Ballito resident Etienne Naudé writes:

Your recent article on examining bias in public debate is timely, especially regarding the proposed primary school on provincial land adjacent to the Zen Drive Park.

As residents who care deeply about Ballito’s long-term sustainability, our primary focus is the increasing ecological value of this land. Through years of quiet work by the local Conservancy, the area has been steadily regenerating into coastal forest and grassland. This has restored habitat for birds and small mammals, improved biodiversity and strengthened a vital green corridor in a rapidly growing town.

This restoration is not theoretical, it is visible, measurable and ongoing. Once lost, it cannot be easily recovered. For this reason alone, there is a strong public-interest case to pause and ask whether continued loss of green space aligns with Ballito’s future resilience, climate adaptation and quality of life.

We are not opposed to education or due process. We recognise that the land is zoned for education, that the provincial lease appears valid and that municipal processes, including environmental, traffic and infrastructure assessments, are still underway.

However, that is exactly why questions must be asked now. Concerns about traffic, stormwater, sewer and electricity capacity and cumulative infrastructure strain are practical, community-wide issues that fall within the municipality’s mandate.

This debate should go beyond a single application. The real issue is how land that has demonstrably increased in environmental value can be secured for protection into the future. We support exploring mechanisms to transfer suitable provincial land into municipal care, pursue rezoning for conservation, coupled with continued support for the Conservancy’s restoration efforts.

This is not about vilifying any applicant. It is about recognising that Ballito’s green lungs are finite and worth protecting. We can, and should, support education, infrastructure planning and ecological restoration, but that requires calm, fact-based discussion and forward-thinking governance.

We remain committed to working constructively with the Conservancy, municipal authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that decisions taken today do not unintentionally undermine the environmental assets future generations will depend on.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.