We asked readers for thier experience using the local beach bathrooms over this festive season – clean and accessible or in need of improvement?

Marie-France Robert – Our public bathrooms are past being disgusting. It’s a disgrace that tourists come to our coast and have to use these ablutions. Those in charge should take a walk into the facilities and see for themselves. How embarrassing.

Alexandra Harrison – Unfortunately the facilities are badly abused, so maintenance becomes a knock-on issue. I’ve seen cleaners but the facilities need regular monitoring and refreshing. Charge R2 like the toilets at Belvista Centre/KwikSpar and provide good facilities.

Mike Snashall – I’m a local resident and I was shocked, especially Willard Beach in Ballito between Christmas and New Year, filthy, stinky, dirty and urine everywhere!

Lynette Lognath – Thompson’s Bay was shockingly filthy with litter. Cleaners should be there at 6am to clean up during peek season. They only appeared after 10am. We had to explain to our visitors that our beach is not normally so filthy. I am sure our municipality can do much better. I have faith in our beautiful city. I didn’t dare to peek into the toilets.

Wessel Pieterse – Especially at Salt Rock, the taxis and bakkies stop at the grass area across from the beach, and before the vehicles even stop the occupants scatter for the bushes for their ablutions despite ablution facilities available less than 50 metres away. Before the people leave, the parking area is used as an open ablution area again. While consuming alcohol they also throw glass bottles about.

Eureka Broberg – I’m not the biggest person and I have to squeeze into a cubical at the main beach. All facilities are disgusting at the beaches. The one close to the boathouse and ski boat club is also gross.

Morgyn Prinsloo – I think in general, it feels and looks as if Ballito is deteriorating judging from the state of the beaches and public facilities to ongoing electricity issues.

Usha Birbal – Have seen the water from the toilets flowing straight into the tidal pool when the cleaners were washing the toilets at Tinley Manor Beach. Was disgusted and I even took pics and informed the person in charge.

David Butler – Franchise them like they do in the Italian Riviera. Spotless with clean facilities. Cleaned every night, including beach raking. One beach in the area is unfranchised for those who cannot afford to pay. What an amazing difference. Licence a budding entrepreneur on an annual basis subject to quality checks. Doccra….take up my suggestion with authorities.

Valerie Widmann Govender – Disgusting! Start charging people. Privatise these “public” bathrooms and keep the riffraff out!

Juanita Jansen van Rensburg – The whole KZN coast can learn a lot from the Cape, even the Eastern Cape – clean, neat, tidy and with toilet paper. Beaches and parks are clean, people are friendly and you feel welcome. Here you can’t even go to a park as you have to sit on broken bottles and discarded bones.

Warren Storror – Disgusting, it all comes down to poor management.

Margaret Berichon – Disgusting every single one of them. Women especially need hygienic facilities to use. The municipality should be ashamed. This is a very poor reflection on our beautiful town.

Natasha Engelbrecht – I rather go back home before I use the bathrooms at the beach.

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