Bad advertisement for beach

I walk along the promenade every morning from the Galley to Hops. On my way I pass what was a public toilet before the “tsunami” of 2007 and is now known as the “bus stop”.

At the time of the destruction of much of this area, it was found that the back of the toilet building was supporting the garden above it and could therefore not be removed.

Thus, it was repaired and fitted with benches. I sometimes walk past this structure twice a day and have never seen it being used by anyone other than vagrants and people sitting with (illegal) bottles of alcohol.

I have also seen people who have obviously slept there for the night. The dune on the sea side of the prom is always littered with bottles and fast food packages.

There are two large concrete bins above the steps leading to the Granny pool, and none in the vicinity of the bus stop. In the morning I have even seen the remains of a fire lit in front of the benches, actually on the prom.

I wonder how our visitors view this eyesore particularly as it is situated alongside another huge eyesore, the “Big Blue”.

A friend of mine re-painted the structure at his own expense and it is now once more the home of graffiti and filth. I have frequently requested that the benches be removed as their original purpose, as a resting point along the prom, has never been realised.

It seems a fairly simple operation and would solve a big problem, as rats also congregate around the area probably looking for left overs. It certainly has no aesthetic value at all.

PAM MILLS
Ballito