Umamah Bakharia
Swimming, surfing and fishing have been prohibited at 13 Durban beaches after high levels of E.coli were found. This will have a devastating impact on tourism in KwaZulu-Natal.
Adopt-a-River, an NPO that monitors Durban’s beaches and rivers, says the eThekwini Metro must make its E. coli readings public after the city closed the beaches after E.coli was detected.
Speaking to Radio Islam, a tourism academic at the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein, Dr Unathi Sonwabile Henama, says the beach closing will devastate the economy.
“I think KZN will possibly lose 30% of arrivals because KZN is sold first as a summer destination,” says Dr Henama. Adding, that “the tourism industry requires a competent public service to succeed.”
Closed beaches include Westbrook, uMhlanga Main, uMdloti, Casuarina, eThekwini Beach, Laguna Seasonal Beach, Ansteys Beach, Brighton Beach, Isiphingo Beach, Reunion Beach, Warner Beach, Amanzimtoti Main Beach, and Pipeline Beach.
Dr Henama says it’s now up to the city to decide how they will handle the issue.
“The people of eThekwini can’t live in poverty and hunger because of poor leadership because these things build-up, this is a warning sign,” he says.
The public will be notified when the beaches are deemed safe to utilise.
0 Comments