Sand artists ‘digs deep’ during beach closure
The sand artist said he needs to earn a minimum of R120 per day to cover his food and accommodation costs.
DURBAN’S Wedge beach was a hive of activity as beach goers flocked to the shore on Tuesday, January 11. On the same day, the eThekwini Municipality re-opened several beaches along Durban’s coastline after E.coli levels led to the closure of several beaches last week.
A crowded Wedge Beach was a stark contrast to the proverbial ‘ghost towns’ of North Beach and Snake Park Beach where walkers were dotted along the promenade beyond the empty beaches. North Beach sand artist, Msizi Mzama told the Berea Mail that his business had taken a hit during the beach closures.
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“My business is running low when the beaches close. When I have customers, that’s how I get something to eat. When the beaches close. I don’t have customers,” he said.
Mzama’s impressive array of sculptures includes a Mercedes Bense, rhino, leopard and lion. He charges R40 to carve a message in the sand for a passerby or R20 to write their name in the Mercede’s number plate for a photo opp in the driver’s seat.
He said it took him two days to build his rhino sculpture out of sand.
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“It takes eight hours to complete one side. The Mercedes took four days to complete. Any contribution would be highly appreciated,” he concluded.
Ongoing sewage leaks led to several beach closures recently. On January 5, the City closed North Beach, Bay of Plenty Beach, Battery Beach, Country Club Beach, eThekwini Beach and Laguna Beach after murky water was spotted off the coast. While the City re-opened some beaches the following day, several beaches were closed again on January 7 when tests reflected E. coli in the water. This city has since reopened Point Beach, Ushaka Beach, Addington Beach, South Beach and Wedge Beach.
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