THOSE who opposed the idea of the proposed nudist beach were called ‘narrow minded’ at a nudist debate run by the Hibiscus Coast Municipality at Trafalgar beach on Monday.
More than a hundred people attended the meeting to hear what the outcome of the debate would be.
The panel of debaters were inlcuded Christian leader Pastor Philani Jula, Pastor Thanduxolo Ncane, representing the KwaXolo and KwaNzimakwe communities, Brigadier Agnes Nxamangele from the Port Shepstone SAPS and Professor Olliver Ransome, chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association.
The naturists said the idea could improve the economy, and bring tourists to the South Coast.
The debate followed a proposal from the South African National Naturist Association to have 500 metres of the Mpenjati Nature Reserve declared nudist friendly.
Sibusiso Nzimande, head of department for community services at HCM, said the municipality received the proposal and treated it like any other proposal. “Because we are a democratic country we treat all proposals the same; this proposal will also sit in council,” he said.
Pastor Ncane said that the KwaXolo tribe had met to discuss the idea, and that both the KwaNzimakwe and KwaXolo communities were against it.
“This will open room for crime such as rape, we cannot have people wandering around naked,” he said, speaking in Zulu.
He added that money would have to be spent to make sure that the naturists were safe when using the beach. “Instead of hiring security and spending money for protection it would be better if the money was used to develop the coast,” he said.
Even though two thirds of the people at the meeting admitted that they’d visited a nudist beach before, they did not like the idea of a nudist beach being in their territory.
Trafalgar residents said they used the beach regularly and would feel uncomfortable being restricted by naked people.
“We walk our dogs, and take our children to the beach,” said one of the residents who added that he didn’t want his children to witness this public nudity.
Serge Pavlovic, chairman of the Western Cape Naturist Association, said the beach would attract the upper class, and people would flock to the South Coast if the idea was passed.
“There is an unofficial nudist beach in Umhlanga and it is bringing money into that area, tourists visit all the time because of the lovely weather,” he said.
The matter will be discussed further in council on Tuesday next week. READ MORE ON THE NUDIST BEACH HERE
