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With the R4m upgrade of Marina Glen still on hold, women who make their income braaiing at the popular East London beachfront location have little option but to look for business elsewhere.
The gates to Marina Glen, or Ebuhlanti, as it is popularly known, have been closed for months. The much-needed renovations were expected to be complete in time for the festive season. However, in August, the department of environmental affairs pulled the plug on the upgrade after the city failed to secure the required environmental certificate.
With Ebuhlanti a no-go area for revellers, festivities have spilled across the road to a much smaller space known as Little Mauritius.
For the women whose livelihoods depend on braaiing for visitors, life has been tough since the closure of Ebuhlanti while residents of Baysville and Quigney complain bitterly about traffic congestion and public drinking.
For the past two weekends, the Daily Dispatch has visited Little Mauritius and the parking lot where the vendors have now set up their braai stands.
There was heavy traffic congestion at the parking lot, with no water available. A few of vendors were cooking food on the coals. People relieved themselves in the bushes while others danced to blaring popular music.
Little Mauritius was overcrowded with cars moving in and out. There were a few unhygienic toilets that did not meet the demand and litter was spread all over the area.
Those who found no space inside Little Mauritius simply parked outside the enclosure along the main road, John Bailie Road. Baysville residents say cars park all the way up McJannet Drive every weekend as well.
The women who braai said they were told that the Marina Glen upgrade would be completed in December.
Nomzi Rafizolo, from Reeston, said there was not enough space at Little Mauritius to accommodate all the braai vendors.
“It is difficult and business is slow ... We are struggling because customers sometimes fight because cars coming in do not want to make way for those that are going out.”
“We are unhappy.”
Thumeka Mvila, from Parkside, said among their struggles were unhygienic toilets and the overall filthiness of the area.
“Even today we are sitting here with rubbish from the previous day. Municipal workers do not assist to keep the place clean,” she said.
Customers also complained.
“It is difficult because now customers are moving to other places to get braaied meat because we are no longer in a place that provides the experience people want,” Mvila said.
The now halted Marina Glen project consists of upgrades to roads and stormwater drains, landscaping, beautification of the area, improving braai and seating facilities, access control, waste receptacles, ablution facilities, fencing and electricity installation.
Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said they had assumed BCM did not require an environmental certificate.
Bulelwa Ganga of Duncan Village, who is now based at Buccaneers parking lot, said she had to stop braaiing in June because she was struggling to make money. Ganga ended up running a small business selling snacks in the township, but recently returned with the hope of making money for the Christmas season.
Regular customers are hoping the metro will be able to deliver in time for the festive season.
Siya Louw, from Greenfields, said Ebuhlanti had always served as a go-to place where he had fun.
“I used to kick-start my weekend there with braai meat.” He said the progress of the upgrade had been disappointing. “I used to kick-start my weekend there with braai meat,.” he said.
Quigney Ratepayers’ Association chair Satish Nair said it came as a surprise that the metro would start such construction without adhering to all environmental regulations.
“This will have an impact on the number of people who come to enjoy our beaches during the festive season,” he said.
Nair said the situation was a disaster waiting to happen in Little Mauritius due to the lack of facilities, constant traffic jams and children running in between cars.
Baysville sector 1 community policing forum chair Lindsey Pollock said they were extremely unhappy about the traffic congestion and illegal public drinking.
“[Last] weekend, it was completely packed, then they parked up McJannet Drive, all the way up John Bailie.
“There must have been at least 50 vehicles and they were on the road and drinking and throwing litter. At the end of the day, it devalues our property,” she said.
Ngwenya said the aim was to ensure that the area was ready before the festive season.
“Unfortunately, things have not gone according to our original schedule but we will push as much as we can to make progress,” he said.
Ngwenya said the metro had agreed that SMMEs could use Little Mauritius temporarily.
“The relief is in the fact that the SMMEs are still able to operate and make a profit while people are able to have their braais.
“It’s not ideal in terms of space and traffic flow.
“It also poses a dilemma as the beachfront is a non-drinking zone so we are concerned about people mushrooming in spaces and parking and consuming alcohol,” he conceded.
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