The KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is officially open for the festive season, with only one beach remaining temporarily closed for cleanup following intense flash floods this past Sunday. This assurance comes from the local hospitality association, which is actively countering what it calls “misleading” information circulating online.
Heavy afternoon downpours on Sunday saw between 100mm and 160mm of rain fall in just a few hours, overwhelming water systems and causing localized flooding in areas including Margate and the Shell Centre. The immediate aftermath raised concerns about the potential impact on the critical holiday tourism season, which is vital for the region’s economic recovery.
However, Mandy Massey, KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Chair of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA), provided a swift and optimistic assessment. She emphasized that outdated footage from the severe 2024 floods was being wrongly shared, exaggerating the scale of the weekend’s event.
“What defines the South Coast is not disruption. It’s the resilience and the spirit of our people,” stated Massey. She detailed a rapid, community-wide response on Sunday evening involving the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, disaster management teams and local residents and holidaymakers who all “got stuck in” to clean up.
According to Massey, the coordinated effort has resulted in all beaches being operational except for Margate Beach, which remains closed solely for debris removal as it is the lowest-lying point in the area. Beaches such as St. Michael’s and Uvongo are open.
“There’s no disruption. Business as usual. We continue to offer a vibrant and a safe holiday experience,” Massey affirmed, sharing that she had video footage from early Monday morning showing holidaymakers already enjoying the coast.
When questioned about the increasing frequency of such severe weather events—noting this as the fourth significant flood since 2022—Massey credited improved preparedness. She reported that stormwater drainage systems had been updated following the 2024 floods, which mitigated the impact. She also applauded the hands-on support from the local municipality, disaster management, and a visit from the Premier of KZN to assess the situation.
Addressing persistent concerns about infrastructure that had previously led to beach closures, Massey confirmed that issues are being addressed. “Our infrastructure is definitely being addressed,” she said, praising the strong partnership between community “tidy town” teams and the municipality.
Massey’s central message to potential visitors was one of reassurance and a direct appeal: “Please… there is a lot of misinformed information… we are up, we are ready, we are welcoming holidaymakers.” She encouraged anyone with concerns to contact their accommodation establishment or tour operator directly for the latest, accurate information.
As the South Coast moves into the heart of the festive period, the local tourism industry is projecting resilience, hoping that clear communication and demonstrable recovery will keep the season on track.