Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
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03 Feb 2021

Eased lockdown restrictions met with jubilation on North Coast

James Anderson (North Coast Courier) Picture: Phillip Nothnagel, Redha Nothnagel and Annie de Bruyn are delighted to be able to walk on the beach whilst on holiday in Ballito.

The news of eased restrictions across the country on February 1 has been met with jubilation from North Coast business owners and residents alike. Beaches have been reopened without restriction, bottle stores are able to trade from Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm and licensed restaurants are allowed to sell alcohol from 10 am to 10 pm. The changes were made following a drop in coronavirus cases countrywide and were announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night.

Swimming is allowed under the new restrictions, but shark nets are still being put in place at life-guarded beaches along the North Coast.

“The Sharks Board is installing the nets and should be done by the end of the week, until then swimmers are entering the water at their own risk,” said KwaDukuza lifeguard superintendent Bongani Xulu.

Despite cloudy weather on Tuesday morning, a few intrepid beachgoers took the opportunity to walk on the sand.

“It’s wonderful to be on the beach again after so long. We are in Ballito on holiday and the easing of restrictions makes a huge difference to our plans. Thank you Cyril!” said Johannesburg resident Phillip Nothnagel.

Holidaymakers left the town in droves after the beaches were closed on December 29, causing a major slump in the traditional holiday trade over the Festive Season.

“Beyond the beach aspect, we can now buy wine as well which is a big plus! We thought about bringing from Jo’burg but did not want to take the risk in a roadblock,” said Nothnagel.

Alcohol sales have been similarly banned since December, which has depressed the business of bottle stores and restaurants.

Manager of the Italian restaurant Al Pescatore, on the Ballito beachfront, Siphiwe Mgwaba said they were overjoyed.

“We have been getting only 1 or 2 people in the restaurant at a time and although we had a lot of takeaways, this does not help the waitstaff who rely on tips. We are so excited,” said Mgwaba.

Ballito Village Kwikspar and Tops bottle store owner Ed von Gericke echoed the sentiment.

“We understood that we all had a responsibility to stop the spread of this virus, but it was difficult on our staff and the community who were unable to buy alcohol in mid-December.”

The Ballito Village bottle store was opened in November 2020 and only had 6 weeks of operation before having to close doors.

“We are so glad to be open and to see that coronavirus numbers across the country are dropping, it feels like a small return to normalcy” he said.

 

Online Article