Durban – The eThekwini municipality has poured cold water on claims that a multimillion-rand upgrade to beachfront pools – which includes retiling – is a result of dark tiles camouflaging dark-skinned bathers underwater, increasing their risk of drowning.
A weekend newspaper reported that the navy-blue pool tiles “camouflage” dark-skinned bathers underwater, prompting “outrage” from those who use the Rachel Finlayson pool on Durban’s golden mile.
The pool was a key feature in the successful bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Durban. The city said the R4.2m revamp is necessary.
Municipal spokesperson Tozi Mthethwa said the report was off the deep end.
“The municipality is changing the surface of the pool to improve visibility, for cleaning and maintenance purposes. We are not aware of any formal complaints regarding drownings as a result of the colour of the tiles,” she said.
“However, to assist those who have difficulty in swimming, we offer community outreach programmes at all the municipal pools where lifesaving skills are taught. This includes basic first aid, including CPR, expired resuscitation and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.”
Trained pool supervisors offer free swimming lessons to the public at all of the city’s pools, she said. Classes are suspended over the peak summer season but are offered throughout the year.
Mthethwa said an improvement of health and safety standards will see a change in the pool’s water intake system and improve water clarity.
The swimming pool and paddling pools share a supply pipeline.
“We are creating a single line that will pump water from the sea to the Rachel Finlayson pool and another line that will pump water directly from the sea to the paddling pools.”
Jeff Wicks, News24
