A cleansing celebration

Despite living less than an hour away, some Dolphin Coast residents only go to the beach once a year, on New Year’s Day.
These locals said come shine or rain they would not miss their day at the beach because they go there to wash away the previous year’s troubles and celebrate the start of the new year.
Emona’s Thabitha Mhlongo likened the experience to a snake shedding off its old skin and revealing a new brighter one.
“Coming to the beach is a cleansing experience for me. On New Year’s Eve I take some time to reflect on the passing year and make plans for the new one. On January 1, I come to the beach to wash away the things that I do not want to take with me into the new year,” said Mhlongo.
The Mfekas from Bhamshela, Ndwedwe said during the year they are scattered all over the country but on New Year’s Eve everyone comes home.
“It is always fun to do something as a family and going to the beach on New Year’s Day has become one of our annual rituals,” said the grandmother of the family, Thembi Mfeka.
Christiano Nyamposse from Mozambique, a self proclaimed “South African beach virgin” celebrated New Year’s Day for the first time in South Africa this year at Westbrook Beach.
He said he was also a “once a year beach goer” and was too busy to go swimming during the year.  Nyamposse said South African beaches were more fun and safer than the ones in his hometown of  Maputo.
“Back home people are not into going to the beach on New Year’s Day so you do not get a big crowd like here. The police there do not care about whether you drink alcohol while swimming or not but here it is stricter, which makes me feel safe,” said Nyamposse.
Ntombi Madonsela took her grandson Lindo Ncama (2) with her to Westbrook Beach this year for the first time.
“I always come to the beach on January 1 to wash away the last year’s pains but this year I came to celebrate my new job,” said Madonsela.
This Magwaveni resident did not have a job throughout the year, but two weeks into December she was hired as a domestic worker in Maidstone.
She said she hoped that when she returns to the beach on the first day of 2015 it will be for another celebration rather than a cleansing.