We all saw the Durban sewage crisis coming, but remained silent

Tourism is, or was, central to the economy of Durban. You would think that the municipality would make protecting and developing the industry a key priority. But just as, at national level, electricity, the Post Office, the railways and more have been left to rot, so too has the deeply corrupt municipality in Durban squandered much of the tourism goose that lays the golden egg of employment.

Florida Road, which could once claim to be among the most attractive and convivial streets in the country, is now marred by ugly new developments, including fast food outlets and a monstrous building that looks like a parking garage. Rational urban planning has been abandoned for a free-for-all.

The city centre is full of uncollected rubbish and decaying buildings, and once elegant areas, like Musgrave, are in rapid decline.

But Durban’s great asset has always, of course, been the magnificent Indian Ocean, and its wonderful open beachfront. It’s Durban’s most democratic space and is known for many things – like its ability to flatten class lines in an unequal city.

But even here no care has been taken with protecting the city’s greatest asset. The grass along the beachfront has not even been cut. But that kind of neglect is the least of the city’s problems.

The real problem is the sewage crisis. Many beaches remain closed and people are convinced that it’s not safe to swim even at the beaches that have been reopened.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels remain critical. The acceptable level for the ocean is 500 counts per 100ml and the level at most beaches along Durban’s coast is well above this.

There are two reasons for this crisis.

Jobs-for-pals system

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R25.