Looking back on South Coast history, 1991 to 2000: January 29 to February 4
New roads, but more road deaths and a spate of unroadworthy buses cropped up in this week's news.
The secondary education system in the area was showing signs of bursting at the seams.
January 30
1998
“With 10 rapidly-growing primary schools feeding three English-medium high schools in the coastal areas, places for local grade 8 pupils are at a premium this year.”
And in an ongoing saga, Roberts Commercial Properties was granted exclusive rights by the Port Shepstone Local Council to submit a marina proposal on the Mzimkhulu River.
January 31
1992
“Two mares in foal aborted and they and a foal were crushed to death when 40 horses, packed like sardines in a Spoornet train truck, apparently designed for 22, were conveyed to Port Shepstone from Harrismith last week.”
“An elderly Izotsha man is in a serious condition in the Port Shepstone hospital after being stabbed in the abdomen and hit on the eye when two intruders entered his home in broad daylight. And an Umtentweni woman is lucky to be alive after escaping serious injury, having been stabbed in the chest when two intruders broke into her home in the early hours of Monday morning.”
The police opened an attempted murder docket following the discovery of a newborn baby girl who had been buried alive.
1997
Another great plan was revealed… “A R60-million, 150-bed, seven-storey hotel and 108-unit sectional title complex is in the pipeline for Ramsgate.”
And a proactive team to promote tourism and development in Margate was formed.
February 1
1991
The road-building schedule was revealed… “The South Coast toll road from Oribi Plaza through Seaslopes to Southbroom will be opened by July 1992 and the section to Melville by January 1995. The road from there to Hibberdene is presently scheduled for completion in 1996.”
February 2
1996
“Nine out of 10 (school) buses tested by the Port Shepstone Protection Services on Wednesday morning were found to be unroadworthy and had their licences suspended.”
“Port Shepstone peace monitor Selvan Chetty (29) owes his life to the bullet-proof vest he was wearing when he was shot in the back after trying to rescue a street child from being beaten.”
February 3
1995
Police recorded some notable successes… “Within 36 hours a hijacked truck and its load of sugar valued at R1,3-million were recovered, thanks to good detective work by the Port Shepstone Murder and Robbery Unit.”
“Margate this week became the first Lower South Coast transitional local council to be proclaimed, with the other four now only expected to come into operation on March 1.”
Sadly, road carnage is an oft-repeated headline… “Seven people died and 10 were injured when a minibus carrying pupils and teachers was involved in a head-on collision with a truck in Port Shepstone.”
From delivering babies to helping with the birth of a new nation was the challenge facing Port Shepstone doctor, Siyabonga Cwele. “Now, as one of 10 KwaZulu-Natal senators in Parliament, he is assessing the country’s needs and making recommendations on senate select committees.”
“The Uvongo Council sat for the last time on Tuesday. The next morning Uvongo became a suburb of the new Borough of Margate.”
The Themba Club project for street children is one of only 20 Rotary projects worldwide which have been chosen to have special Community Concerns displays at the Rotary International 1995 Convention in May.
February 4
1994
“A family outing to Lucien Beach in Margate last Sunday turned out to be a ‘major mission’ for Ant Brodowicz, when he ended up rescuing seven people from possibly drowning.”
“An hour and a half after his ashes were scattered more than two kilometres off Shelly Beach and the heavy wooden casket dropped overboard, Sonny Evans’ casket was picked up in the bay of the small craft harbour named after him.”
2000
It seems nothing changes… “Nine unroadworthy buses, some of which transported schoolchildren, were taken off the roads by the Port Shepstone Protection services last week.”
And… “Two women died when they were trapped under the bus that crashed in Umzumbe on Monday.”
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