Looking back on South Coast history, 1991 to 2000: April 2 to 8
Both drought and floods featured in this week's news.
Local authorities were keen to get together.
April 2
1993
“Southern Natal local authorities and town councils have announced their readiness to amalgamate.”
But the level of cooperation sometimes left a lot to be desired. “Confusion over listed emergency telephone numbers and the Margate fire service not being allowed to respond to calls in Uvongo, delayed the arrival of fire fighting services at two flats which were gutted in Manaba on Monday night.”
1999
“The OK Mall is to be relaunched as the Hibiscus Mall during the Hibiscus Festival in July.”
“The Red Cross Hall in Port Shepstone was broken into for the second time in a month last week. In addition to smashing a filing cabinet, robbers stole cash, a cheque book, a fax and photostat machine.”
April 3
1992
“A foreign boat, suspected of being a ‘longliner’ trawling illegally off Southbroom, sped off into deep water when approached by the National Sea Rescue Institute’s lifeboat last Thursday night. During the chase, the suspect vessel jammed the radio frequencies.”
“Water shortage now ‘desperate’. R800-million needed to combat drought.”
Road carnage was particularly bad. “Two collisions claimed nine lives and injured 52 people, and three other people were killed, pushing this year’s Easter road casualty figures past last year’s.”
But… “The toll road from Uvongo to Southbroom will be open on Friday, April 10.”
April 4
1997
“Margate residents woke up to devastation on Wednesday morning – the town’s beachfront and CBD looked as if it had been hit by a bomb.”
A holidaymaker lost two cars and a trailer.
And a furniture factory was wiped out. “All our machines, wood, raw material, computers and furniture were washed away.” Some broken furniture, wood and other equipment from the factory was found on Margate beach, about one and a half kilometres away.
April 5
1991
“Quality tea is now being produced at Paddock, three years and several million rand after the decision was taken to grow tea commercially. Not only is the project on schedule but the quality and quantity of the first pick is better than expected.”
1996
“Bail of R15 000, subject to stringent conditions, was granted to James Zulu, on appeal, in the Supreme Court in Pietermaritzburg. Mr Zulu was arrested in connection with the death of South Coast ANC chairman, George Mbhele.”
In a special Easter message, South Coast Senator, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, urged the community to remember that Easter was a season for peace and forgiveness.
April 7
1995
Pauline Duncan was named Port Shepstone’s mayor.
April 8
1994
“Two women and seven children, including a five-month-old baby, were dragged from their Nkulu Ward kraal by an armed gang of about 20 and brutally massacred.”
“Wide-ranging powers, including search, seizure and arrest as well as detention without trial for up to 30 days, have been given to the SA Police and SA Defence Force in terms of the emergency regulations which came into effect in KwaZulu-Natal last Thursday.”
And security forces on the Lower South Coast received a boost of some 150 soldiers.
“Ambulance crews at Port Shepstone Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services will stay on strike despite an interdict against them.”
“The African National Congress has strongly condemned the attack on the Mzelemu kraal and has called for an independent investigation of the massacre as it says it cannot rely on the local Riot Investigation Unit.”
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