Two Bits – 11 July 2014

Congratulations to Malcolm Hubner of the DA on winning Ward 22 last week, and equally congratulations to Rigby Heenan for being prepared to take what some would regard as an unpopular stance by even showing his face on an ANC poster.

I was amused that both candidates, in writing to the paper this week, referred to the event as a “bi-election”. C’mon guys! “Bi” means two. The “by” or “bye” in “by-election” and “bylaws” means an “extra” or secondary score or item, the same as in cricketing terminology.

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Reader Mgculisi Qwabe has got it absolutely right. In a letter (See Page 8) he accuses the KwaDukuza municipality of “navel gazing” when it comes to its tourism practices. He is referring to the recently letter from KDM executive director Sikhumbuzo Hlongwane in response to complaints by local tourism operators that the municipality does little to support or encourage promotion of the Dolphin Coast as a destination, compared to Umhlanga, the South Coast and other places.

The municipality thinks it does a good job because it supports the Mr Price Pro surf festival, Street Heroes, Matric Rage and the New Year party. It misses the point that these events are all private initiatives and while they do benefit from municipal approval and support, the municipality itself is not a generator of new ideas, new sources of revenue.

KDM is disparaging of the old Dolphin Coast Publicity Association, but it was the DCPA that came up with a revenue-generating idea that was ignored. The proposal was that B&Bs, guesthouses and the like be registered and rated as commercial establishments. That way the municipality would get extra revenue. In return, the DCPA wanted a percentage of that money to promote the region. The members would benefit collectively and, most importantly, would not cost the municipality anything.

And secondly, as it would be in the DCPA’s interest to make the system work, it would police the area, make sure that the pirates turned legit. A benefit to members would be that the DCPA would award gradings, which would work to their benefit in the long run. In a nutshell, the municipality would get extra revenue without lifting a finger.

Today some B&Bs pay their business licences, many don’t, some pay extra rates, others don’t – certainly no rates came back to promote the region. Nobody knows the numbers, but I do know that plenty are flying under the radar. Only the municipality thinks the municipality is doing a good job of putting bums in beds on the Dolphin Coast.

It has been pointed out to me that the reason for the municipality’s lack of enthusiasm might be for an even simpler reason. They don’t like the name Dolphin Coast because it is an ‘old regime’ name, but haven’t been able to come up with a better one. So nothing is being done and that’s where the matter sits.

Be that as it may, I thoroughly enjoyed the surfing, cooking, wine-tasting and fashion shows last week and hope you all did, too.

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The British Penny – European Union Directive No. 456179:

In order to bring about further integration with the single European currency, the Euro, all citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland must be made aware that the phrase “Spending a Penny” is not to be used after 31 December 2014.

From this date onwards, the correct term will be:

“Euronating”.

It is hoped that this will be a great relief to everyone.