Durban - Those hoping to bare all at KwaZulu-Natal’s first nudist beach on the South Coast will have to keep their clothes on.
Well, for now anyway, while the Hibiscus Coast Municipality considers objections from a group calling itself Concerned Citizens of the Hibiscus Coast Municipality.
Their complaint is expected to be tabled at an executive council meeting next month.
The chairman of the organisation, the Rev Mike Effanga, said they had also submitted a document to the Minister of Environmental Affairs detailing their concerns.
The document lists moral, ethical, legal, economical, environmental, social and cultural reasons why the beach should not open.
“There are many people opposing the opening of the beach and we are representing various faith-based organisations, social and welfare organisations, business organisations as well as organisations concerned with the wellbeing of women and children.
“We have been ignored by the municipality for far too long. We demand (that) our concerns are finally heard,” said Effanga.
He believes that the opening of a nudist beach would create a “city of refuge for illegal and immoral conduct”.
The municipality gave permission to the South African National Naturist Association to open a nudist beach last year.
Effanga also expressed concern about a recent encounter between an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife official and a “very drunk” person who stripped at the beach recently.
He said the municipality had warned residents not to “strip off in public because the bylaws have not yet been passed”.
“This is just a small example of unanswered questions about unimagined law enforcement nightmares the nudist proposal poses.”
Effanga said there was a great amount of legal confusion over the municipality’s decision on the opening of the beach and that the municipality was offering no guidance in that respect.
A municipality spokesman, Simon Siboyisa, acknowledged receipt of the objections.
“The complaints will be considered and tabled at a meeting next month. I cannot confirm if it will definitely be reviewed – this would depend on a decision taken by all stakeholders,” said Siboyisa.
The naturist association said they were aware of the complaint but were hopeful they would be able to open the nudist beach in time for the Easter holidays.
A spokesman, Serge Pavlovic, said: “We were meant to open in December but there were a few setbacks.
“The municipality said they wanted to do an official opening and needed to take care of issues such as the building of ablution facilities, as well as (the establishment of) shark nets.
“I am confident that we will be ready to open the beach by April.”
Sunday Tribune