An alleged "whites only" club at Vetch Beach, Durban, will be investigated by the eThekwini municipality at the request of KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu.
Mchunu said in a statement he was taken aback by this alleged behaviour.
“South Africans have come a very long way in terms of race relations and the discrimination of the black population in particular. The dawn of democracy in 1994 ushered a new era, when we thought the emphasis of race was behind us,” Mchunu said.
Zulu newspaper Isolezwe reported on January 4 that people had complained that it appeared "only white people" could visit the Durban Undersea Club and access the beachfront through the facilities.
According to Isolezwe reports, protesters stormed the watersports club, saying they wanted to become members, but were being denied access.
The club could not be immediately reached for comment by News24 on Monday morning.
The club's manager Paul Smit reportedly told Isolezwe that that section of the beach was for watersports and clubs were not admitting new members because they were at capacity.
Mchunu said he was disappointed to hear that people were prevented from enjoying themselves on this beach, even though they have money to pay.
“Any beach in our country is a natural resource that belongs to all the people of this country,” he said.
This incident is one of several recent alleged racial controversies, which included KZN realtor Penny Sparrow who called black beachgoers monkeys.
Source: News24
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