Looking back on South Coast history: September 3 to 9

The South Coast was moving ahead in 1999.

September 3

1999
“The new lighthouse at Port Edward is almost completed.”

And private enterprise was also in the news… “A Port Shepstone company has built a diesel locomotive for export to Argentina.”

But it wasn’t all good news. “A sick phone caller caused anxiety and panic for two local mothers last week.”

September 4

1992
“Two murders, a drowning and a robbery in Uvongo during the past week have sent shock waves rippling through the community.”

And bad news for commuters was at least put on hold for a while. “With bus fares set to rise by as much as 100 percent early next year, the Department of Transport has allocated R1-million to keep the lack transport service operating on the threatened Lower South Coast routes until the end of the year.”

1998
Strike action affected everyone. “With a few exceptions, most of the pump attendants at filling stations on the Lower South Coast were on strike on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.”

September 5

1997
“Five people were killed and two children seriously injured in three accidents on the main road at Hibberdene in five days. Two of the accidents involved one family.”

September 6

1991
“A R45-million non-racial teachers’ training college and community college in Gamalakhe, which is expected to provide a major educational and economic boost for Southern Natal, has been given the green light by the Development Bank of South Africa.”

And none of the excuses involved cable theft… “Three extensive power failures which occurred recently were caused by a tractor hitting a power line in July, pollution of a transformer at a substation near Marburg by salty sea mist on August 7 and a fault at a Spoornet substation on August 22.”

1996
Violence plagued the area. “Two tourists, one from Wales, were injured when the Banana Express was stoned at Bomela last Saturday.”

And… “A Southbroom woman this week described her terrifying ordeal on the N2, where she was surrounded by youths brandishing AK47s.”

But water woes had an unlikely cause… “Too much rain last year resulted in consumers not using enough water! This was the explanation given by the Ugu Regional Council for the massive percentage increases in water tariff rates.”

September 8

1995
“Harding residents were jolted from their beds on Tuesday night by a series of loud explosions and fires which caused millions of rands worth of damage. The town’s waterworks and pipes were extensively damaged, leaving the town without water for 18 hours. Moosa’s Wholesalers was badly gutted, causing an estimated R2-million in damage to stock alone and Target Furnishers and Features Shoes were badly damaged.”

Meanwhile in Margate: “Striking municipal workers went on the rampage on Friday, ripping open refuse bags, strewing rubbish, smashing glass and throwing litter in the roads near the borough offices. In Southbroom, striking workers toyi-toyied through the quiet town, emptying rubbish bags and bins in their path.”

“Port Shepstone and Kokstad police seized almost four tons of dagga with a street value of R3,9-million during August.”

“Passengers on the Banana Express tour to Oribi Gorge spent half an hour of terror near Bomela when youths climbed aboard and threatened them.”

2000
Motorists felt that too many fines were being issued. “A group of angry motorists has asked Margate Local Council to appoint a committee to investigate the town’s traffic department.”

And… “The surprise late arrival of pockets of sardines has resulted in deaths of dolphins and sharks. Six common dolphins, five bottlenose dolphins and 36 sharks died after being trapped in nets from Durban southwards this week.”

September 9

1994

After sliding on its roof for about 100m, the bus was stopped by a large tree, which prevented it falling further down the embankment. pic: Herald archives1994

“Five people died and 41 people were injured when a bus went out of control after allegedly swerving to avoid a car near Murchison Hospital on the main Harding road.”

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