A look back at Toti’s 2016 [POLL]

Despite complaints regarding sewage, potholes, overgrown verges, noise, litter and zoning, the five major topics that garnered the most interest over 2016 in Amanzimtoti were the water shortage, Sakhithemba Halfway House, the proposed Illovo automotive industrial park, local government elections (LGE) and excessive rainfall which caused a huge sinkhole on the N2 southbound in July.

“Amanzimtoti’s big hole was more spoken about last year than the one in Kimberley,” said ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge in a wrap-up of the year that was 2016.

In January Nicolene du Toit and Reena Solomons initiated a water collection campaign that culminated in the successful ‘walk for water’ event at Huchison Park which was supported by schools, churches, community groups and individuals. The project succeeded in dispersing truckloads of water to drought-stricken areas across the country.

Political unrest swept through neighbouring areas in February, resulting in power outages and a seven-day water supply problem to some 200,000 households in Bhekulwandle, KwaMakhutha, Ezimbokodweni, Folweni and Adams Mission.

Water reserves destined for inland areas were dispersed with the assistance of local volunteers, including Winklespruit resident Mike Tegget.

In the same month, tempers flared as residents of Winklespruit Caravan Park received final eviction notices in lieu of future development. This ongoing process will eventually see the establishment of an upmarket eco-estate at the lower end of Oceanview Road.

The month drew to an end with a successful Cansa Shavathon over three days, marked by active involvement from Amanzimtoti Sports Centre (ASC), Against Substance Abuse, Masons, Lions, Round Table, Durban South Business Forum (DSBF), Mac’s Motorcycle Club, Bikers Against Drugs and individual efforts from residents like Sharon Ann and Errol Theron, resulting in a whopping R20,000 being paid over to the association.

March started much the same as February as the build-up to the municipal elections and factional political unrest in Folweni outside Amanzimtoti resulted in the burning and destruction of municipal building and equipment at a cost of several million rand to the ratepayers of eThekwini.

The first local government election (LGE) registration weekend of 5 and 6 March was marked by poor turnout locally as well as nationally. Rather attention was once again focused on the Sakhithemba halfway facility in Lower Illovo after it was again rumoured that people were being ‘dropped off’ – which was investigated and confirmed as being totally unsubstantiated.

The municipality confirmed that its water supply from bulk suppliers was being reduced by 15% and as such, an appeal was made to residents to reduce their use by 15%. Sadly, the use instead increased by 7%, thereby necessitating water restrictions.

Brown discolouration in the system a few days later confirmed high levels of magnesium and mud sludge entering the water system. As a result reservoirs were drained and chemically treated.

The proposed establishment of an Urban Improvement Precinct or rather Special Rating Area in Amanzimtoti became headline news, although apparently without proper public participation processes.

April saw the second LGE registration weekend take place and while people start arriving in notable numbers, it was still well below expectation.

In a night time raid, Metro Police swarmed Amanzimtoti, resulting in 26 arrests for various bylaw infringements. Court rolls were, however so full that virtually all were sent on their way with a mere slap on the wrist.

May saw a 24-hour downpour of rain last experienced in 1971, which resulted in 100 cubic metres of waste finding its way down river and onto the beaches. Despite damage to roads and stormwater, an Umlazi Business Forum held the city at ransom by threatening the lives of officials and personnel and all 25 roads and stormwater depots across the city refused to enter the suburbs. Drains remain clogged, sand uncollected and roads unrepaired.

Ultra distance walker Johan Nel arrived under escort from the motorcycle fraternity in Warner Beach after a 500km walk from Gauteng in aid of women and child abuse. A sum of R10,000 was raised at Charly’s Pub before he started his epic journey back.

A rather uneventful June rolled into July, with government announcing the confirmed purchase of 1,000 hectares of land from Illovo Sugar to establish an automotive industrial park under administration of Dube Trade Port, with Toyota as one of the major roleplayers.

The announcement was, however closely followed by the removal of KZN MEC for Economic Developmemt and Tourism, Michael Mabuyakhulu and the appointment of ANC provincial chairman, Zihle Zikalala to the portfolio. No further information on the project has since been made public.

More than 400mm of rain fell in Toti in July, a deluge not experienced since 1987. It gushed through town, tearing up roads and railway lines, washing away embankments and retainer walls, trapping children in schools, and flooding business and residential premises when stormwater systems proved unable to handle the massive volumes.

A washaway at Mayville Terrace, Tiger Rocks Road in Isipingo and 706 Kingsway stood as stark reminders of the might of Mother Nature, yet paling in comparison to the devastation of the railway lines and the N2 southbound carraigeway near the Adams Road exit.

Despite the magnitude of the washaways, it took persuasion from regional media and ‘harassment’ to convince the city manager and mayor to sign off on repairs two months later.

Amid mudslides, washaways, holes in the N2 and other challenges, the LGE took place at the start of August with a record number of participants turning out to the polls in ward 97.

While repairs continued, albeit slower than expectated, a heritage route was launched in Illanda Wilds on Heritage Day with Sapphire Coast Tourism, DSBF and ASC alongside traditional leadership as part of the 100-year existence of the Zulu nation.

It will aim to link the urban with the rural area in a quest for cultural pollination. The Amanzimtoti night run that followed the launch, under the stewardship of Catherine Middleton from Hutchison Park through Illanda Wilds, marked the maiden event of the exercise.

Despite the clarion call, residents responded poorly to the November ward committee elections, resulting in 10 people being elected by a mere 33 of potential thousands registered for the LGE a few months ago.

“And just like that, we were through the year,” said Cllr Beetge.

“Fortunately the dreaded sinkhole was fixed in time to welcome the holidaymakers to our shores and Amanzimtoti enjoyed a quiet and peaceful Christmas and New Year.”

Please take part in the POLL below, we’d love to hear what your wish is for Toti in 2017:

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