North Coast beaches are safe for swimming

The North Coast tourism sector’s perceived short-term gain because of Durban’s E-coli infested beaches may be short-lived and hard work lies ahead to counter collateral damage.

iLembe Chamber of Commerce CEO, Cobus Oelofse, said a number of hospitality players had indicated that there was a misconception that the North Coast’s beaches were in the same boat as Durban beaches.

Oelofse said that while the North Coast can look forward to a bumper festive season, the reputational damage done to Durban will force North Coast stakeholders to work that much harder to negate the perception that our beaches fall in the same category.

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He stressed that all beaches from Zimbali north were unaffected by the infrastructure failures of Durban.

“Our seawater remains in mint condition,” he said

Durban Metro at the weekend reported receiving the go-ahead from the provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) to reopen Umdloti’s main beach, the tidal pool and Casuarina Beach.

The delay in the reopening of these beaches was caused by the late submission of Metro-conducted water test results to Edtea. Edtea opted to conduct its own tests to determine whether water quality had indeed improved to acceptable standards, which was found to be the case.

At Ballito the latest independent test results on November 29 and December 6 conducted by the Ballito Urban Improvement Precinct showed that readings taken at all local beaches from Salmon Bay to Sheffield Beach were ideal.

While still in acceptable condition, tidal pools at Hawkin’s and Thompson’s Bay did show an increase in colony-forming units.

Three of KwaDukuza’s beaches – Willard, Thompson’s Bay and Blythedale – were recently awarded Blue Flag status. Awards are allocated for excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness and meeting environmental standards.

The North Coast has a 95% and upward occupancy rate of rented accommodation for the peak festive period, said Oelofse.

Non-peak periods occupancy levels were estimated at 60% and upward, while hotels and resort accommodation painted an average occupancy rate of 75%, with peak periods and weekends fully booked.

Apart from the increase of holidaymakers, Oelofse said they had also noted an increase in day visitors who looked north for alternatives as a result of polluted sea water to the south.

On the issue of increased traffic volumes exacerbated by the continued closure of the M4 over the Tongaat River bridge, a virtual meeting was held between the iLembe Chamber and the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) last Wednesday.

Despite the lack of progress with the awarding of tenders, hoped to have been finalised by last Friday, Sanral said it had done away with the three-month mobilisation clause to speed up repairs once tenders were awarded.

It is anticipated repairs would take 10 weeks to complete.

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