Letters: Chaka’s toilets unusable

From time to time I read of the improvements to the beach facilities at the many attractive beaches we are blessed with on the Dolphin Coast.
In last week’s issue, I see that the UIP are assisting the municipality in upgrading and improving the toilet facilities at Salmon Bay, Hawkins Road and Willard beaches – all credit to them. However, there is one beach that I understand is called Chaka’s Cove, with its famous rock swimming pool and tidal pool, that is completely overlooked and neglected.
It has NO toilet facilities at all and one refuse point, it is littered with rocks and broken concrete.
I am aware that a toilet block was erected some years ago but it is derelict and, as I understand it, could not be used as it encroaches on private property.
If we wish to encourage our local residents and tourists to come to our beaches, surely it behoves us to provide this basic facility and do what we can to improve the beach users’ experience.
I will contact my ward councillor and suggest an on-site inspection, hopefully with someone from the municipality, and I wondered whether an official from UIP might be able to offer some advice in this regard.
KEITH DUANE
Chakas Rock

Ballito UIP project leader Brian Wright replies: Quality public amenities are indeed very important for a memorable experience to our shared beaches, hence the partnership with KwaDukuza municipality in the upgrade and ongoing servicing of the public amenities on the Ballito beachfront. I would concur that Keith contact the ward councillor, furthermore I would suggest he draft a motivational letter addressed to the municipality requesting consideration of re-establishing amenities at Chaka’s Cove which are a great asset to the Dolphin Coast.