ON 16 DECEMBER we will commemorate the Day of Reconciliation under this year’s theme ‘Strengthening unity and social cohesion in a healing nation’. We must use this day to reflect on the milestones we have achieved in maintaining the fight for equal rights and opportunities for all citizens in South Africa. For the people of eThekwini, it is also important that we use this Day of Reconciliation to reflect on the strides we have made in advancing our social cohesion agenda. It is important that we also use this day to symbolise how we can bring about change peacefully and be united in our diversity.

We also commemorated World Aids Day on 1 December. We lit a candle in memory of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Reconciliation Day also coincides with the long weekend, and we anticipate scores of visitors flocking to the City. I am happy to report that repairs at the popular Children Amusement Centre swimming pool, which is along the beachfront, are at an advanced stage. Repairs are expected to be completed before the peak season days of the holiday. This means that all the pools along the beachfront will be operational. This brings the tally to 34 of swimming pools that are open.

I want to assure residents that repairs are currently underway at other swimming pools, several of which are township areas. We anticipate opening these pools soon. I encourage parents and guardians to be vigilant when visiting our beaches and pools this festive season. There are trained lifeguards on duty, but that doesn’t negate the responsibility you have to keep a close eye on your children and to ensure their safety. We have child minders along the beachfront that will assist to care for children who have become separated from their families.

To minimise this separation, we have procured 200 000 wristbands that will be used to tag children visiting the beach and swimming pools. The tag will contain the contact details of parents to ensure quick reunification if a child is separated from their parents or guardian. To ensure that bathing beaches are safe we continue to test our water quality once a week. This is a collaborative effort between the Municipality and a non-profit organisation Adopt- ARiver whose samples are tested by an independent laboratory Talbot. Our teams are also working round the clock to fix and upgrade our sewer infrastructure to prevent sewer spilling into our beaches. I wish everyone a blessed Merry Christmas and New Year!