Looking back on South Coast history, 1991 to 2000: January 22 to 28

It was not a good start.
January 22

1993
“The driver of a car which slammed into the front of a truck on the toll road near Uvongo died instantly in a crash described by rescue workers as one of the worst they had ever attended.”

And… “The incidence of rabies has increased dramatically and veterinary authorities urge all dog owners to ensure their dogs are inoculated.”

1999
Crowds caused chaos at the Home Affairs office. This was, apparently, an annual occurrence. “A large number of parents do not register their children at birth. But when the children reach school age, they require birth certificates to enrol them at school.”

January 23

1998
Ugu’s financial woes are nothing new. “The disciplinary hearing in respect of the Ugu Regional Council’s financial director has not yet been finalised.”

An inquiry at Uvongo was told police heads had been warned there would be trouble at Shobashobane prior to the 1995 Christmas Day massacre.

In another incident… “While a good Samaritan saved a drowning man, thieves stole four tog bags containing goods valued at R2 000.”

January 24

1992
An old car has its advantages… “Robbers threw back the keys of their victim’s motor car after he had told them it wouldn’t get them very far.”

January 25, 1991: An immature female whale shark washed up on Southport beach. The cause of death was not known. Pic: Herald archives

January 26

1996
“A whopping 11 457 pupils have enrolled at 19 schools in the five transitional local council areas on the Lower South Coast. More are expected to enrol next week, with final figures expected in 10 days.”

News wasn’t always forthcoming… “The arrests of three people in connection with the Nsimbini massacre in which 10 people died on December 15 could neither be confirmed nor denied.”

January 27

1995
These were violent times. “At least 11 people, including two small babies and two other children, were killed in two separate attacks in Izingolweni last week.”

But hopes were high. “Little did those Lower South Coast children attending ‘big school’ for the first time on Tuesday realise they were part of a subject they would be learning at school – history. They were among the first intake of the province’s class 1 pupils in the new South Africa.”

January 28

1994
“The Auditor-General’s report on the Borough of Margate’s accounts was the most derogatory statement about a local authority one could ever imagine.”

2000
“Those wanting to object to the Municipal Demarcation Board boundary proposals and submit counter-proposals have only four days to do so.”

And a serial rapist got a hefty sentence.

A man who terrorised the community of Murchison has been sent to prison for an effective 40 years.

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