Looking back on South Coast history, 1991 to 2000, January 1 to 7

The year started with some ‘warm and fuzzy’ stories.

January 1

1993
While South Coast folk turned out in full force to celebrate the opening of the attractive new St Michael’s Sands Golf Club clubhouse…

“Herbert ‘Pops’ Johnston received a letter from a nine-week-old baby he rescued from the Titanic’s lifeboats 80 years ago”…

And an honest trolley pusher at a local supermarket returned a pensioner’s handbag.

1999
Six years later, the news was quite different. “The slaying of 14 people, in two separate incidents over the Christmas long weekend was not politically inspired, according to the police.”

“Eight people died and three people were injured when gunmen attacked a home in Jericho, near Margate, on Christmas Eve.”

And there were mixed emotions at the release of five Inkatha Freedom Party members who had appealed against their conviction for the Shobashobane massacre on Christmas morning 1995.

January 2

1998
Local matric results were good and it was announced… “By a mere 0,8mm, 1997 was the wettest year on the Lower South Coast in 90 years.”

January 3

1992
“Trafalgar residents and holidaymakers have flocked to sign a petition, protesting about the smell of sewage in the area.”

And… “Fire was returned by members of the SADF and SAP when they were shot at with automatic weapons, on two occasions, in the KwaXaba area near Gamalakhe.”

1997
There was happier news this year. “A dolphin saved the life of a five-year-old boy who was swept out to sea at Turton beach last Friday afternoon.”

And… “Stolen cars and thousands of rands worth of property were recovered by the Port Shepstone SAPS Dog Unit during December.”

Those who died in 1995 were remembered at a special service. “Indigenous trees symbolising life will shelter the graves of the 19 victims of the Shobashobane Christmas Day massacre, the horrendous climax of violence and bloodshed in 1995.”

But… “Two minor earth tremors shook the Lower South Coast during the week before Christmas.”

And… “Fourteen horses were were kept in a rail truck for a whole week over Christmas because no provision was made for road transport and Port Shepstone does not have stabling facilities.”

January 4

1991
Police issued a warning. “Senior citizens invite criminals into their home to commit murder, rape, assault and robbery, through not taking proper security precautions. In the first nine months of the year there were 645 murders, compared with 336 in 1989. Rape cases increased from 195 to 212, robbery from 424 to 583 and housebreaking from 2 143 to 2639 cases.”

January 7

1994
New Year revelry had its down side. “An estimated 30 000 revellers welcomed the new year at the Margate beach party. There was a happy atmosphere and no serious incidents. However, after the music stopped at around 2am, members of the South African Police, including the Child Protection Unit, had to deal with many drunk teenagers, some as young as 14.”

At least the drunks weren’t driving. “On New Year’s Eve, NPA officers only charged one driver for drinking and driving.”

But violence reared its ugly head. “A prominent local tribal chief and member of the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly, Inkosi Everson Xolo (45) was ambushed on his way home from a meeting and shot several times. He is in a serious condition in a Durban hospital.”

And there was an unusual news item. “A rare albino crocodile, thought to be only the third ever recorded, hatched at Riverbend crocodile farm in Southbroom on December 29, one of a clutch of 40.”

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