As we approach the last weekend of the festive season, eThekwini Municipality anticipates that more people will visit our beautiful City, recently named among the top 10 in the list of ’52 Cities to visit in 2015’ by New York Times Travel magazine, to view its attractions and take one last dip in our warm beaches before schools re-open.
All safety and security measures remain in place to ensure that holidaymakers continue to enjoy their stay in the City incident and hassle-free.
Teaching and learning in schools is KwaZulu-Natal officially resume for the 2015 academic year on Wednesday, 21/01/15. As most people are currently busy purchasing last-minute supplies in preparation for the school year, the numbers of patrons visiting our beaches have decreased over the past week.
Approximately 481 968 people were recorded to have been at the various beaches since the beginning of the week. About 44 rescues were carried out and 649 people received first aid for minor cuts and blue bottle stings. No drowning was reported. Six arrests were made at the Central beachfront for offences such as pickpocketing, fighting and unruly behavior. Estimates of 11 709 litter bags were collected during this week. Approximately 161 children went through the separated children’s tent and were collected by their guardians/parents on the same day.
Chairman of the Festive Season Management Committee (FESMAC), Christo Swart, said that the number of people at the beaches was expected to pick up over the coming weekend, as people would come to have one last splash on the waves before starting the official school year. “I would like to sincerely thank all patrons for their co-operation with our officials and law enforcement officers. I assure them that their safety is our priority.”
Roads around the Suncoast Casino and Ushaka Marine World/Point precinct have been opened to allow the free flow of traffic. Other road closures around the beachfront will be cleared on Monday, 19/01/2015.
