Uncertainty over uMhlanga beaches turns visitors away
Tourism body says visitor confidence has been shaken by the uncertainty over whether uMhlanga’s beaches are open or closed.
IT was yet another disappointing week in the lead-up to the July holidays as two of uMhlanga’s swimming beaches (Bronze Beach and Main Beach) remain closed until Sunday, July 2.
Initially, the beaches were closed due to a pump failure at the Portland Drive sewage pump station, however, they were reopened last Tuesday.
Heavy rains then lashed parts of the province, and just hours later, the beaches were closed yet again due to high E. coli readings.
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The closures have had a negative impact on tourism and business in the area with only a few people enjoying time on uMhlanga’s beaches this past week.
Chairperson of Umhlanga Tourism Association Duncan Heafield said it was visible for all to see the effect on tourism.
“All you needed to do last week was come down to the village and the beaches, and it was clear to see how quiet it was. Holidaymakers have chosen alternate destinations, and it is a result of the beach closures. uMhlanga has always been classified as one of the tourism jewels, but you wouldn’t say that looking at our beaches.
“To an extent, some of the impact from this past weekend was mitigated by the fact that it was the Durban July. However, that means the people coming down were here for those events specifically and not here longer to make use of the beach and our local businesses,” he said.
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Ward councillor Nicole Bollman echoed Heafield’s thoughts.
“The instability that leads to the opening and closing of uMhlanga’s beaches is playing on the confidence of holidaymakers. So while I’m happy to see the beaches reopened, it would be remiss to mention the impact these closures have on the tourism industry which also relies on the holiday trade. It does feel like Groundhog Day because whenever there is a long weekend or holiday, the topic of uMhlanga’s beaches comes up,” she said.
Public has their say
Northglen News also spoke to residents and visitors about the closures and how they feel it’s impacted them.
“It is a concerning situation seeing the beaches closed due to E. coli levels. It is also a concern for marine life and the corals along the uMhlanga coastline. The crux of it is that this isn’t just a sad situation for the area but for South Africa as a whole. Our local tourists don’t come to uMhlanga anymore, and this means businesses are losing out economically. It is just a sad situation.”
“We always come down to uMhlanga for the sea. We actually swam for days without knowing the beaches are closed. My family is fine, and we haven’t shown any symptoms of being sick. I just feel the decision should be left up to us to swim at our own risk. The closure won’t deter me from returning. I think the closures speak to a bigger problem of maintenance of the different pump stations, and the municipality should put in contingency plans to avoid having to close the beach.”
“The whole reason why we as a family come to uMhlanga is the beach. It’s safe, and there is plenty to do. Before leaving [Joburg], we had read about the closure but also that the pump station was being repaired. Knowing now about the beach being closed again makes me think I’d rather go somewhere else. In fact, the last two times I’ve come down, the beaches have been closed. We normally go down the South Coast, but we chose uMhlanga because of all the positives. We may look elsewhere in future because of the E. coli issues.”
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