If you’re planning a weekend at the beach in Durban, you might want to check the water quality before you take the plunge. While 21 out of 23 beaches are still open, four popular ones – Blue Lagoon, uMhlanga, Ansteys, and Cuttings – have been temporarily closed due to high levels of E.coli. Yikes!
Environmental activist Desmond D’Sa has raised concerns, pointing fingers at the city’s poor infrastructure. Apparently, eThekwini’s mayor only mentioned one affected beach earlier this week, but D’Sa claims there are more hidden behind the scenes. He warns that the contaminated water could leave you with more than just a bad tan – we’re talking potential illness.
D’Sa also slammed the local municipality for squandering funds meant for sewage infrastructure repairs, leaving subsistence fishers in the lurch. These fishermen are now relying on charity to feed their families, instead of catching their usual supply of fish. “It’s a disgrace,” D’Sa said, expressing frustration over the loss of livelihoods for people who used to sell and eat the fish they caught.
Meanwhile, other beaches like uMhlanga Main and Bronze Beach were temporarily closed after mysterious brown balls washed up, sparking suspicions they were faeces. However, Gugu Sisilana from the eThekwini Municipality has assured everyone the balls are probably just fatty food remnants from local eateries. So, no need to panic (unless you’re allergic to fried food).
The underlying issue, according to activists, is the city’s sewage system and water infrastructure failures. The problem isn’t just confined to the beaches either – water shortages are being felt in areas like Verulam and Tongaat. Local groups like AfriForum are urging the government to step up and resolve the ongoing water crisis, or Durban’s beaches might not be the only thing left high and dry in 2025.
So, for now, it’s beach day at your own risk – just don’t forget to bring the hand sanitiser!
Source Info: https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/21-out-of-23-durban-beaches-remain-open-to-public-605c8936-6530-4bd1-bead-566c06877119