One of Ballito’s grand old trees

Most ‘locals’ are not really local to the Dolphin Coast, having moved here only in the last decade or two.

This is not the case with Keith Duane, one of the founding members and first chairman of the Dolphin Coast Conservancy (DCC).

Duane’s great grandfather bought some seafront land in Chakas Rock in 1896 and for the last 121 years the family have been visiting and living on that piece of land.

“I was born in Durban and have been coming here all my life,” said the 80-year-old Duane, who moved to Ballito permanently in 1984 and now lives in Simbithi with his wife of 51 years, Anne.

Duane told the Courier he had always been passionate about the environment, and that passion runs in the family with his son Graeme now a world famous wildlife photographer and adventurer.

“The beauty of this coastline is incomparable and protecting this is why the DCC exists,” said Duane, who along with several other concerned members of the community helped found this organisation.

In the early days of the conservancy, it fell under a Natal conservancy umbrella and was called the Umhlali Conservancy.

Later on in 1997 a constitution was drawn up and the conservancy registered with the KZN Conservancies Association, and the DCC was born.

Duane has seen a lot of change on the North Coast in the years he has visited and lived here, remarking on the unbelievable development along the coast.

“I am a lifetime member of the Umhlali Country Club and I remember when it was just nine holes. I even played at the old Salt Rock golf course, where the tee was at Salt Rock beach and you played over the little stream and ended up at the hotel.

“Our little piece of the world has a reputation for friendliness and people that are willing to go out of their way to help, the ethos of the DCC stems from that community spirit.” Duane commended the current DCC chair, Di Jones, for the sterling job she has been doing and for keeping the conservancy going, describing her as ‘a force to be reckoned with’.

“I am so happy that from small beginnings the conservancy has managed to make a big difference on the coast and I hope more people will step forward and put their hands up.

“We have a jewel here, it is worth maintaining.”

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