Looking back on South Coast history: November 19 to 25
New facilities in Hibberdene, the opening of Port Edward's lighthouse and a boost for tourism lightened some otherwise disastrous news.
It looked as if the long-running saga of amalgamation was coming to an end.
November 19
1999
“Indications are that the five Lower South Coast local authorities and six tribal authorities will be amalgamated to form one municipality.”
And a common problem hit all the local authorities. “Oil washed up on many of the beaches along the Lower South Coast this weekend and municipal departments have been hard at work cleaning up the mess.”
Meanwhile, the new North Sand Bluff lighthouse at Port Edward was ‘switched on’ during the official opening and the full spectrum of roleplayers was represented at the joint opening of the Hibberdene Local Council administrative block and Lions’ BrightSight Eye Clinic.
November 20
1992
“Financial disaster faces many southern Natal farmers despite the rain which has fallen in the past two months.”
November 22
1991
“The Lower South Coast’s future as a prime tourist destination has been secured, with Natal in general and Durban and the LSC in particular, having been chosen to pioneer the potentially massive package tourist trade to South Africa.”
1996
A man died of rabies in Margate Hospital, five months after being bitten by an infected dog and the department of Transport turned down a request for robots at Sea Park, despite an appeal by the mayor.
As if that weren’t enough bad news for one week, the gardens at the entrance to Marina Beach were vandalised and a train came off the tracks.
November 24
1995
“Two suspected armed robbers and a passer-by were killed and four others, including a policeman were wounded in a shootout in Harding on Tuesday.”
But three Port Shepstone Protection Services’ officers were reported to be in line for bravery awards after they risked their lives to rescue a dog which had fallen halfway down a quarry.
November 25
1994
“Tribal authorities should not be included in local government negotiating forums, KwaZulu-Natal’s Minister of Local Government, Peter Miller, told members of the Impenjati/Mtamvuna Local Government Negotiating Forum last week.”
Meanwhile: “Three people were killed and three others later died in hospital when buses carrying IFP supporters from a rally in Izingolweni were attacked near Bhobhoyi last Saturday.”
And the ANC and the IFP blamed each other for the killing of six people in the shoot-out near Bhobhoyi.
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