Looking back on South Coast history: July 30 to August 5
Fires, political unrest, vandalism and a train wreck, but a new temple and air service lighten the news.
Dissatisfaction with councillors and breaks in the water supply seemed to be endemic to the South Coast.
July 30
1993
“More than 300 Shelly Beach ratepayers packed into the Dawn View Hotel last Thursday evening to demand the resignation of the town’s councillors.”
And… “A water main was ripped apart by contractors blasting for the new sewerage system in Port Edward, cutting off supplies to businesses, two schools and homes.”
Unrest was disrupting education. “Sister Joan’s High School in Bhobhoyi was officially closed on Monday and will remain closed until conflict in the area has been resolved.”
1999
“The Port Shepstone cemetery has been wrecked by vandals, abused by vagrants and plaques have been stolen.”
And… “KwaMasosha high school in Nzimakwe has been burgled three times this month.”
July 31
1992
“A new air service between Margate and Johannesburg will start on a brand new airline on Monday, August 3.”
The drought was such that water had to be delivered to inland areas. “Drinking water delivered by Banana Express.”
1998
“Despite being injured in the process, patrol dog Shadow caught three robbery suspects at Langabelala last Monday.”
August 1
1997
“More than R10 000 damage was done to the Alfred County Railway narrow gauge railway when 10 trucks were derailed a kilometre from Izotsha station on Monday night.”
“Port Shepstone businessmen and shop owners are furious about the increase in parking meter fees from 50 cents to R2 per hour.”
August 2
1996
“Historic ceremony marks temple opening.”
August 4
1995
“While peace monitors applaud the deployment of two armoured squadrons in KwaZulu-Natal, they believe more effective policing is needed to stem the increasing political violence which claimed 27 lives in southern KwaZulu-Natal last month.”
2000
“Not one child was fed at some schools in a programme aimed at providing desperately poor children with much-needed sustenance. Senior health officials from the Port Shepstone region face charges of fraud and corruption.”
August 5
1994
“Peace worker Reverend Danny Chetty has been appointed to the national board of the Human Rights Committee and to the Goldstone Commission of Inquiry’s advisory panel into the effects of political violence on children.”
