Sandeep Oudhram (ANC): “Our country is changing and Ballito must get comfortable with the idea of change. There is no way council can be stopped from upgrading what belongs to us. I see no reason for the hall not to be built.

Ann McDonnell (DA): “Please do not go ahead until all processes have been exhausted. This cannot come down to race. We must include the neighbours of Townsend Park in our discussions.”

Courier ‘mobilises residents’, says Mayor

Mayor Ricardo Mthembu lashed out at the Courier for playing a role in “mobilising” residents against the hall, calling it an “anti-municipality paper”.

“Residents have seen the issue and jumped the gun without letting us explain because the Courier had already sensitised them and this is unethical.

The Courier has called us names I cannot even mention and now there is a notion that blacks cannot be trusted. When we send our side of the story, our comments are not considered or published.”

Mthembu said government must be allowed to govern and nobody can prevent them from “running their business.”

He said the issue is not the hall, but Townsend Park, which Ballito people are using for “sleeping” and “having picnics”.

Courier editor Bruce Stephenson comments: “We have always afforded the municipality plenty of opportunity to comment on matters of local interest. And we make every effort to promote a non-racist society.”