Looking back on South Coast history: September 10 to 16
The opening of a new dam was the red-letter day for this week.
Border disputes were ongoing.
September 10
1993
“Transkei was making a determined attempt to incorporate Southern Natal up to the Mzimkhulu river into the Transkei and the demands would continue unless East Griqualand and the Umzimkulu District of the Transkei were incorporated into Natal. This, Peter Miller, political director in the Inkatha Freedom Party’s national campaign office, warned a meeting of Lower South Coast local government representatives.”
And the Inkatha Freedom Party gained the support of a former Port Shepstone mayor and prominent National Party member, Sybil Seaton.
September 11
1992
“While local leaders and church ministers have welcomed the news that the Goldstone Commission will investigate the massacre of 12 Inkatha Youth League members at Bomela last Friday night, Practical Ministries has urged the commission to widen the scope of its investigations to include all acts of violence in the area.”
1998
Starting his occupation of a series of ‘hot seats’… “Councillor ‘DD’ Naidoo was elected Port Shepstone’s mayor-elect at the council’s caucus meeting on Monday.”
And the Margate Town Council was considering legal action against a developer who cleared Admiralty Reserve in Ramsgate.
The opening of a new dam meant that about 8 000 people in KwaMbotho and another 2 000 in Bashaweni now had access to clean water.
But… “Last Friday was a black day for the Lower South Coast. Well-known businessman Jay Bergsma was murdered at his office in Marburg; a fire destroyed Marine Drive Service Station in Uvongo; and two men died in a massive pile-up on the toll road near Izotsha.”
September 12
1997
“In the third week of their investigation, forensic auditors have uncovered evidence that R380 000 is missing from Ugu Regional Council funds.”
September 15
1995
‘Grass roots’ African National Congress and Inkatha Freedom Party leaders from violence-torn areas in Southern KwaZulu-Natal unanimously approved in principle a proposed four-man Independent Commission of Inquiry.
But a top IFP leader was gunned down.
September 16
1994
“Sunwich Port residents have blamed the Port Shepstone Town Council for a plague of flies which has hit the town. They claim that liquid sludge, which smells like sewage, is being dumped on a garden refuse dump by Port Shepstone Council vehicles.”
“Police shot and killed a man and arrested another after they had opened fire on a police vehicle.”
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033
