ETHEKWINI ALL SET FOR FESTIVE SEASON
It is that time of the year once again when eThekwini rolls out the red carpet for thousands of visitors who descend upon its warm and sunny shores for the festive season, and all plans are in place.
“Our beaches and swimming pools are open and we have plenty of attractions on offer for our visitors.” This was the clear message and assurance that eThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda communicated when he launched the Festive Season Management Programme at the Beachfront Promenade on 01 December.
As part of the day’s activities, Mayor Kaunda, joined by eThekwini councillors and senior management, donned his swimsuit and dived into the beach water to demonstrate that Durban beaches are safe for bathers. Other activities included beach sports and showcasing of other offerings such as Rickshaw pullers and Segway rides.
Mayor Kaunda revealed that the City is working with all spheres of government and the private sector to implement an integrated festive season safety plan that will ensure safety in all tourism precincts, roads and communities.
“Our law enforcement officers will maintain high visibility in all areas to save lives and ensure safety during the festive season,” he said. Mayor Kaunda further disclosed that the City has partnered with Etron Electric Motor Bikes who donated motorbikes to Metro Police to be used for patrol during the festive season.
Recruitment of seasonal staff
To ensure that our beaches are safe and clean, the City has implemented the following:
- Employment of additional seasonal staff to complement the City’s workforce. These include 60 lifeguards, 135 litter pickers, 20 small plant operators, 67 beach buddies, 48 childminders to care for children who have been separated from their parents/guardians and 60 pool attendants as well as 120 fieldworkers for the beach cleaning programme in the coastal area.
- Seven tents for children who have been separated from their parents/guardians have been procured.
- Overnight facility for children who have been separated from their parents/guardians has been secured at Ellis Brown Primary School
- About 150 000 armbands will be available for easy identification of children.
Signature events
To ensure that visitors and residents have the time of their lives in eThekwini, the City has partnered with several event organisers for the staging of signature entertainment events. These include Any Given Sunday, Music is King, Durban Underground, Durban Jazz Festival, Woz’eDurban Picnic, All White Party Elegant Township Experience, Endless Summer, the 5th Annual Xmas Kasi Cultural Experience and many more.
At the Moses Mabhida Stadium Precinct, the following events will be hosted on 31 December:
- A soccer match between Lamontville Golden Arrows and Kaizer Chiefs
- A rugby match between The Sharks and the Blue Bulls
- Fact Durban Rocks at the People’s Park
Testing of water quality and opening of Umhlanga beaches
“Most of the City’s beaches are open and safe for swimming following improved water quality results. To guarantee this, the City has partnered with one of the reputable and independent laboratories, Talbot, to ensure that the quality of our water is constantly tested. We have agreed to compare and share our results publicly,” said Mayor Kaunda
Yesterday, the City opened uMhlanga Main and Bronze Beaches after receiving consistently complying results from 10-25 November. Other beaches that are opened and safe for swimming include Point, Ushaka, Wedge, North, Bay of Plenty, Battery, Pipeline, Toti Main, Warner, Umgababa, Anstey’s and Country Club. EThekwini team will continue to monitor the water quality.
World AIDS Day message
Meanwhile, as the world commemorated World AIDS Day yesterday, Mayor Kaunda urged all men to adhere to the call by the Mina campaign that urges men to take active steps in the fight against the pandemic. The campaign creates spaces where men living with HIV/AIDS can connect and support each other on their journey to health.
“Know your status, take your treatment as directed by health professionals in order to curb infections and suppress the virus. Let us also work together to fight the gender-based violence scourge,” said Mayor Kaunda.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit. For media enquiries contact the Municipality’s Spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela on 060 966 4220.