‘Cinderella’ beaches to get some attention

Bluffite, Will Bendix is appalled by the decay of the local beaches, especially Brighton and Treasure beaches and has submitted photos to the municipality and local organisations. “These beaches are in a constant state that varies from dirty to extremely polluted. A corpse of a dead animal lay decomposing on the beach for ages and there have been others like this.” Will said he has raised the issue with the relevant municipal departments over the last few months, but there appears to be a lack of resources to tackle the problem.

Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries Department district manager, Jabulani Mdiniso said the beaches in question are regularly cleaned by a staff of about 10. “The cleaning is therefore an ongoing process, but it is a long stretch of beach to maintain. Furthermore, I would like to point out the challenge of beaches adjacent to the Umlazi river mouth. This runs past several extensive informal settlements and every rain will bring down the entire garbage load from these catchment areas.”

Ward 66 councillor, Duncan Du Bois said he is pleased that the “recent and fully justified criticisms of the condition and state of the Bluff’s beaches” has resulted in a crew of 20 extended public works programme employees being dispatched to the area from Monday, 16 September, for the next six months to maintain the beaches. “Finally our beaches are to receive appropriate attention instead of languishing under ‘Cinderella’ conditions.”

The beach clean-up on Saturday, 14 September was an initial step in resolving the problem, though the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa) believes more action is needed. “Beach clean-up days are all well and good, but they are really symbolic gestures. Keeping our coastline should be a daily activity. Wessa’s National Coastal Programme has not been active in eThekwini. However, as of 1 November, the area will have four pilot blue flag beaches, which means that we will become more involved in the area. In the interim I will commit one of my conservation staff to the area, where he will begin by investigating the cause of the pollution,” said Ted Knott, Wessa National Coastal Projects manager. – erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za