Arrogant, incompetent and stupid, is how Ward 1 Councillor Stanford Slabbert described the recent decision of the Sport Art Recreation and Culture Standing Committee to ban bathing at Sardinia Bay Beach.
At the meeting on 6th September, the ANC majority voted to support Beach Manager Fernando Cain’s proposal to commission an independent Risk Assessment of Nelson Mandela Bay beaches, plus to prohibit bathing at Sardinia Bay Beach and relocate the current car park subject to EIA guidelines.
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DA Councillor Slabbert noted that there had been absolutely zero consultation with any role-players before Cain placed this proposal before the committee. “In todays democratic society, a major factor in any public decision is public participation, and nothing has been done”, said a frustrated Slabbert. “The local residents association were not consulted, nor was the Ward 1 committee. In fact, my office was not even aware of the proposal until the Agenda was circulated”, said Slabbert, who called for disciplinary steps to be taken against the Beach Manager. “This proposal, and decision, is a farce, and it is an indication of just how ridiculous matters within this Metro have become. Here is a senior manager who cannot do his job, so he proposes that the beach be closed, to save himself the hassle of providing lifeguards on this beach. What happens when he cannot place lifeguards at other beaches? Will he propose to close them too?”
“Sardinia Bay Surf Lifesaving Club has patrolled their beach for 32 years, without any loss of life whilst they have been on duty, and they were also not consulted”, said Slabbert. “In fact, the Beach Manager stated in his motivation that “the beach had the reputation of taking a life annually” and he misled the councillors with such a blatant lie. What he omitted to clarify, was that Sardinia Bay has had no drownings, but the adjacent Sylvic Bay has been the scene of some tragedies and drownings over the years. Everyone knows that you do not swim at Sylvic, as it is treacherous and the rip currents are very powerful. Most of the drownings here have been alcohol related, after groups drink on the beach and wade in to cool off. This is not a patrolled area, as it is a no-go zone for swimming. How can the Beach Manager use these stats to close Sardinia Bay Beach? queried Slabbert, who added that simple by-law enforcement would prevent public drinking and save lives, but was non-existent.
Another fact that Slabbert disputed was Cains statement that Sardinia Bay regularly experienced illegal activities and crime. ” This is just ridiculous, as Walmer SAPS stats for this area are very low. There have been maybe three vehicles broken into this year, which is not a crime problem when compared to the southern beachfront, which is besieged by drunken and unruly car-guards”. “Whilst there has been some perlemoen activity in the nature reserve, other crimes are almost non-existent”, said Slabbert, who again pointed out that the Beach Manager was misleading councillors and officials.
Slabbert stated that Sardinia Bay beach was the Metro’s most beautiful and scenic beach, similar in a way to being the Llandudno of Cape Town, and should be a prime tourist attraction. Sadly, the Metro had allowed the sand dunes to cover the roadway and access was currently limited to those who walked over the dunes.
“I still believe that we should remove the sand-dunes and reinstate vehicular access to the car-park adjacent to the surf lifesavers clubhouse, as this beach is very popular and our city is growing outwards towards this area” said Slabbert. “There are about 1000 homes being built in the adjoining areas and this is the only beach for this community. It is also the only alternative to the southern beachfront, and the only option for bathers when the summer easterly winds are howling”, said Slabbert.
“What has changed over the past 30 years that now suddenly results in the Beach Manager proposing to close this beach”, queried Slabbert. “There have been no drownings, the beach has been busy, the Sardinia Bay Surf Lifesaving Club provide their voluntary services on Sundays and Public Holidays, and they are an asset to the local community. So what is now the reason? Fernando Cain must state his reasons, if he has any, and he must resign”, said Slabbert. “We need a competent and enthusiastic Beach Manager, not someone who is shirking their responsibilities”.
Another aspect queried by Slabbert was the call for a independent Risk Assessment of all local beaches. “Council is almost broke and it has been stated many times that the use of consultants must be stopped. Now our Beach Manager is calling for an independent assessment? What is wrong with his own department? Why can they not do it? Why does he not approach Eastern Cape Surf Lifesaving, who are the specialists? No, it will probably be some inexperienced group that has no clue, similar to the last time such an exercise was carried out” said Slabbert.
Slabbert pointed out that the Standing Committees decision must now go to the Mayoral Committee, before it is placed on the Council agenda for ratification. “Hopefully sanity will prevail and the Mayor will stop this farce” said Slabbert, who indicated that should the item proceed to Council, large scale demonstrations will be called to ensure that the publics right to swim at Sardinia Bay beach remained intact. “Sardinia Bay must remain as a public bathing beach and Fernando Cain must be taken to task for his ridiculous proposal”.
We cannot allow our dysfunctional Metro to ban bathing at this pristine beach. It is imperative that all Port Elizabethans are allowed full access and usage of this awesome beach.
Please sign this document and get your family, friends and neighbourhood to sign as well.
