MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

ABYC Eviction – A Victim of a National Purge?

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The Meerensee Ski-Boat Club in Richard’s Bay is going through the same woes that started with the Algoa Bay Yacht Club.

According to a report in their newsletter the MSBC were given an ultimatum to increase their monthly rental to over R50 000 a month, for twelve months, and then permanently vacate the property.

MSBC’s view of the meeting with the municipal team was that they were very unpleasant and dismissive.

As pointed out by MSBC though, the municipality they hold all the aces as the club is on municipal land. It is said that the Richard’s Bay municipality is targeting every Club in the area: Rugby, Cricket, Bowls, Kayak, Yacht and Horse Clubs, except the Soccer club.

The newsletter says; “But I must also tell you that it’s not just our local municipality being unpleasant or vindictive to us. It’s happening country wide. Every club on public municipal grounds from here to Timbuktoo is being targeted. Apparently, it’s a government driven program.”

The Zululand Yacht Club and RBSBC have now joined forces with MSBC in this matter.

MyPE hears of local clubs being told that they MUST produce senior Committee members of colour by a certain time or face eviction – in a climate of dwindling membership this is a well nigh impossible ask!

Closer to home MyPE hears that moves are underfoot by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to formalise their 2 700 odd leases that they have with various entities. Included in these are the four lifesaving clubs that have been on a peppercorn rental for years – most of whom occupy what is seen as prime beach front land.

Add the yacht clubs up and down the country – Point Yacht Club, Royal Natal Yacht Club, East London Yacht Club, Buffalo River Yacht Club, Mossel Bay Yacht Club and Royal Cape Yacht Club – to the Zululand Yacht Club and we have a sinister connotation creeping in that could further ignite this conflict and spell the death of watersport along the coastline.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.