AMANZIMTOTI Main Beach once held the acclaimed Blue Flag status, meaning it met the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa’s (WESSA) standards for water cleanliness and environmental standards. But that was before the April 2022 floods.

Also read: Swim at your own risk at eThekwini beaches

Since then, the beach has been one of several on the South Coast that have repeatedly opened and closed because of E. coli contamination, which is caused by raw sewage flowing into the ocean. As the South Coast continues to grapple with the problem, the eThekwini Municipality has been upbeat about the number of tourists to these shores, as reflected in its projections. eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda is on record saying the City expects around 800 000 tourists during the festive season.

“We have worked hard to ensure that residents and visitors will have a wonderful stay in Durban. The hotel occupancy rate is anticipated to be 75% compared to the 57% achieved last year. In anticipation of the influx of holidaymakers, the city has employed seasonal staff to increase the number of lifeguards, waste pickers, and childminders on the beaches. The police are also being deployed to all areas that have been identified as hotspots,” said Kaunda.

Hospitality organisations, however, have said the unresolved sewage issue and closure of beaches is going to hurt tourism because the region’s ocean is the major drawcard. Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) chairperson Brett Tungay said the closing of prime tourist beaches has dealt a huge blow to hospitality businesses and tour operators.

“It comes at a time when they rely on the influx of tourists to bolster their businesses. The closure of these beaches sends ripples throughout our broader economy, affecting jobs and local communities. We cannot afford to miss the economic opportunities this season traditionally brings,” said Tungay.

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