Looking back on South Coast history: September 17 to 23
Best police station and best front page lightened the news of drought and violence.
There was bad news in the agricultural sector.
September 17
1993
“A billion was lost to the Southern Natal economy in the last two years by the drought-ravaged agricultural industry. More than half the farmers face financial ruin unless government assistance is forthcoming in the next few weeks. With normal rainfall, it will take the majority of farmers at least two years to make their farms productive.”
1999
“The crank caller who has been hounding Port Edward residents is now phoning further afield.”
September 18
1992
“The Borough of Margate has received the green light to proceed with an extensive road upgrading programme, involving the tarring and kerbing of 8,94km of road in the Seaslopes and Gay Ridge areas and the older section of the town.”
1998
“Last Friday was a red-letter day for the residents of Gamalakhe when their new library was opened.”
But Harding’s rail link was under threat. “The Ugu Regional Council and Harding farmers will meet with the government next week to save the railway link between Port Shepstone and Harding.”
September 19
1997
“In swirling wind, a Durban man had to be airlifted to safety when he fell and fractured his ankle in the Oribi Gorge last Sunday.”
Meanwhile… Paddock farmers were asked to consider providing land to help save the guineafowl in the area.
The Herald came out tops in the Best Front Page category at the Sanlam Awards.
And … “The Port Shepstone SAPS was named as the top station in South Africa.”
September 20
1991
“The rezoning of the Inn on the Sea property on Lot 968 has been approved, the Ramsgate Town Board has announced. Renovations and additions would commence soon to transform this derelict building into 12 luxury apartments.”
September 22
1995
“Ratepayers in Harding, Margate and Hibberdene are bracing themselves for a big rates increase this year.”
2000
“The commission of inquiry into the continued taxi violence in Harding heard on Tuesday that hired assassins had been brought from Matatiele to kill a detective from Harding.”
But Gamalakhe had something to celebrate. “The Gamalakhe College of Education hosted its first graduation ceremony last Friday. Students who had completed their teaching diplomas received their certificates at the glittering function.”
September 23
1994
Under the headline “106 people killed in four months” came the awful truth: “The Lower South Coast has been one of the worst affected areas in KwaZulu-Natal for political violence.”
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