Joy as uMhlanga beaches reopen

SEVERAL beaches along the KZN north coast reopened last week, much to the delight of the hospitality industry.

Beaches north of the Umgeni River were closed for more than 90 days due to a toxic chemical spill from the United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) warehouse in Cornubia.

The warehouse was set on fire during the KZN unrest and led to an environmental disaster and the closure of beaches.

Restaurants along the uMhlanga Promenade were also hard hit by closures, with locals and visitors avoiding the area and opting for alternatives down the KZN south coast.

Nicole Olivier, owner of La Spiaggia, one of the restaurants on the promenade, said she noticed an upturn in business activity since the decision to reopen the beaches was made.

“The differences are stark. There’s more people on the beach and on the promenade and there is life back in our businesses. uMhlanga is back. I’ve certainly noticed an upturn in how busy the restaurant is and our takeaways section. The majority of our clientele is locals and they’ve been magnificent in giving us the boost and support we so need. In the lead-up to the festive season, it’s great to have the beaches accessible to all again. I don’t think they would’ve opened the beaches unless they were 100% sure it was safe to do so,” Olivier said.

The decision to reopen the beaches follows the recommendations of a peer review of the specialists’ report on the safety of the beaches.

The report recommended beaches be reopened for recreational purposes, but that an exclusion zone of one kilometre north and south of the uMhlanga estuary mouth, and one kilometre out to sea, in which all activities remain prohibited, should be maintained.