Toti’s festive season plan kicks off

Amanzimtoti welcomes holidaymakers to the Sapphire Coast shores for their annual festive season vacation.

The season officially kicks off with the Sapphire Coast Tourism and Durban South Business Forum’s promenade market that takes place on Saturday, 10 December from 4pm to 9pm.

Lights on Toti’s gigantic Christmas tree, arguably the largest in KZN, if not SA, which is situated at the amphitheatre next to the lagoon will be switched on at sunset the same evening and locals and visitors are invited to witness the spectacle.

“The municipality, local establishments and residents will once again be going out of their way to make our visitors feel welcome, yet a request that we all take note of the following information,” said ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge.

Aquatic safety – 031-322-9043

The following beaches will be open for bathing from 6am to 6pm, seven days a week: Umgababa, Winklespruit, Warner Beach, Toti main beach, Pipeline Beach and Reunion Beach.

The following beaches will be patrolled by seasonal lifeguards between the hours of 8am and 5pm, but no bathing is allowed: Umbogintwini River mouth, Twini Beach, Tiger Rocks, Baggies Beach and Subway Beach.

The fresh water swimming pool at Pipeline and saltwater pools at Inyoni rocks (Toti main beach) and Winklespruit will be open from 6am to 6pm. Authorities, however reserve the right of closure to necessitate cleaning in the interest of health and water quality regulations.

For drownings or near drownings only, call the 24-hour line 074-562-4888.

Separated children – 031-322-9043

Wrist bands will only be available for young children at Amanzimtoti main beach and Umgababa beach. Child minders are employed to take care of separated children. Children not reunited with their parents by 6pm will be taken to an overnight facility in Durban central.

The same will apply other beaches where lifeguards will apply short-term management of separated children until 6pm and their removal to Durban central.

Beach cleaning – 031-322-9043

Additional refuse bins have been accommodated for all beaches and open recreation areas. While staff will work in two shifts between 6am to 6pm to clean beaches, an appeal is made to everyone to use and manage waste to accommodate for faster and effective cleaning.

Beach law enforcement – 031-322-9034

The number of law enforcement officers has been enlarged with the deployment of additional security officers at Isipingo River mouth, Pipeline, Toti main beach, Toti beach chain access, Warner Beach, Winklespruit and Umgababa Beach.

An additional 20 security officers will be deployed on 16, 24, 25, 26 and 31 December, and 1 and 2 January.

Durban Solid Waste – 080-131-3013

Skips are being placed in strategic places and service intervals increased to every second day in addition to the 150 refuse drums on beaches and in public open spaces.

Metro Police – 031-631-0000

The permit system to control access to Beach Road will once again be implemented and administered from the container at the corner of Beach and Carlyle roads. Residents are to produce their utilities bill and tourists will need to provide proof of booking to secure permits that will allow them access to Beach Road if it becomes necessary to close or restrict access.

Note that the roads will not be closed unless the situation becomes of such that law enforcement authorities deem it necessary, at which time producing a permit would become necessary.

Static points, as well as roaming vehicles, will be deployed across the larger area with officers working in shifts.

South African Police Services – 10111 or 031-913-1308

Additional members will be deployed to include recently graduated constables with foot patrols, static points, motorcycle patrols (both road and beach), crime prevention units and visible police patrols.

Operations to be conducted in co-operation with Metro Police with members working in shifts to ensure adequate deployment.

KZN Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) – 031-916-4588

Operating from Winklespruit, the RTI will concentrate on offences along the N2 and other main arterial routes between the coast and inland.

Emergency services (fire) – 031-361-0000

Members in a dedicated shift pattern to accommodate fire services.

Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS – ambulance) – 10177

Members in a dedicated shift pattern to accommodate fire services.

Private law enforcement support industry – 086-103-1111

Both private law enforcement and private medical services will work in close liaison and communication with municipal, provincial and national-mandated authorities to patrol hot spots and residential areas

Sapphire Coast beach programme – 031-322-2852

Daily on Amanzimtoti main beach and promenade. For more information, visit www.sapphirecoasttourism.co.za.

Fireworks – 10111 or 031-361-000

Note that in terms of the municipal bylaws and Explosives Act, the use of fireworks is prohibited except between the hours of 11.30pm and 12.15am on New Year’s Eve, however consider our animal friends when discharging fireworks.

“An increase in beach usage is expected, as half of Umgababa Beach remains closed while an Olympic-size swimming pool is being installed,” said Cllr Beetge. “The traditional Umgababa 24-hour New Year’s festival will be hosted at Mnini sport grounds this year which will result in increased traffic flow between Winklespruit, Umbumbulu and Umgababa areas.

Lights will remain on at all recreational areas to afford security services better night time visibility.

We hope everyone has a safe and peaceful festive season in Amanzimtoti.”