Looking back on South Coast history: September 16 to 18
This was a memorable week in that no one complained to the press about the roads or the electricity supply, but someone pinched the South Coast's coal.
SOME of the dreams of 50 years ago, never did come true.
September 16
1966
“THE Marburg Flying Club points out that, although Port Shepstone is recognised as the commercial, educational and medical centre of the South Coast, no flying facilities are available.”
BUT others did. “The chief construction engineer put the last rivet in the Umtamvuna bridge.”
“RICH black oil gushing out of the ground could not have been of more value than a borehole pumping water to the residents of the densely populated Bhobhoyi area.”
1988
IT was announced that Phase 1 of the anticipated beach development for Port Shepstone was to go ahead.
“THE four young canoeists who are trying to make history by navigating the Mzimkhulu from Mzimkhulu village to the river’s mouth were hopeful – according to a message dated Tuesday – of reaching their goal today or early tomorrow (Saturday).”1965
LOCAL politics continued in its amalgamation dilemma. TJA Gerdener, Administrator of Natal, was very clear about it. “Theproblem facing the whole coast of Natal today is the large number of local authorities in the area. I need hardly go into reasons why this type of development is unhealthy. It means tremendous duplication of overheads, available services and personnel.”1965
IT would be a year before it was completed but… “On Friday last week, just in time for the administrator’s visit, the last girders were lowered into place on the new R535 000 Umtamvuna river bridge.”1976
ELEVEN years down the line, local politics hadn’t changed much. “The United Party is faced with its biggest local crisis as many former stalwarts defect over the amalgamation issue.”September 18
1964
COAL was in short supply and the cause was clear: “The shortage arose through the annexation by the railways of trucks destined for Port Shepstone for their own requirements.”
1981
AND housing continued to be a problem. “More than 80 coloured families have petitioned the Deparment of Community Development to allow them to build their own homes in the new Merlewood area set aside for coloured housing.”
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