Durban beaches are still plagued by E-coli contamination concerns at a time where the city’s beaches are usually packed.
Concerned South Africans have expressed two fears they have regarding Durban beaches; unsafe water and overcrowding. These issues seem to have become a constant concern for many beachgoers.
UNSAFE WATER AT DURBAN BEACHES
SABC NEWS reported on the closure of Bluff Beach due to high levels of E-coli contamination on 8 December 2024. They said the closing of the popular beach in the city sparked huge concern among holidaymakers.
Speaking to Bluff residents, Jacqueline Fynn and Gracienne Beybie, SABC NEWS said the two expressed shock and sadness over the beach closure. Fynn said:
“I am quite shocked at what I am hearing because this is part of who we are, and these beaches bring our families to enjoy themselves. It is unfair and it is not right, and this is the only place that we have. If they take this away, what do we do with our children?”
Beybie added: “It is also incredibly sad that we cannot use the beaches and are contaminated like this. They need to wake up and clear the beach because people and holidaymakers are coming to Durban, and it poses a problem because most of the beaches are closed.”
DURBAN BEACHES OPEN
Ethekwini opened most of its beaches at the start of December. IOL reported on 2 December 2024 that the municipality opened 19 of its beaches with low levels of E-coli to the public. Some of these beaches include Point, uShaka, Bronze, Toti Main, Winklespruit and Brighton beaches.
According to the municipality’s recent status report on beaches and pools, only two beaches are currently closed. These are Anstey’s Beach and Reunion.
ISSUE OF OVERCROWDING
Overcrowding has always been a big issue over the holidays in Durban. Videos circulating online showing the state of some of the beaches this past weekend left many South Africans worried, Briefly News reported. The viral video shared on TikTok left Mzansi alarmed by the number of beachgoers at South Beach.
Some said the clip gave them anxiety, while others wondered why the beaches were already so full. Others expressed concern over child safety and how difficult it would be to find children in the crowd if they went missing.
WILL YOU BE VISITING ANY OF THE DURBAN BEACHES THESE HOLIDAYS?
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