Happy new year … let’s hope

Water issues have plagued the South Coast again since the start of the December holidays, which is massively disappointing.

Yes, there may have been some improvement south of Port Shepstone, but from Umtentweni northwards it’s been a disaster.

The sight of people standing in queues to get water on Christmas Day… no, this cannot continue.

Ugu simply has to get this under control. Locals are beyond fed up and holidaymakers deserve better.

Then there’s the issue of polluted lagoons and rivers. The average man in the street does not care about ‘why’. He simply wants to take his visiting family for a swim.

This all pales in comparison however when you think about what the McKenna and Julyan families are going through at the moment.

The memorial service for the four murdered family members took place last Saturday.

Investigations by police continue and the Herald will follow the story closely.

It’s probably too soon to tell if, overall, it’s been a better season than last year. Or less bad perhaps.

If you’re on holiday reading our paper, I promise you our local business people are desperate to see the region thriving again … they really care.

There is still reason to believe and hope as we reflect on another year that’s gone by.

We live in a beautiful region and we have resilient people.

Looking ahead, it’s time to wish everyone a happy new year.

Good luck with your new year resolutions, which could, like the writer’s, involve eating a little less and exercising a little more.