December rescue bid

The drive to revive the South Coast’s tourism economy is gaining momentum.

KZN Public Works MEC Martin Meyer has vowed to push ahead with the leasing of 15 coastal properties between Hibberdene and Port Edward, despite a legal threat from Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM).

In a Facebook video last week, Meyer said the properties, which used to be thriving restaurants and kiosks, had for years been on month-to-month leases.

He highlighted the plight of Mariners Seafood Restaurant at Marina Beach, which was severely damaged after a freak wave crashed through the premises in September 2023.

The incident injured 12 people, with several requiring hospital treatment, while one patron was swept into the sea and rescued.

“One very good example is Mariners, which was destroyed in a storm in 2023, never reopened because why would you invest if you only have a month-to-month lease? RNM never gave them the long-term leases they need to operate and to create jobs,” Meyer said.

The restaurant’s prolonged closure has left its future and jobs linked to it uncertain.

In November last year, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson handed management of the properties to the KZN Department of Public Works, with the aim of leasing them and making them economically viable.

“We accepted that responsibility for one reason: to give these businesses long-term leases so they can invest, employ local people and bring visitors back to our beaches. We have done the work, by the book, followed the law and all the regulations, every step that was required of us.

“Instead of welcoming this, the municipality has now threatened to block us by taking us to court to prevent these businesses from opening by us giving them the leases.”

“Let me be clear. Following a meeting with Macpherson last week and the legal sections of both these departments, we are informing the municipality formally that we are proceeding with the leases and we will not be delayed any further,” Meyer said.

“Our goal is to have as many of these kiosks and restaurants open for the December holiday period so we can revive the tourism sector in one of the most beautiful coastlines in the country,” he said.

“To the municipality, we say this. Don’t waste taxpayers’ money on useless court cases that will only block businesses and prevent job creation. Work with us. Our door remains open. But we will not be distracted. We will protect the right of local businesses to trade, of young people to find work, and of tourism in the South Coast to grow.”

Comment was sought from RNM, but none was received at the time of going to press.

Shona Aylward 2 minutes read Facebook X LinkedIn Tumblr Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Share via Email Print Support local journalism Add The Citizen as a preferred source to see more from South Coast Herald in Google News and Top Stories.