WHILE businesses and tourism enterprises were left smiling following the July weekend of activities that included the Vodacom Durban July and a host of pre and post parties and concerts in and around Durban, local residents, some as far away as Durban North suffered under the onslaught of noise which left them sleepless and disgruntled.
According to ward 27 councillor, Martin Meyer, this weekend was another challenging one for the area. Meyer said he and residents did not oppose the July activities because of the many benefits it has for the ward and the City, but the concern was how some organisers, business owners and officials seemed to think the City could only benefit through total disrespect for the rights of residents and the blatant violation of bylaws.
“With clubs claiming special rights, events at People’s Park on Saturday and Sunday until sunrise, everywhere more and more people are jumping on the bandwagon, trying to outdo the others in noise. Music and dancing and parties are now part of the July experience, but music is to be enjoyed by those in your venue, not 4km away. And the People’s Park concert could be heard even further away than that,” said Meyer.
A Morningside resident, Angela Kelly, said the noise from the stadium often keeps her awake.
“This weekend was unbearable. I get that it was Durban July weekend, but it went on into the early hours of the morning. Not just singing but shouting on a mic. It sounded like the DJ was in my bedroom!” she said.
Councillor Meyer said the city had to realise it could not ignore its own bylaws when it so chooses, as this did not benefit the city nor the economy.
“Normally you will have people say ‘oh, but it is only once a year,’ but the July is once a year, and the Hip Hop festival is once a year, Good Sundae is four or five times a year, and it all adds up until people’s peace is being disturbed almost every weekend of the year. I continue to call on the city to enforce its own bylaws, and to enforce the business license restrictions on the restaurants in Florida Road. There is but one night club in Florida Road, the others are illegal. The city should now act and enforce the law,” he said.
Nicky Burke, resident and chairperson of the Berea SCF Sector 2, contacted Berea Mail regarding a business in Florida Road which was given a permit to operate from noon on Thursday 30 June to 6am on Sunday 3 July. She was concerned that the municipality and police could allow this. “The noise was terrible. The business operated the whole weekend without any regard for the businesses and residents in the area. All the flats and businesses, especially the Benjamin Hotel, were negatively affected. The hotel had to accommodate guests elsewhere at their expense and lost guests because of the noise,” she said.
Burke said the noise continued into Sunday night and even after contacting licensing, Metro and SAPS, there was little they could do.
“It is really frustrating. I just don’t know how we repeatedly end up in this situation when the City clearly knows the impact of these type of events, especially in a parking lot. Where did they think the sound would go? I think these establishments are using these special event licenses to get away with murder, as nowhere on the license does it say that it gives them the right to disturb the peace,” she said.
She said the forum was going to have to call for a meeting with the city manager and get to the bottom of the issue, as it seemed the problem lay with the liquor board which was giving out licenses as and when they felt like it.
Brian Wright, Project Leader of the Florida Road UIP, said the UIP mandate was limited to that of partnering with the municipality to enhance the quality of experience and safety in public areas on Florida Road. He said the municipality was the authority for licensing and enforcement of activities on private property.
“The UIP has however raised the matter of businesses operating outside of license parameters with the municipality, this is a work in progress. At the same time it must be remembered that the Durban July is a very important event not just for the short-term financial benefit to Durban but the positioning of Durban as a vibrant event city which is critical for tourism and economic development which underpins the financial sustainability of our shared metro,” he said.
eThekwini head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said the city was well aware of the unhappiness of residents living in Morningside. “However City records show that the establishment in Florida Road did have a special events permit obtained from the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Authority. This allowed them extended sales hours for alcohol till 6am. In future, Metro Police will continue to monitor such situations closely,” she said, adding that residents are urged to continue reporting bylaw non-compliance to 031 361 0000 and Metro Police would respond accordingly.
