By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
As part of boosting the economy in the Buffalo City Metro area, the metro will open the beaches and picnic spots under level 2 of the lockdown regulations.
Last week President Cyril Ramaphosa moved the country from level three to level two of the national lockdown which allows all economic sectors to re-opened.
Reflecting on some of the decisions taken by the BCM COVID-19 Command Council, Buffalo City Metro mayor Xola Pakati revealed that all economic sectors in the Metro will reopen to boost the City’s economy.
“We are implementing a number of initiatives that are meant to boost our tourism sector with massive construction taking place for the Water World Fun Park and the Court Crescent Projects. Overall, we are implementing a number of infrastructure projects aimed at boosting the economic fortunes of the city and creating a quality life for all,” said Pakati.
Pakathi said the tourism sector in the metro has been severely affected by the national lockdown regulations and that it will benefit from the Tourism Relief Fund.
“One of the sectors most impacted by the virus in our city has been the leisure and tourism sector and we are happy that the move to level 2 is a start of a period of recovery for the sector. Tourism and the entire hospitality value chain remain important features of our economy in the city and their recovery is critical for our overall economic recovery plan. About 102 tourism businesses in the city have been approved for assistance by the Tourism Relief Fund” said Pakati.
Buffalo City’s popular hotspot Ubuhlanti will remain closed until further notice due to the construction that is currently taking place in the area.
The Mayor said “Municipal amenities and picnic spots will be opened. Due to ongoing construction, Ubuhlanti and the Eastern Beach will remain closed and at a later date, we will allow gradual phasing in of operations which will be announced to the public. Residents are advised to use all the other picnic spots and beaches which are opened.”
Pakati has urged all business owners and members of the public to be more vigilant as the war against the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over.
“The Coronavirus still exists, it is still highly infectious and is destructive to human life. I want to echo the sentiments of the President that this is a time for us to be more vigilant as the war is not yet over. We are pleading to you residents of our city and the business owners to be extra vigilant against the virus even during this period as we do not want to lose any of you.”
One of the vendors Xoliswa Ncinane who sells accessories in the East London beachfront has welcomed the announcement made by mayor Pakati.
“Thank you to the Buffalo City mayor for reopening the beaches, my life depends on tourists and local residents who visit the beaches without them I am nothing, ” she said.
Ncinane told BCM News that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the province has negatively impacted her business as she is going to struggle to get capital to start her business again.
“The idea of reopening the economy is good but now my problem is the capital, I can’t even buy food for my children. Where am I going to get the money to restart my business,” she added.