DEAR Editor,-
The people who care about our beautiful South Coast and the wildlife in the Mpenjati Nature Reserve near Palm Beach were horrified to notice marquees, a ‘pop-up bar and restaurant’ and an advertisement promising a list of deejays, jet skis and road trips!
We made enquiries of the various authorities and were told that the organisers had a liquor licence – permission under the ‘gatherings act’ and we are still trying to ascertain whether they lodged a disaster/crowd control plan with the municipality.
We feel that Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has a responsibility to preserve and care for our wildlife and special places and we are very disappointed in them to say the least. While we know financial constraints and commercialisation is an economic fact, that they chose to approve a party against all the other viable tourist activities is mind boggling. Such as adventure activities that will create jobs and entertain tourists while keeping the environment in mind.
The extremely loud music and partying currently going on until the small hours of the morning must be traumatising for the wildlife at Mpenjati. The ordinary folk who would like to spend time in the picnic area having a braai with family and friends after paying a nominal entrance fee are also disappointed as peace and quiet are no longer a feature of this reserve. (There is a fine line between development and conservation. We can’t however have a conservation authority that puts profits before the environment.)
STEPHANIE BREEDT
DA Councillor
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