Outcry as cops destroy sand art at North Beach
SAND sculptors have accused eThekwini metro police of depriving them of the means to earn a living by trashing their painstakingly created artworks yesterday.
Thobani Phungula, 23, who pays for his place in a shelter from the tips he gets from admirers of his sand sculptures at North Beach, said he had just completed a work when metro police arrived with spades and destroyed it. They threatened him with arrest for failing to produce a permit.
Phungula said he paid R30 for shelter every night.
“Tonight I will sleep on the street because I do not have money. I have not eaten at the shelter today.
“I have been hoping that I would make enough money to buy bread and polony, which has become part of our diet,” he said
“On a quiet day I make less than R40, so it becomes impossible to raise R150 for the exorbitant monthly permit. The only time I make better money is when eThekwini hosts major events such as Brics,” said Phungula.
The men, who have become part of the Durban beachfront scene, use wet sand to sculpt the popular beachfront attractions, in the shape of everything from castles to the Titanic.
Another sand sculptor, Thembinkosi Kolo from uMlazi, whose sculpture was also demolished, described the action as “barbaric” and vowed not to quit the job he is passionate about.
“It is unjust for the officials to behave this way. We do not rob anybody, we are just making an honest living. In fact, our work has helped to lure tourists and make Durban popular,” said Kolo.
“We do not ask visitors to pay for viewing our art; they do this on their own free will. The beach could look dull without our intricate and creative works,” he said.
“I am puzzled. Why all this harassment after we have done so much to promote the city to beachgoers? Our work is even showcased on their website and Metro magazines.
“We work under the blistering sun and strong winds. What we need from eThekwini is to give sponsorship as a token for permits,” Kolo said.
Bluff resident Lee Austin van den Heuvel was jogging when the drama unfolded and said he witnessed metro police destroying the sculptures.
“The people at the beach went ballistic when they saw this and they started yelling at the police to leave the sculptures alone.
“I also shouted at them to stop the demolition. I told them the sand belongs to the people of this country, not the municipality,” said Van Denheuvel.
“The municipality must be happy and should start paying those (artists) for the work they do in attracting tourists. We want to know from the municipality, who fed them supper and provided them with shelter last night?”
eThekwini spokesman, Thabo Mofokeng, said it was important for the area to be safeguarded.
By-laws stated that anyone owning a business should have a permit to do so.
The officials were enforcing a law, Mofokeng said.
“We understand that some people use the beachfront as the means to a livelihood and we would like to be sympathetic, but we also have to take into account the interests of other beach users.”