Mayor Cyril Xaba of eThekwini Municipality was on a beach walkabout on Wednesday December the 16th interacting with beach goers who were taking advantage of the summer weather to celebrate this year’s Day of Reconciliation. Durban beach fronts has born witness to the largest crowd since the beginning of December.
Xaba is confident that Durban will attract over 1 300 000 visitors during the festive season. Speaking during the walkabout, he said he was satisfied with the high visibility of police patrolling entertainment areas across the city, with some officers deployed on horseback and bicycles. He encouraged holidaymakers visiting the beach to co-operate with lifeguards and police by refraining from consuming alcohol before entering the water, as this could lead to drownings. “I am happy that, so far, people are behaving responsibly, and there have been no major incidents reported,” said Xaba. He added that with all 23 bathing beaches open, the city expects the number of beachgoers to increase on December 26 and 31, as well as on January 1.
“The increase in visitor numbers at the beach also boosts local businesses, particularly restaurants and informal traders. Hotels have indicated that they expect higher occupancy rates compared to last year,” Xaba added.
The holiday periods for the municipality and local catering businesses are always the busiest times of the year. Locals have to juggle responsibilities with the influx of home tourists and beach goers. It is fortunate that the police force is managing the crowd and being a buffer against major accidents. The business is also good for the hospitality, tourism and local catering services. This influx of people from across the country is in stark contrast to the era of Covid nineteen, when visitors to major cities had to stay indoors at home. The danger of alcohol consumption should be avoided at all cost in major crowd areas such as beaches. The municipality must manage the influx of tourists to ensure there are no street fights, thefts or murders.
None the less local businesses can be relieved at the arrival of the new customers. These are signs that the tourism industry is returning to normal after a harsh period. Hotels, restaurants, theme parks and educational facilities – such as aquariums – will be packed. Everyone should make preparations.
Child safety remains a top priority for the eThekwini municipality as thousands of families flock to Durban’s beaches during the festive season, Mayor Cyril Xaba said on Tuesday, 16 December. Xaba conducted a walkabout along the Durban beachfront on Reconciliation Day, traditionally one of the busiest days of the festive period. He said the city had already distributed more than 200 000 identification armbands to help reunite children with their parents if they became separated in large crowds.
The main goal of this programme is to prevent the abduction, kidnapping, trafficking or loss of children. The arm band registration is to keep children close at hand to their parents in heavily concentrated areas for tourists such as beaches and the theme parks. This will facilitate the management of heavily crowded spots by tourists for the police much simpler. The protection of the youngsters through registering them with armbands will ensure a positive experience for them and their families in Durban.
People are flocking to Durban’s beaches in their numbers to spend the public holiday with family and friends, enjoying the sunshine and the waves. The 16th of December is usually one of the busiest days at the Durban beachfront over the festive period. The eThekwini Municipality earlier announced that all beaches are open for bathing, following repairs to storm-damaged sewage infrastructure over the past few years. Some youngsters described expressed their feelings. “OK, it’s my first time coming to Durban and it’s my first time swimming at the beach. But the most (lovely) thing that I had is the water … it’s sour in my mouth. I like it, I like it, I like it, the waves,” says one of the youngsters.
Not every one has had the opportunity to experience the coast. This is due them living inland. Thousands of kilometres away. Coming to the beaches such as those of eThekwini region is a new experience. The ocean wild life too is amazing and part of the package. Yes, there have been hurdles as a result of the rainy weather the province has been experiencing. The sewage has been of high risk but efforts to clear it have been successful. The beaches have been cleaned and should be maintained in that manner. Environmentally wise, keeping the sae water clean is essential to keeping both tourists, holiday makers and even the sea creatures happy. The beaches and theme parks are the most wonderful experience to feel when you are young or have family and are in Durban.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
