DEAR Editor,
The South Coast Herald’s campaign to save our Hibiscus Coast from ruin could not have come at a more opportune time. This fine stretch of unrivalled coastline will go the same way as the once-pristine Port St Johns – if we allow our slovenly, inept and bone-idle councils to have their way.
Our economy is based on tourism, but authorities are doing their best to eliminate this desperately-needed source of income by allowing law and order and our infrastructure around beaches to collapse. Margate in particular is starting to look like a war zone. Broken walkways and piles of rubbish around the beachfront swimming pool are enough to deter most holidaymakers. From there, all the way to the recently-trashed Whale Deck and beyond, is a trail of broken walkway boards, shattered and discarded alcohol bottles, as well as the litter from countless fast-food meals. Not to mention the overpowering odour of urine.
The source of all this destruction is the uninhibited behaviour of out-of-town visitors who arrive at weekends with their alcohol and food, take over the beachfront and do exactly as they please – without interference from the municipal police or the SAPS. The impromptu street parties carry on for hours and long into the night. Then they pile back into their vehicles, mostly inebriated, and drive home, putting the lives of their passengers and other road users in mortal danger.
Why is this permitted to happen? They bring in their own food and alcohol, trash our beachfront and leave us to clean up the mess. And we, as ratepayers, are expected to condone such behaviour while property values fall, year after year and the municipality tries to think up new ways to increase its income to keep their jobs.
It remains to be seen for how much longer the Africa Bike Week festival will be held in Margate.
ROGER MAKINGS
Ramsgate
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
