Sun shines on bumper holiday season
The Christmas tree had to be the biggest success story of the season for us.
From all accounts, Toti enjoyed a successful and safe festive season and holidaymakers will return home with positive feedback from their holidays.
“All-in-all we are happy with the season and the visitors we hosted,” said Sapphire Coast Toti Tourism chairman, Jacques van Schalkwyk.
“Toti made the front page of regional newspapers in the past three weeks, so we are glad that we made some big news from local business involvement.
We received a positive response from visitors on Toti, Warner and Winkle beaches.
The installation of the surveillance camera on Toti main beach helped make two arrests on its second day, thanks to ET Security. This is proof that the system is needed and we look forward to rolling out a network of these with local business support.”
One initiative that was a resounding success to locals and visitors was the introduction of a 15-metre high steel Christmas tree at the southern end of Toti promenade.
“The Christmas tree had to be the biggest success story of the season for us and the number of photos we have seen with people creating memories has been wonderful,” said Jacques. “We have some exciting things planned in the future for that area.”
The top section of the Christmas tree will be taken off on Monday, 12 January and four spotlights will be secured to the base to light up that part of the promenade permanently.
“My drive for this year is community and positivity. So with 2015 kicking off on a positive note and everyone making their resolutions for the year, we encourage you to add one more to your list and get involved in a community project this year. Make yourself or your business available and watch us make a difference in this place we call home.”
The plan to regulate traffic along Beach Road on 16 and 26 December and 1 January and closing Beach Road from the Link Road intersection down towards Pipeline with only permit holders allowed access, proved to be a successful one, according to ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge.
“It worked splendidly. had we not done that, it would have been chaos, like in previous years. Lots of liquor was confiscated, and having bulk drop-offs from taxis and busses also helped. We will definitely apply it again.
With a bumper festive season – blessed with some of the best holiday weather we have had in years – drawing to a close, we express our gratitude towards those who, while also wanting to be with their loved ones at this special time of the year, gave up of their time to make our town a better place for both locals and guests from across the country,” said Cllr Beetge.
“We thank members of the SAPS, Metro Police, Road Traffic Inspectorate, law enforcement, private law enforcement, eThekwini Municipality, SCTT, SPCA, FACT, certain individuals and all our business owners who worked right through.
Were you not amazed at refuse collection on Christmas and New Year’s Day morning – or beaches, parks and roads being cleaned daily – or pump stations being better operationally than in previous years – or less potholes – or better traffic flow – or some or other patrol vehicle being visible up and down the town every day and night?
Certainly there was and will be some criticism, and there will always be room for improvement as nobody is perfect, but from personal observation corroborated by residential reports, and given available resources, these people were at their posts and ready to serve.
To all of these individuals, whether paid or volunteer, thank you for making a difference,” said Cllr Beetge.
