Offensive sign is historical artifact, says city
Councillor Martin Meyer feels the name of the sub-station at Laguna beach, which exists from the apartheid era, should be changed.
AN existing sign at the Durban Beachfront has shocked a local ward councillor.
According to Martin Meyer, he did an oversight visit to Laguna Beach last week and discovered a sign on an electricity box that still refers to the beach as the ‘African Bathing Beach’.
“I find it hard to believe that 21 years into our democracy, this has not yet been rectified,” he said.
Meyer said he felt the offending name should be removed and replaced with a more appropriate name. He suggested an information board educating people of the history of segregated beaches be erected, to celebrate the de-segregation of Durban’s beaches.
“This might be an opportunity to use this to educate residents and tourists alike about our tragic history and our remarkable road to freedom. In a time where social cohesion and building a united future is receiving rightful focus in the city, I do believe it is time for us to find new ways forward. We cannot have signs like this, that belong to our dark past anywhere in our city,” said Meyer.
eThekwini Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa, however said the sign was a historical artifact, similar to the statues erected during the apartheid regime. “These have been allowed to remain to remind us of the road we have travelled as a country,” she said.
