EThekwini all geared up for festive season

ALL plans are in place for a safe and festive celebration and around eThekwini these holidays. 

The Municipality assures residents that beaches that are open have been tested over a period of time and are safe for swimming. 

Residents are requested to swim only in the beaches that are open. There are information boards at all the beaches which indicate to bathers whether it is open or not. So before you jump into the water, check the board out. 

Recently, the Mayor, Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda, joined the public and took a swim at South Beach. The intention was to showcase to visitors that Durban is open for business and that indeed it remains Africa's playground. This was after he revealed the state of readiness of the Municipality and its relevant stakeholders to ensure a safe and fun-filled festive season.

YOUR SAFETY IS OUR

PRIORITY

''Our law enforcement officers will maintain high visibility in all areas to ensure safety during the festive season,'' said the Mayor. He further disclosed that the Municipality has partnered with Etron Electric Motor Bikes who donated motorbikes to Metro Police to be used for patrolling during the festive season. 

To ensure that the beaches and surrounding areas are safe and clean, the municipality has implemented the following:

• Employment of additional seasonal staff to complement the Municipality's workforce includes 60 lifeguards, 135 litter pickers, 20 small plant operators, 67 beach buddies, 48 childminders to care for children who have been separated from their parents/guardians and 60 pool attendants as well as 120 fieldworkers for the beach cleaning programme in the coastal area. 
• Parents/guardians are advised to put armbands with their contact details on, for children under the age of 12. 

TRAFFIC CONTROL AND 

PARKING ARRANGEMENTS

The Municipality has a park and ride system at the Old Drive-In Site on the M4 (corner of Sandile Thusi and Sylvester Ntuli Road). Free shuttles will ferry passengers from this site to central beaches every 30 minutes throughout the festive season. Roads leading to the beachfront will be boom-gate controlled. When necessary, these boom gates will be closed for the safety of all patrons. 

OPEN BEACHES AND

SWIMMING POOLS

''Most of the City's beaches are open and safe for swimming following improved water quality results. To guarantee this, the Municipality has partnered with one of the most reputable and independent laboratories, Talbot, to ensure that the quality of our water is constantly tested. We have agreed to compare and share our results publicly,'' said Mayor Kaunda. 

The beaches that are opened and safe include Point, uShaka, Wedge, North, Bay of Plenty, Battery, Pipeline, Toti Main, Warner, Umgababa, Anstey's and Country Club. The municipality will continue to monitor the water quality. 

The following swimming pools are open: Rainham, Durban North, Pipeline addlind, Tiger Rocks, Anstey's, Westville, Kings Park indoor and outdoor, Stanmore, UMlazi D, L.T. King, Bayview, Arena Park, Alex Bulley, Lamontville, Lahee Park, Ntuzuma, Sutton Park, South Beach Paddling, Tesoriere, Marrianridge, Tills Crescent, Croftdene, Bellair and Umgababa.