Thousands of South Africans flock to the beaches every year on Boxing Day, and this year was no different. December 26th is traditionally one of the busiest beach days for holidaymakers and locals. Of course, the extreme heat in many regions made the beaches even more attractive.
Beaches across Cape Town reach maximum capacity
Beaches across Cape Town reached maximum occupancy on Boxing Day. Subsequently, authorities closed off many of them to further visits from the public, capetownetc reported. Among these were Boulders Beach and Silvermine Beach. Although Muizenberg Beach and Fish Hoek Beach were both at full capacity, these beaches could not be closed.
Thousands descend on Durban’s beaches
The Durban beachfront became particularly busy in the afternoon. Although many Durban beaches were closed due to high levels of E. coli, most of them have since been reopened in time for Boxing Day.
The eThekwini Municipality posted an update on 24 December listing the beaches that are open for swimming: Ushaka, Addington, Battery Beach, Bay of Plenty, Point Beach, North Beach, South Beach, Wedge Beach, Thekwini Beach, Laguna Beach, Mdloti Main, Umhlanga Main, Bronze Beach, Westbrook, Umgababa, Brighton, Winkelespruit, Toti Main Beach, Pipeline Beach, Warner Beach, and Reunion.
Alcohol on beaches a major concern
Even though South African law prohibits alcohol on all South African beaches, drunk people remain a major concern, especially intoxicated parents putting their children in danger.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, has urged the public to refrain from bringing alcohol onto beaches as related – often tragic – incidents continue to occur around the country.
He posted on social media that during the first 18 days of December, they confiscated over 1 500 bottles of alcohol from the beaches in the stretch between Muizenberg and Sea Point.
National law prohibits alcohol in any form from being brought onto any coastal area. He urged members of the public to alert any officers present on the beach if they see any beachgoers with alcohol in their possession.
“We are doing our best to protect everyone this time of the year, but we need your help! Alcohol may not be brought onto any beach – it’s the same law across the country.”
Alderman JP Smith
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