A well-supported series of clean-up operations gave North Coast beaches between Ballito and Zinkwazi a facelift on Saturday morning.

Hundreds joined the clean-ups at Willard, Blythedale and Zinkwazi beaches for the delayed celebration of International Coastal Clean-up Day. The event fell on September 21 this year, but had to be pushed back on the North Coast because of bad weather.

The setback did not stop the Ezemvelo Honorary Officers however, who pushed on two weeks later and organised great support for the initiative.

Schools, churches and community groups from across KwaDukuza joined hands to ensure their beaches remained in pristine condition. Between them, the group collected 64 bags of litter at the three beaches across nine kilometres of coastline.

As part of the clean-ups, those participating filled in forms detailing the litter they collected which provided useful data on what is being left behind on our coastline.

Some of the more noteworthy items included a dead chicken, plastic mat, big cushion, hair, syringes and condoms, which showed the variety of waste that gets dumped or washed down rivers.

Ezemvelo Honorary Officers are volunteers who are passionate about nature conservation. They are formally registered as a non-profit organisation and help to promote the work of and support Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife – the wildlife authority across the province. Visit ezemveloho.com/about-us to find out more about the work they do.

Organisers thanked Sappi, Umdloti SPAR and the Zinkwazi and Blythedale Ski Boat Clubs for sponsoring goodie bags, treats and hot dogs.

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