April 21, 2011. On Sunday, April 17, Carte Blanche brought to the public’s attention the state of the lifesaving facilities and service on beaches in KwaDukuza (Ballito and broader area). The facilities were neglected and there was insufficient safety equipment and medical supplies among other things.
“Tourism is of critical importance to iLembe and a massive economic driver for the local economy, stakeholders like the iLembe district municipality, iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise iLembe and Lifeguards Africa got together with the KwaDukuza Municipality first thing on Monday morning to see how we could lend a helping hand,” said Trenley Tilbrook, CEO of the iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. “Obviously, we were keen to resolve the issue before holidaymakers descended on the beaches for the season.”
By Monday afternoon all VHF radios had gone in for repairs, medical supplies and safety equipment had been ordered. By Tuesday morning contractors had been appointed to start cleaning and painting the various beach facilities.
On Wednesday morning, Mayor of KwaDukuza Municipality T Khuluse personally inspected the beaches to ensure that facilities were being upgraded, radios were being installed and tested, safety equipment had arrived and new medical supplies were delivered. There were additional lifeguards on duty manning their posts.
By Easter Friday there would be an additional 26 lifeguards on duty made up of additional staff provided by Lifeguards Africa and volunteers from Salt Rock and Ballito Lifesaving clubs to ensure that our visitors will be safe over the busy Easter period.
“It’s really incredible to see how much you can achieve if you stand together and work towards the greater good of all. We’re looking forward to a bumper Easter holiday period with the occupancy figures around 80% and enquiries still coming in. The North Coast has always been considered a premier holiday destination and we’re always striving to ensure service excellence in all aspects of the tourism sector,” said Kanyi Gasa, CEO of Enterprise iLembe.