ONE MORE beautiful mural celebrating the Sapphire Coast has recently been unveiled by Sapphire Coast Tourism.

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Sapphire Coast Tourism’s Romy Wenzel encouraged residents and passersby to keep an eye out for the mural on the route to Illovo Beach.

Christine Andrews, a local artist responsible for countless iconic Amanzimtoti murals, worked her magic once again, with the latest artwork paying homage to the coastal town’s offerings, from camping and caravanning, to beach life, fishing and the Illovo Nursery.

Wenzel added that the wall on the opposite side will be completed before the start of the holiday season.

Councillor provides historical context

Ward 97 councillor André Beetge delved into the history behind the Sapphire Coast’s iconic blue bridges.

“For residents and visitors travelling along the Sapphire Coast, the blue bridges and colourful painted walls have become a familiar and much-loved sight. What was once ordinary municipal/public infrastructure has been transformed into vibrant canvases, giving the region a distinctive visual identity. Yet few people know the story behind the initiative, which began around 2009 with a father, his young daughter and a neglected bridge in Subway, Warner Beach,” said Beetge.

His daughter was then a toddler attending Tecoma Pre-Primary School in Warner Beach. As a special Friday treat, he would occasionally take her to school on the back of his motorcycle.

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“It was during one of these trips that I passed the Hoot Bridge in Subway and noticed its neglected condition. Rather than simply lament its appearance, I began thinking about how the appearance of all the bridges could be improved. I took the proposal to the Sapphire Coast Tourism committee. Unfortunately the idea was rejected and the proposal was shelved. A second chance came after I became a councillor in 2011, when the association’s Kim McCarthy, suggested that we revisit the proposal,” said Beetge.

The bridges were transformed into blue canvases, and the difference was immediately noticeable.

“Rather than stopping at a uniform coat of blue paint and a tourism logo, the idea emerged to introduce decorative shapes and designs onto the walls. Some of the first people approached to assist were graffiti artists themselves. Their involvement helped redirect their artistic talents towards something constructive, giving them an opportunity to contribute to the appearance of the town.

The involvement of local artists then gave the project a life of its own and it spread across the Sapphire Coast, creating a distinctive identity.

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