This week in South Coast history: August 26 to 29

THE state of South Coast roads seems to have been a cause for complaint, year in, year out. In summer it was the mud and, in winter, the dust.

August 26

1938
“Letter to the editor
SIR,- The dusty state of our roads has been condemned by everybody, including our medical practitioners.”

1955
ON the subject of the compulsory sewerage connection at Margate, the comment waqs made: “Council should not make costly demands before making loan provisions.”

BUT locals were happy to hear that Uvongo was soon to have the first drive-in cinema on the Natal South Coast.

MEANWHILE, Port Shepstone adopted ‘wait and see’ policy over the latest medical breakthrough. “It was resolved not to adopt a policy of general vaccination with the new polio vaccine but, on application by parents desiring to have their children vaccinated, to procure the vaccine and have to job done for them.”

AND the first tenant of the Homes for the Aged was comfortably installed by the Child Welfare Society. “In a fortnight’s time, the next tenant, sponsored by the Alfred County Group of Women’s Institutes, will move in.”

1960
AN aircraft landed on the 17th fairway of Southbroom golf course, much to the surprise of golfers. “Many people seeing the plane flying in low thought it had crash-landed and streamed to the spot, only to see the three men taking out their golf clubs for the game of golf they came all the way from Empangeni to play.”

1966
ONE of the most pleasing features of the Alfred County centenary celebrations was the splendid accord among the various European race groups, Afrikaans, English, German and Norwegian.

BUT the Group Areas Board weren’t about to let any other race groups in. “Replying to a letter from the Port Shepstone Borough Council in which the council had made representations for the establishment of an open trade area, the Department of Planning said that the whole question was given due consideration by the Group Areas Board but that no new facts or circumstances had come to light to warrant any change in position.”

1983
“NEW shopping centre and supermarket for Margate.”

1988
LATE August was a busy time. Margate Airport was closed to all air traffic while the runway was being resurfaced and a Port Shepstone plastics firm landed a large contract to produce heavy duty shopping bags emblazoned with a picture of the Pope.

AT the same time: “Sea discharge as a cheaper alternative to a conventional sewerage system scheme could be considered in Shelly Beach.”

August 27

1965
“A COMPLETE and comprehensive register of all holiday accommodation in Natal is in the process of being compiled by the Natal Tourism Board.

1971
“THE Ifafa River lagoon is being developed into a R1-million holiday and water sports centre.”

1976
BOTH Port Shepstone and Margate were making a real effort to put themselves on the tourist map. The Port Shepstone council decided to draw the attention of the National Monuments Commission to the fact that a portion of the police headquarters was one of the oldest buildings in the town and should be declared a national monument and “Margate beach is to get a facelift in the form of a new beach restaurant, which will be built at the Wimpy company’s expense.”

August 28

1964
CONSTRUCTION of the Umtamvuna river bridge was running behind schedule. “Last week the Secretary for Public Works advised that a start will be made with the erection of the arch span during next month and it is anticipated that the service will be completed by the end of September 1965.”

1987
“A SECTION of the old Marburg Town Board offices is being used to provide clinic services, following the fire which destroyed Albersville Clinic recently.”

August 29

1975
“UMTENTWENI is seeking legal advice to halt the merger with Port Shepstone.”

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