DEAR Editor,
The Rev Mike Effanga’s attack on Ronnie Nair’s reputation as HCM speaker is both unfair and unfounded. I have known Mr Nair for at least four decades now and, during that time, watched him grow and blossom from being principal at one of the best-run secondary schools on the South Coast into an astute, well-read, well-spoken and highly respected policitian.
I do not believe that the speaker would have taken a unilateral decision on behalf of council regarding the proposed nudist beach. The chairman of any organisation, Rev Effanga included, cannot make public utterances without a clear mandate from his committee. To accuse Mr Nair of evading his responsibility to the public is both short-sighted and somewhat naive.
Both Mr Nair and Simon April made it clear that council had already given the green light to the nudist beach and that the relevant by-laws were relaxed insofar as that section of the beach is concerned. Surely the decision of council must stand until they are able to listen to the reason of the ‘concerned citizens group’ where a new outcome may be possible?
In addition to numerous points raised by other readers in favour of the nudist beach, I would like to add my bit. Occasionally we are all subjected to some form of public obscenity or other – urinating in public, inappropriate attire on crowded beaches during holidays, TV stations that choose to air pornographic material during times that children have access, are just a few that come to mind. Even some cultural practices allow bare-breasted women in public.
Rev Effanga would do well to apply his mind to these greater immoral issues, which are impacting society at large, rather than attack the speaker, who did not decide on his own to allow something that is confined to a small, isolated stretch of beach far from the public gaze.
Come on, Reverend, the South Coast has long been yearning for some sort of economic boost to spur development in the region! The nudist beach may just be the answer to this.
NITHIA CHETTY
Umtentweni
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