Once a Defiant Tradition, Now a Mystery: Where Were Durban’s New Year Beach Crowds?
The traditional New Year's Day beach gatherings in Durban attracted far fewer people than in previous years, if this image snapped at South Beach is anything to go by.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
In years gone by, particularly during Apartheid when those divisive 'Slegs Blankes / Whites Only' restricted the prime swimming beaches from most South Africans, New Year's Day would see the rules being flouted – because really, how were cops going to arrest hundreds of thousands of people for breaking bylaws.
Yet, this year – 30 years after the fall of the 'Boerewors Curtain', there were far fewer beachgoers than had been expected for first day of the year.
Fewer than than half that of the crowd that showed up on December 16 were on South Beach yesterday, January 1. Perhaps it was the unconvincing weather, but that never stopped them in the past, or perhaps it was a consequence of hard partying the night before.
Who knows?
DAILY NEWS
A lifeguard on a jetski checks on the safety of a bather who had ventured out a little further than the rest of the beachgoers at South Beach, Durban, on New Year's Day 2026.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Holidaymakers squeeze past police vehicles on Durban's North Beach yesterday (January 1, 2026).
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Lifeguards keep watch over a much quieter New Year's Day crowd than in many years.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Shower time at Durban's North Beach as bathers was the salt and sand off their bodies yesterday (January 1, 2026
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Lifeguards on jet skis and a paddleboard keep a watchful eye on those beachgoers who did venture into the water at South Beach. Durban, yesterday (January 1, 2026).
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers