The unofficial opening of a nudist beach on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast was a huge success, despite police nearly arresting some of the nudists. This is according to Serge Pavlovic, Chairman of the South African National Naturist Association.
Pavlovic told Tourism Update that the arrival of police to arrest the group of nudists put a damper on festivities but the crisis was quickly averted with no arrests made. He said the relevant municipality officials informed the police that the law was on the nudists’ side.
Pavlovic said more than a hundred naturists from all over SA had gathered to celebrate the opening. He added that the organisation had received congratulations from all over the world and that international tour operators had shown an interest in packaging the beach in their brochures.
The beach was given official nude-beach status by the municipality in November last year. However, in January, the Concerned Citizens of the Hibiscus Coast opposed the decision, saying the beach would lead to deterioration in moral values.
The protest from the Concerned Citizens has delayed the ‘official’ opening of the beach, as the municipality is still processing all the submitted documents. Spokesperson for the municipality, Simon April, told Tourism Update he doubted the nudist beach would be halted but that the municipality needed to investigate all concerns. “I would not say the Council will revoke its decision but is considering the submissions. I can indicate that the Council is currently confident that it took the right decision.”
