Civic group hopeful of Warner Beach’s potential
Roleplayers collaborated to discuss a clean-up.
ETHEKWINI Municipality recognises the fabulous potential of the greater Warner Beach area, according to community group, My Sapphire CommUnity (MSC).
“Plans to establish this beautiful part of the world as a sport and leisure lover’s paradise, an eco-holiday and tourist destination are waiting to be rolled out,” said MSC’s Glynis Rathbone.
MSC, a newly formed group, aims to grow tourism, social cohesion and economic prosperity along the Sapphire Coast.
On Tuesday, 25 August MSC members met with officials of eThekwini, PRASA, Cllr Andre Beetge and contractors who are responsible for providing cleaning services along Andrew Zondo Road in Warner Beach.
“MSC has been frustrated in their efforts to unlock the area’s tourism potential due to the large amounts of litter, unsanitary conditions, overgrown vegetation (much of it alien), and the perceived and actual risk to personal safety along the seaside stretch of Andrew Zondo Road.”
The various roleplayers walked along the commercial strip and accessed the beach over the railway bridge at Warner Beach station. Vast quantities of litter and alien vegetation was evident and the roleplayers collaborated to discuss a clean-up campaign.
“The lovely natural environment towards the sea and the views and vistas of the Indian Ocean are valuable assets which must be nurtured and celebrated, so that the development vision of Warner Beach can be achieved.
Recently two visitors from Switzerland were robbed at knifepoint on the beach. During an inspection of the beach access points several makeshift homes were found in the coastal bush and under the railway bridge. We have asked SAPS and Metro Police to patrol this area to make it safe for visitors, and to ensure by-laws are not infringed.”
“Working in collaboration with Winklespruit Surf Lifesaving Club we recently held a My Sapphire CommUnity beach walk. The walk from Winklespruit Beach to Warner Beach is set to become an annual fixture each Youth Day, which we hope will become as successful as the Mutt Strutt held on one of the world’s most famous beaches, at Daytona in the USA.”
“In planning the beach walk, it was originally our intention for people to walk along the beach from Winklespruit, through the underpass at the end of Ellcock Road, and from there they could walk along the pavements through Warner Beach. The views of the Indian Ocean are a delight and one that visitors should be able to enjoy. We wanted to bring foot traffic to the area and give local businesses an opportunity to benefit from the event.”
Glynis hopes that one day pavement cafes, interesting boutiques, bars and restaurants will develop along Andrew Zondo Road, thereby stimulating the economy and creating much-needed jobs. “This is not going to happen until proper services are provided to our neighbourhood to make it attractive to investors.”
MSC has requested eThekwini Municipality’s economic development unit to address the community on the status of the Warner Beach Strategic Intervention and Urban Design Framework. “The roll out of this initiative is imperative to drive economic growth and sorely needed job creation.”
A further meeting with all roleplayers required for the clean-up campaign will be held soon. For more details visit My Sapphire Community on Facebook.
