Cllr paints a different picture on beach locker dissent
Unfortunately, I have to disagree with Mr Blake, who is not local but from Johannesburg and whose interest in the area appears to extend to a flat that he allegedly rents out.
EDITOR – Thank you for the opportunity to respond, although I will have to keep it to the point, being that Mr Blake, from the outset, indicated he was seeking legal advice on the matter.
Unfortunately, I have to disagree with Mr Blake, who is not local but from Johannesburg and whose interest in the area appears to extend to a flat that he allegedly rents out.
I actually responded to him twice (Sapphire Coast Tourism chairman Jacques van Schalkwyk was copied).
He has however also sent correspondence to other councillors, the mayor and city manager. From his correspondence, it could appear they either did not respond or took his denial of my own response, but that remains an open question.
I engaged with Captain Sunker, the immediate past chairman of SCT Kim McCarthy, as well as previous chairman Awie Pienaar, as while I myself have been involved in the committee for several years, long before taking office, I have never heard of Mr Blake, his proposal or a business known as “Crow’s Nest”.
The only person who vaguely recalled someone mentioning something about beach lockers – besides myself as can be verified from SCT minutes – was Awie Pienaar.
He however made it clear, as he does not know Mr Blake, he never engaged on the matter with anyone, nor did he peruse any such alleged proposal.
Beach manager Mickey Sadler, who is mentioned, is no longer in council’s employ, being that he retired several years ago.
As explained to Mr Blake by both Jacques van Schalkwyk and I, the locker system is part of the SCT (NPO) festive season planning and initiative. This in our effort to reduce petty theft on the beach and supply both locals and tourist with peace of mind while they enjoy our beautiful amenities.
The money so secured is not to the advantage of Jacques van Schalkwyk or any one person, but rather seeks to employ local labour and to further fund other activities and projects of SCT in the larger interest of the entire community.
This said, and what Mr Blake further fails to mention, is that Jacques van Schalkwyk invited him to re-submit his proposal to council, being that Durban’s tourism focus has gone through various changes, which might even favour his alleged proposal.
