One man trying to make a difference

On Saturday afternoon, January 30, I decided to take a walk on the beachfront, thinking that as the holidaymakers had returned home it would be less crowded. What a shock awaited me!
Now before I continue, I want to state (before this story of mine becomes an issue and blown out of all proportion) that I am not against any nationality or people having a good time. All I wanted was to take a leisurely stroll along the board walk and back (by The Galley) but wished I hadn’t even attempted to.
The air was alcohol-fuelled; there were drunken antics on the verges and steps down to the beach. Litter was being thrown everywhere. I was verbally abused and accosted but wasn’t going to be deterred to turn around and retreat as I had every right to be there as anyone else. However, it made me wistful and very sad that our wonderful Ballito has been turned into something that I witnessed.
Having said this, on a really refreshing note, I watched a man wandering around picking up litter, putting it into a small plastic bag. He wore a coloured shirt that I recognised to be UIP. I approached him; he had a badge that said ‘Enforce/UIP’ – his name was Andile. He was an older gentleman and we talked.
I asked him if there were bins along the beach and if there were any other UIP guys helping him. He said he was alone and that he couldn’t just stand there doing nothing, so he was trying to do something useful. He was not happy about what he was seeing and said he has tried to educate people but they don’t care and he gets aggressively heckled, especially by those who have been drinking.
Whilst we were talking we were both verbally abused but he remained speaking to me, even when a child threw litter at him, others laughing thinking it funny.
His conversation was interesting as was his life story. He is trying to do something for the community against all odds. I commended him and the work he was doing; he was so grateful for the compliment. I walked away with the courage to finish my walk even though I was being thwarted menacingly by young men along the way. I admit I didn’t return the same way I had started but walked back to my car via the road.
I have nothing but praise for people like Andile for his determination and pride in his work. I applaud the man. It’s just a shame that more people and youngsters cannot follow in the older generation’s footsteps and have more respect, not only for themselves but mainly for others.
Andile pointed out to me that it all comes down to parenting, as he has taught his own family. I have experienced good and bad in my life but meeting Andile – and there are many others like him – was the one of the best experiences. My trip to the beach turned out to be more positive than I thought.
Will I go to the beach again? Perhaps not on a weekend but definitely some other time and I hope very much that I meet up with Andile again. A very wise man and a pleasure to converse with. UIP should be proud to have such a gentleman as him.
LIN STREATFIELD
Ballito