Looking back on South Coast history, 1991 to 2000: February 19 to 25
It was bad news all round in 1992, but things looked up in ’94.
History was made off Shelly Beach.
“A scuba diver wrote himself into the record books with his 174m dive off Shelly Beach last Sunday.”But the local economy wasn’t looking good. “Resort retrenches 600 employees.”And pipe-dreams came to the fore. “The R700-million Port Shepstone marina project could start within nine months if the council gives its blessing soon.”
February 20
1998
“Teenagers between 14 and 16 years clashed in vicious fights last weekend.”
“One man died, three women and a nine-month-old baby were seriously injured and eight others injured when a vehicle’s tyre burst on the freeway between Mtwalume and Ifafa.”
February 21
1992
Bad news for motorists… “Toll road fees will jump by 150 percent for cars and by 100 percent for heavy vehicles when the new fees are introduced on April 13.”
And for parents… “School fees set to soar.”
1997
“The popular Shelly Centre is to be expanded and renovated at a capital investment of approximately R40,5-million.”
February 22
1991
Local government finances came under the spotlight. “Substantial variations between amounts reflected in budgets and actual results, artificial ‘paper cuts’ to achieve state limitations on increases and an alleged deficit on the operating account of R438 200 were uncovered in an independent investigation into the financial affairs of Umtentweni Town Board.”
February 23
1996
“Five men and three youths appeared briefly in the Port Shepstone regional court on Tuesday morning in connection with the deaths of 10 people who were killed at Mvutshini, near Ramsgate, in December last year.”
Locals were assured that Margate’s Olympic swimming pool would not be privatised.
And… “Records tumbled at the South Coast’s water-event of the year – the annual tube race.”
February 24
1995
“Fifteen of the 46 Margate Transitional Local Council councillors are outraged about the councillor allowances set at its Statutory Meeting last week. And they are concerned over the ‘blatant disregard for a budget and its effect on the future’.”
“Lance Sergeant Stompie Sonnekus saw a prisoner aim a gun at him and realised he was staring death in the face. As the trigger was pulled, his dog Rex jumped in front of him and took the bullet meant for his master. Rex was hit in the head and died instantly.”
February 25
1994
There was some good news. “The local sugar industry, which generates R100-million turnover a year, is back in business. Last week, CG Smith announced that the Umzimkulu Mill would resume crushing in May.”
And… “A small factory in Margate recently shipped 3 000 Bentley belts to Israel and this could be the start of even bigger things.”
“The African National Congress this week announced its Natal lists of candidates for both the national and provincial tiers of government. One Lower South Coaster, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, was included as No 37 on the Natal Provincial Legislative list.”
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