Bay beaches ready for visitors
It is all systems go as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality gears up for an influx of revellers from this week, with extra lifeguards, ambassadors and security set to roam all the beaches over the festive season.
The city will kick off its summer season programme with the traditional Opening of Season event Friday, which include fireworks display and performances by headliners Gigi Lamayne and Heavy K.
A host of other national and local artists will perform at various events over the next couple of weeks, according to events organiser Darren Mungur of Soul Good Company.
In response to the water shortage crisis in the Bay, the municipality will have marshals – beach ambassadors – keeping watch in public bathrooms to ensure no wastage.
They will monitor communal showers and also warn visitors against littering the beaches.
The municipality’s political head of sports, recreation, arts and culture, Siyasanga Sijadu, said they would be at public toilets to ensure people closed the taps.
“Those showers will [switch] off every five seconds so that water is not wasted.”
Fifty lifeguards have been deployed to keep watch at the city’s beaches and swimming pools.
“We have seasonal lifeguards at all our beaches so people can enjoy our beaches safely,” Sijadu said.
“This season, all directorates are working together. It is a joint venture.
“We have the metro police working hand in hand with the SAPS.”
She said the Wildlife and Environmental Society of SA had officials creating awareness at the beaches to maintain their blue flag status.
They would ensure the beaches were neat while also educating and raising awareness among beachgoers.
“That is why we have said no alcohol is allowed at the beaches. It is for the safety and cleanliness of the beaches,” Sijadu said.
Deputy mayor Mongameli Bobani said the city was considering a request to open public toilets for 24 hours on busy days over the festive season.
“We heard the calls from people to have toilets open for 24 hours,” he said.
“We will be discussing it with the mayor because we don’t have money.
“But it makes sense to open for 24 hours because we don’t want people relieving themselves on our beaches.”
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism is hoping to have more visitors in the metro this year, to boost the economy.
Tourism chief executive Mandlakazi Skefile said tourism added R343 736 187 to the Bay’s economy in December last year.
People visiting the Bay can use a travel app launched by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism which acts as a tour guide, allowing access to information and tours from a person’s mobile device.
