DEAR Editor,-
The last three months preceding council’s resolution adopting the ‘naturist beach’ recorded an unparalleled period that can best be described as animating. Although at times farcical, it certainly provided much-needed relief during agonising debates. For many councillors it became an issue that pitched itself against their conscious intuition. It also posed a divide between councillors, both inter- and intra-party. The easiest option under these circumstances was to have turned the application down or deferred the matter indefinitely.
Correctly so, HCM decided to pronounce on the issue. Taking resolutions which have manifold consequences requires courageous leadership. It demanded unequivocal understanding of the philosophy of ‘naturists’. It compelled inquisition and analysis of the consequence of such decisions and exacted from individual councillors a judgement call that puts to test their true mettle and credibility. Indeed, in some cases, councillors put their political future at risk. To this end, posterity will be the best judge.
In the entire debacle, the confused and directionless posture taken by the DA leadership needs comment. It failed to get a caucused position and hence left this critical resolution to individual subjectivity. Leader Doug Rawlins, categorises such a decision as a moral issue and hence pits his councillors against each other by calling for a ‘free vote’.
The inherent contradiction reflects itself in questioning the morality of the decision at HCM while Cape Town, a DA-run council, prides itself with the ‘nudist colony’ at Sandy Bay. Such inconsistencies betray the party’s commitment to HCM and further exposes its narrow-minded political interest. Ironically there are also those who are vocally opposed to this decision, but are willing to benefit from its economic spin-off.
However, this process did not lack amusement. Social media posting went viral with crude interpretations of this concept. Media reported that you can now ‘dare to bare’ on HCM beaches. The IFP leadership categorised South Coast residents as fledglings who were not mature enough to bare it all – procrastination, for them, was a better option.
In exasperation some of the ANC councillors who undertake pastoral duties at various churches held their hands up in the air murmuring ‘Help me God!’ and ‘Hallelujah!’
By all accounts the ‘nudist beach debate’ gave HCM unprecedented coverage. It was spoken of around dinner tables, in the workplace and in taxis. Most national news media gave it coverage. As a result of this, it certainly became the most ‘popular’ municipality in the country. Even ‘Sushi King’, Kenny Kunene made reference to HCM. Let us take the hint and make the best of it by preparing for a bumper festive season, even if you are not picnicking at Trafalgar Beach.
CLLR RONNIE NAIR
ANC
