McConnells bid Scottburgh farewell
The couple has worked on the beach on a daily basis for many years.
Mick and Jan McConnell, owners of a popular business on Scottburgh beach, retired at the end of July and will be moving to Cape Town at the end of the month.
Their departure is expected to be a sad one for Scottburgh, after so many years of caring for the residents and holidaymakers.
Mick was born in Scottburgh and attended both Scottburgh primary and high schools before joining the Scottburgh Municipality in 1974 to work on the Scottburgh beach as a professional life guard. During his years of schooling, Mick was a keen surfer and swimmer, a very successful fisherman and loyal member of the Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club.
When Mick Sadler left Scottburgh for the Wild Coast Sun, Mick McConnell was promoted to Scottburgh beach manager, a position that he filled so successfully for more than 10 years, until he was boarded after injuring his back on duty. For the past 60 odd years, Mick started most mornings by fishing on a ski, surfing or swimming around the point rocks.
Jan, born and educated in Gauteng, moved down to Scottburgh and she and Mick were married in 1983. A qualified teacher, she taught hundreds of children at Hill Top Pre-Primary, Scottburgh Pre-Primary, Scottburgh and Umkomaas Primary schools and Scottburgh High. Jan retired from teaching when she and Mick opened their popular business. Through the years, Jan has done excellent work counselling and caring for the needy in the community.
The McConnells have worked on the beach on a daily basis providing refreshments, beach gear, umbrellas, gazebos and deck chairs to holidaymakers, but that is only the beginning of what they have meant to the community.
The two of them have on their own, and together with organisations like Proudly Scottburgh and Keep Scottburgh Beautiful, improved conditions on the beach for holidaymakers and residents alike by keeping the grass banks neat and tidy, employing security guards who ensure that bylaws are adhered to, clean (together with their staff members) the passages and steps at the beach and ensure that toilet facilities are as respectable as possible.
The lifesaving club, on behalf of the Scottburgh community, thanks the McConnells for all they’ve done and wished them a happy retirement with good health.
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