The uncertainty over eThekwini north beaches is expected to benefit north coastal municipalities of KwaDukuza and Mandeni under Ilembe district municipality.

On Tuesday, eThekwini municipality was forced to close two of northern beaches in the affluent Umhlanga area due to sewer leakage.

On Thursday, Ilembe Enterprise, an economic development and tourism agency of the district municipality launched the regional season safety plan and vowed to go all out to woo tourists from bigger cities offering them a non-congested beach and other entertainment hubs on the north coastal strip.

The region boasts two of the most affluent Zimbali Estate and Ballito along the coast. These tourist attraction areas previously fell under eThekwini municipality but a few years ago municipal demarcations placed them under KwaDukuza municipality. With revenue generated through property rates and business levies the regional economy has drastically improved.

Unveiling the safety plan, Ilembe district municipality mayor Thobani Shandu said his municipality is ready to welcome visitors and promised them a great experience. He said all seven beaches stretching from Ballito to Dokodweni under Mandeni local municipality have received blue flag status which means they are safe and clean for swimming.

“Today, we send a clear message: iLembe is open, ready, and safe for the festive season. Like great cities around the world, we know safety is the deal-breaker. All four of our local municipalities, including the District itself, have festive-season safety and disaster plans in place. This year we are expecting 150 000 to 200 000 visitors,” said Shandu.

Besides beaches, Shandu said visitors can also visit heritage sites including the Shaka’s grave and other cultural sites in the region. With close to 200 000 visitors this year, Shandu said the projections indicate that the economic spinoffs will exceed R200 million and thousands of jobs will be created.

The district economy is expected to also benefit during the Nazareth Baptist Church’s annual pilgrimage in January. The church, which is widely known as Shembe, is one of the biggest African churches with a membership of more than one million.

Speaking on behalf of the provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Colonel Robert Netshiunda assured visitors that police will be visible in all areas, particularly those usually frequented by tourists.

He said the province has already welcomed 1500 new police constables from the college to be deployed in strategic areas to ensure a peaceful and safe festive season for everyone. He also warned online booking scammers who disrupted tourists last year that this year police will be watching them with an eagle eye.

“We want to assure everyone that police in the province working together with all law enforcement agencies are more than ready to ensure that our visitors will have a safe festive season,” said Netshiunda. 

willem.phungula@inl.co.za

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