Tourism rebounds on KwaZulu-Natal's south coast after devastating floods

Businesses that were affected by the deadly floods in KwaZulu-Natal south coastal towns of Port Shepstone and Margate are fully operational.

On Sunday, the two areas were severely affected by heavy rainfall that resulted in localised flooding which forced the authorities to issue a travel warning to motorists particularly tourists. The floods caused significant damage to the beach promenade in Margate and the restaurants in Shelly Beach, negatively impacting tourism in these coastal areas. A 63-year-old woman from Ebomvini died after a mudslide and more deaths were reported in Amanzimtoti.

After the mop-up operation and a safety assessment which was completed on Tuesday, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality and tourism bodies declared the area safe for travel and called on tourists to return to their hotels.

Surina Mart, a spokesperson for Margate Basin Association, a tourism body, said after the mop-up and safety assessment, the area returned to normal for business on Tuesday.

“We are a hundred percent fine now. It’s now business as usual so all our properties are full back to business,” said Mart.

Ray Nkonyeni municipality spokesperson, Simon April, concurred saying all areas that were affected by the floods are now operational so visitors that start making their way to the south coast.

“As we urged them to delay their trips because of floods, we want to assure our visitors that it is now safe to travel to all our municipal towns,” said April.

The Sunday floods left roads damaged, some with sinkholes. Trees were uprooted and blocked entrances to towns. Debris was all over the beaches. Authorities said disaster management teams remain on the high alert for any possibilities.

With eThekwini municipality beaches still affected by 2022 floods which damaged sewage infrastructure, tourism in the north and south coastal towns have been benefiting. KwaDukuza and Mandeni municipalities in the north coast announced two weeks ago there were a sizable number of tourists visiting their shores.

Margate and Shelly Beach are popular tourist destinations under Ray Nkonyeni municipality with attractive beaches.  Although the towns have been hit by several storms a few years ago, their beaches remain open.

willem.phungula@inl.co.za