Second Beach revamp
Project to promote safety and tourism
IN A bid to keep beachgoers safe from shark attacks or drownings at its popular Second Beach, Port St Johns’ bosses are planning a revamp.
Together with Eastern Cape environmental authorities, the municipality has resolved to build a tidal pool around the notorious beach.
Despite the scenic rural town being regarded as the crown jewel of the Wild Coast and attracting hundreds of thousands of beachgoers every year, its leading swimming spot has earned the reputation as “beach of death” and the “world’s most dangerous”.
Eight people, including lifeguards, have lost their lives after being attacked by sharks at the beach in the past eight years.
Port St Johns’ mayor Lindelwa Rolobile told the Saturday Dispatch that would change as the municipality, in partnership with the provincial department of economic development and environmental affairs, were working on an infrastructure development project around Second Beach.
The department has invested R9-million towards the project.
Among other things, the development will consist of a tidal pool, upgrading ablution facilities, proper parking areas, as well as an upmarket area which would include a trendy restaurant.
Rolobile said the project would also include the construction of an area for boats used by lifeguards.
“It’s long overdue [the project],” she said. “There have been many shark attacks and as council we have been hoping for something like this.
“Second Beach is no longer able to be filled to capacity as people are scared to go there. It is not the kind of PSJ we want as the municipality.”
A contractor has already been appointed to conduct a feasibility study.
The mayor said the rural town’s economy relied heavily on its ability to attract tourists, and as such, a safer Second Beach would not only impact positively on the economy, but would also have a huge impact on the tourist figures.
“With this project and going forward, it means there will be more jobs created while a growth in the tourism industry could also act as a catalyst to attract huge investments into the area,” added Rolobile.
She said there had been a decrease in the numbers due to the wave of attacks.
“People of the Eastern Cape love Port St Johns but were also reluctant to go there as there were no parking. We also hope to put an end to drownings.”
An eight-year-old girl became the latest victim of drownings at Second Beach after she went for a swim during the festive season.
Her 12-year-old friend had to be rushed to hospital where she was treated and later discharged. — sikhon@dispatch.