The festive season in Amanzimtoti was something of an anti-climax compared to previous years. Ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge said this can be attributed to an array of reasons from a poor economic climate reducing expendable income, increased unemployment and retrenchments, uncertainty about the future with an increased awareness of saving, while irregular inland weather patterns leading up to the festive season also to blame.
“The persistent rain played havoc, rendering our biggest attraction, the beaches, closed until after 16 December, resulting in cancellations as holidaymakers appeared uncertain in their return on investment. The effect being evident in discussions with proprietors within the hospitality industry who paint a rather bleak picture of 20% plus reduction in expected turnover.
“As much as an influx of visitors might upset our normal routine, the reality is our town’s economy is very much reliant on tourism and similar repeats on a reduction in traditional domestic support could well signal the closure of certain doors.”
But often when one door closes, another opens with an increase of day tourists, especially from the afternoon into evening on all days from 26 December to 6 January. “As people flocked to picnic in our public open spaces, to cool off in the surf along our beautiful beaches or recreate with family and friends in the public parking areas after the beaches were full, the unsung heroes were our law enforcement cluster, specifically Metro Police and aquatic safety.”
READ ALSO: CCPO enjoys quiet festive season
All beaches, including parking areas, with the exception of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, were closed and cleared out by no later than 9.30pm.
“Certainly there is enough to complain about and no doubt the government of the day wins first prize every time, but then again it is all a matter of either seeing the glass half full or half empty and our history will reflect that we are a nation that is able to improvise, adjust and above all survive in the face of exorbitant challenges.
“Despite what may come across our path, this is our home and possibly different from so many who choose rather to complain, I’m willing to throw my weight behind those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, who are not going to be dragged down, who are not in wait of a government that clearly doesn’t have everyone’s best interests at heart.
“As we enter 2020 I ask that we effect a change in mindset, so that more people see their way open to transforming our town into an even better haven for all – that more give of their time towards a ‘we’ and not an ‘I’ society, as like it or not we are all in this together and if we aren’t prepared to make an effort towards improving our and our children’s future, why would we expect anyone else to do it either? May 2020 not only be the start of a new decade, but a new beginning!”
READ ALSO: Haul of arrests over festive season within Outer South cluster
Beaches
A total of 1 733 769 people used beach amenities between 4 December and 5 January, with 595 698 choosing to enter the water and 191 500 still either on the beaches or adjacent areas after nightfall. With 127 rescues, 716 cases requiring minor first aid and only five referred to hospital, huge accolades to acting beach manager, Jace Govender and his team that there was not one single drowning.
Beach safety
Lifeguards under supervision of Govender and senior lifeguard Peacemaker Mthethwa did a sterling job resulting in no drownings at any of the district 5 beaches. Lifeguards started clearing people off the beaches soon after midnight on 1 January, whereafter they started collecting spent firecrackers and other items off the beach in preparation for easier cleaning at sunrise. The same lifeguards, who did not return home, but spent the night in Toti, were at their posts after only a brief rest, insisting that they wanted to assist with the anticipated numbers normally associated with New Year’s Day.
Driver and supervisor Makhotso Thabete and clerk Nontokozo Shezi, who took ownership of lost or separated children, drove from beach to beach to ensure that all children were removed, transported to Toti, phone calls made and waited until they were united with their parents, in the process alleviating any children to be taken to Durban for overnight.
Tragic event
Unfortunately there was one life lost on the beach, that os a 14-year-old boy who suffered an epileptic fit and collapsed at Toti North Beach and was declared dead on scene. “Our condolences to the family on their loss.”
SAPS
Beetge, who acted as coordinator of the Fesmac security cluster, confirmed that no stabbings, no assault GBH, no rape cases and no carjackings were reported at any of the beaches within the jurisdiction of Amanzimtoti SAPS. One vehicle that was reported stolen was recovered within the first hour by the SAPS reaction unit working in conjunction with the tracking company. Shoplifting showed a slight increase over the same period in 2018.
“A lower number of general theft cases were reported, although with an increase in number of unattended bags being stolen on the beaches, which is an unfortunate reality of people taking a relaxed approach which opens a door of opportunity to criminal elements. One suspect was arrested on Beach Road after an attempted robbery and the knife used to threaten the victim was recovered as evidence.”
Metro Police
The Metro Police component under command of Supt Andre Grobler included patrols along beachs and suburban areas, access control to beach areas (when required), the control of alcohol into beach areas and assisting with the closure and evacuation of beaches at the appropriate hour and in line with the bylaws. “While there were several reports of arrogance towards Metro police when situations necessitated intervention, there appeared a degree of co-operation not previously experienced from crowds, which could be attributed to the enhanced alcohol control.”
Security overview
“While there has been, nor will there ever be, enough police officers to be deployed everywhere and observe and react to every single infringement, we have undoubtedly come out of possibly the best controlled and managed festive season with the least number of incidents across the board. While much can be said for some individuals who continue to have total disregard for the law, and while education towards reduction and disposal of litter requires extensive attention, crowds in general were better behaved and susceptible to instruction from officials and law enforcement structures.
“It was disappointing that the Municipal Law Enforcement component declared a wage dispute just before the season started, which resulted in a near non-participation by officers in attending planning meetings, availability to assist in routine matters, availing statistics or strengthening the hand of other departments. The void was, however, successfully filled by Metro Police with minimal impact on the larger programme.”
Private security cluster
Beetge offered a word of appreciation to the private security cluster that continued in their prompt reaction to complaints and reports within the suburban areas during this period where the mandated law enforcement authorities had to concentrate their efforts towards visiting crowds.
Cleaning
Even with exceptional low absenteeism, officials started at 6am every morning, with beaches and adjacent areas acceptably cleared by no later than 10am. An incredible 1 059 982 bags of litter were collected and transported by a staff compliment of 74, often in blistering sun and exceptionally high humidity.
DSW officials cleared the streets in staggered shifts from the crack of dawn and domestic refuse removal, although increased from holiday letting and school holidays to the point of reaching an average of 135 ton over a seven-day period, continued uninterrupted throughout the season.
“While clearing of bathing beaches, beach parking areas and public open space in preparation of the day’s influx took preference, cleaning staff were there after deployed to continue clearing and cleaning storm-related debris and litter from non-bathing beaches that we calculated as part of the million-plus bags of litter collected and transported for disposal into the landfill site.
Special mention needs to be made of beach driver and supervisor Justice Ngcobo and acting senior beach driver and supervisor Makhotso Thabete who worked throughout the entire season without any absenteeism or complaint while overseeing staff and moving bags to collection points.”
Call centre
Although Monday morning, 6 January marked the start of the first verge cutting cycle, in turn creating an expectation of new beginnings, there remains the dark cloud of the eThekwini call centre number 080-311-1111 that’s been dysfunctional since the start of the new year, making it virtually impossible to report water and electricity faults. Residents are advised to use the water Whatsapp number 073-148-3477 or Eservices@durban.gov.za to report water, sewage and related matters and to direct electricity-related outages to custocare@elec.durban.gov.za or until further notice 031-311-9439 between 8am and 3pm on weekdays only.
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