THE uMhlanga and neighbouring Durban beaches were swamped with thousands of local and visiting beach-goers over the festive season.
While the beaches were packed to capacity, Peter Rose, the chairman of Umhlanga Tourism, said the crowds were generally well behaved. “The beaches were incredibly crowded, but no fights or drownings were reported. Although there were a few rescues the lifeguards had done an exceptional job,” he said.
This was a stark contrast to the chaos that followed the collapse of a sand bank on Wedge Beach due to an incoming high tide. A mass rescue of approximately 150 people had to be carried out. One person died at the scene.
Rose added that there had been more people on the beaches than he “had ever seen before”. He was also pleasantly surprised by the hardy and determined revellers who braved the rain on New Year’s Eve. “Some people were huddled in the rain on the beach and all along uMhlanga. It was remarkable,” he said.
Between Christmas Eve and Sunday, 28 December more than 500 000 people visited various beaches around the Municipal area, said eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Head, Tozi Mthethwa on Monday.
Furthermore, Rose was shocked that hundreds of holidaymakers had taken the seven-hour trip to uMhlanga without booking accommodation. “It was unbelievable. Our phones were ringing off the hook with people desperate for accommodation,” he said.
The Municipality expects that more people will arrive in the city and have advised beach-goers to only swim within the designated areas and to co-operate with lifeguards while enjoying the sun and surf.
“The beachfront is there for everyone to enjoy. Beach-goers are advised to adhere to all the rules and by-laws of the City to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season for all,” said Mthethwa.
