A devastating freak wave and a lease agreement in limbo have left the doors of Mariners Seafood Restaurant at Marina beach shut.
It’s a bleak situation. On a warm spring day the popular Blue Flag beach is abuzz with holidaymakers enjoying the idyllic weather and warm sea temperatures.
A stone’s throw away from the restaurant, owners Kevin Feinberg and Jon Caple together with some 30 staff have gathered with placards in a ‘plea for help.’
Caple said they are politely asking all stakeholders, including Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), to engage with them so they can rebuild the restaurant before the festive season. Currently 40 jobs are on the line, with a further 25 extra staff hired over the December period likely to miss out.
“Even if it’s a short term lease we just need to know where we stand with all stakeholders before we reinvest. All these visitors on the beach right now can’t even get a glass of water. The ripple effect of this situation is detrimental to the restaurant staff, locals selling lemons, avocados and beachwear, and taxi drivers, but also to tourism and the municipality,” said Caple.
Currently on a month-to-month contract, Caple said they have not received one phone call from the municipality in weeks.
“We can’t resolve this problem on our own, we need input from RNM. We are willing to sit around the table and discuss a way forward, so we can provide a service during the festive season,” he said.
Caple said they have had to pay for security to safeguard the restaurant 24/7 as vagrants will more than likely strip the building and steal what is left.
“The other issue is the sewage tank which has filled up with water, it needs to be emptied before it overflows onto the beach.”
The biggest concern that if nothing is done quickly, is that the iconic Mariners will become a derelict building on a Blue Flag beach. And, the dilapidated shell of Sharks’ Den Restaurant on Port Shepstone beachfront comes to mind.
WHERE MEMORIES ARE MADE
The chairperson of the Marina Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association’s, Leon de Jager said Marina beach has retained its Blue Flag status for 21 consecutive years, which is a milestone achievement.
“Marina beach was the first in the country to achieve its Blue Flag status, and it’s now important that we find an interim plan to resolve these issues.”
“Mariners is more than just a restaurant, it’s an institution. It’s an iconic place filled with history and wonderful memories. Marina beach is where children who grew up spending their holidays on the beach, are now bringing their children back to enjoy the beautiful swimming beach,” said De Jager.
SITTING AT HOME
Head chef Cedrick Mhlongo (30) who has worked at Mariners for four years said his job provides for his family who depends on him.
“We are not fighting with the stakeholders but we are desperate! This is a plea for help; we are asking the municipality to come to the table and negotiate a way forward. We can’t sit at home waiting for RNM to reply,” he said.
RNM RESPONDS
RNM spokesperson Simon April said the municipality sympathises with all who were affected by the huge wave including employees who may have lost income because of the damage caused by it.
April said on the issue of Mariners Seafood Restaurant, and the damages to the structure as a result of the huge wave, the municipality did indicate to the tenant that the restaurant is insured by the municipality.
“We did forward the form and requested it to be submitted with all the necessary information back to the municipality so that the claim can be submitted to the municipality’s insurers,” he said.
April said that on the issue of the lease agreement, the municipality is guided by the Local Government Municipal Finance Management Act and going against it, is tantamount to maladministration hence all the necessary processes have to be accordingly followed, irrespective of the circumstances.
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