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“The walkway does not appear safe.“
People heading for the sea at Banana Beach have to undertake a dangerous walk on the wooden path leading down to the beach.
This pathway carries a significant amount of foot traffic during the holidays, and there have been many attempts to get the walkway replaced or repaired, particularly over the last few years.
The Herald reported on this same issue in November last year and it seems very little had been done since. While reporters were taking photos on Monday this week, several holidaymakers voiced their displeasure.
“We pay high prices to come down and enjoy the holidays. To endure a walk on this pathway is frustrating especially if you have children. It is dangerous,” said a holidaymaker from Benoni.
Another said, “How do I carry my child on this if it is not safe for me to walk on it? We have paid up-front to enjoy the beach; too late to change our minds now.”
Local fisherman, Richard Cochman said the pathway is in a shocking state. “Why can’t the tourism department or the municipality come themselves to see how bad this pathway is. We need holidaymakers to visit our areas, we don’t need to chase them away.”
It was reported last year that accommodation establishments bear the brunt of the criticism from irate guests. Even a letter to the mayor, Cllr Cynthia Mqwebu, in June last year was in vain.
Another local said that by December the pathway would be no more. “I say this because I know that the municipality won’t come forward and have this walkway fixed. Four years ago, the Banana Beach community took maintenance matters into its own hands and repaired the walkway,” he said.
The repair was a temporary one and the community hoped the municipality would maintain the walkway. No comment from Ray Nkonyeni Municipality had been received at the time of going to print.
Take care when walking on the pathway to Banana Beach.
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