Clouds and a spot of rain could not keep the traditional December 16 crowds away from Durban's beaches yesterday.
Hundreds flocked to New Beach and South Beach to enjoy the first public holiday of the festive season.
Durban metro police were deployed along the Golden Mile but metro police spokesman Senior Superintendent Eugene Msomi said there were no serious untoward incidents.
Most of the up-country holiday-makers began their journey to the province early yesterday.
I-traffic KZN, the real-time CCTV traffic monitoring system on national roads in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, reported that, between 9am and 10am, at least 1250 cars an hour were passing through the Mariannhill toll plaza and into Durban.
KZN health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo and health department head Sibongile Zungu issued a joint statement yesterday urging holiday-makers to behave responsibly.
They said: "Don't allow a few minutes of what appears to be 'fun' to spoil the rest of your future. Unprotected sex could lead to an unplanned pregnancy, STIs or HIV. Abstain or to use condoms. Don't abuse drugs and alcohol."
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