Photos: Holidaymakers Flock to Durban Beaches over Long Weekend

With less than ten days until Christmas, the holiday spirit is clearly in the air for many as Durban beaches were swamped today by beachgoers enjoying the public holiday in South Africa for Reconciliation Day, 16 December.

The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) #Airwing took these aerial photos of Durban beachfront earlier today – as the long weekend began.

SAPS reported that there were no serious incidents on Durban’s popular beaches. They cautioned: “Beachgoers are reminded to always be aware of their surroundings and practice standard beach safety. Water depths can change rapidly along the coastline and waves and rip currents can be very strong and unpredictable.”

Durban’s beachfront is one of South Africa’s most popular summer holiday destinations.

Holidaymaker Tshegofatso Mphahlele took the following photo from his hotel room on Friday and said the beachfront was indeed “packed”!

eThekwini Municipality told SAPeople the statistics for the 2014/2015 festive season included: about 124,700 visitors were on Durban Beachfront on Christmas Day and 93,060 on Boxing Day.

On New Year’s Day – which has become legendary in South Africa as the day many families, who have no other time to holiday together, make a pilgrimage to the beach -there were approximately 387,100 people and 110 lifeguards on duty. And, contrary to myth, all lost children were reunited with their families!

The eThekwini Municipality is running a road safety promotion at the beachfront until 2 January 2017. The Ngizoba Road Safe Campaign was launched on 9 December and has attracted crowds even in the rain!

As so many South Africans flock to the KwaZulu-Natal seaside resort, often driving long distances from cities like Johannesburg, the campaign aims to raise awareness that people should obey speed limits and road rules, and exercise patience, to reduce accidents and minimise injuries and fatalities on South Africa’s roads.

SAPS also posted this really useful Water Safety video:

The video was made in the USA, but applies to South African beaches and ocean currents too.