Cesspool beaches

NOW that the visitors have left our province, it is time to have an honest discussion about just what KZN has to offer as a tourist destination.

Our towns and cities are filthy. The roads are littered with potholes, and the supply of water and electricity in too many areas is erratic. Meanwhile, one of our greatest assets, our beaches, have become cesspools.

On the South Coast, one of the most popular beaches, Uvongo, had to be closed a few days ago because two sewage pump stations broke and waste flowed into the sea.

Durban had to close eight beaches due to a similar problem as well as heavy rains that washed waste from informal settlements into the sea.

Beaches further north were closed in the run-up to the festive season after high levels of chemicals were found in the water. It is believed this was linked to the destruction of property during the July unrest.

A growing number of people are making the Western Cape their new home. If our province does not improve its offering, the tourists who once headed to sunny KZN will make the Western Cape their destination of choice.