Kings Beach was a hive of activity at the weekend as skateboarding, five-a-side soccer and development surfing action brought the precinct alive.
A multimillion-rand brick-and-mortar initiative of the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), a skate park built in 2013 in the precinct reiterated the aim of the agency to develop, promote and preserve safe inner-city spaces as an ode to rape survivor Andy Kawa’s cause.
The businesswoman was abducted while walking along the beach on December 9 2010.
She was repeatedly raped by two men for 16 hours before managing to escape.
On Saturday, the scene where she was brutalised, in contrast, beamed with excitement from hundreds of youngsters for a thrilling day of fun.
MBDA corporate services executive Luvuyo Bangazi said the purpose of the event, part of the company’s 20th-anniversary programme, was to bring the focus on Kawa’s legacy.
“There are some elements of vandalism, that if not tackled, will result in a similar event to what happened in 2010,” Bangazi said.
“Andy Kawa fought hard for justice so something like that does not happen again.
“She lobbied for public spaces to be transformed into friendly, liveable spaces for families.
“By bringing people into this space and ensuring we develop something out of that tragedy, we’re able to highlight [Kawa’s advocacy].”
The fun outdoor event followed a breakfast at the St George’s Club in Central, where the MBDA and metro officials reaffirmed support for Kawa.
Ward 2 councillor Renaldo Gouws dubbed Kings Beach “the youth beach” as he applauded the development.
“It’s an enticing beachfront,” Gouws said.
“It’s the perfect location for the people of Nelson Mandela Bay to come.
“So, we need to build on that and not simply rest on our laurels.”
Gouws said urban decay had begun to set in at the skate park after the management of the facility returned to the municipality from the MBDA.
“You can see the decay, and we wouldn’t want [a repeat of] what happened to Andy.
“I’m in full support of this skate park precinct going back into the hands of the MBDA,” he said.
Bangazi and Gouws said that collectively safeguarding the city’s assets needed collaboration.
“The Beachfront Safety Sector Forum [was launched on December 1] to beef up security in the area.
“Unfortunately, infighting has led to residents being negatively affected.
“We’d want citizens to be our eyes and ears, not solely responsible, due to an increase in vandalism in public spaces,” Gouws said.
Bangazi said: “We should never shift our responsibility and mandate to citizens. They’re not there to be police.
“But it’s the same citizens who vandalise.
“That’s why we’re calling on them to report it when they see something wrong happening.
“All of us as citizens must take ownership of our space.”
Missionvale Care Centre Clinic sister Annie van der Merwe, who accompanied a group of children to take part in skateboarding, applauded the event.
“They enjoyed themselves,” Van der Merwe said.
“[Saturday] was a stunning day and it was nice to have a sense of community.”
Wilmarie Groenewald, an aftercare educator at Vistarus Mission Station in Sydenham, embraced the surfing outing.
“The main part of the whole thing was for the kids to have fun and enjoy themselves,” she said.
Eight teams took to the pitch to kick it out for a cash prize and bragging rights as the best five-a-side soccer side.
Fairview Action Arena sports director Matthew Potgieter said the day’s fun and games added immense value.
“Giving these boys an opportunity to utilise safe spaces like Kings Beach was incredible.
“It’s great when the public comes to the party, trusting that they’d get value for their time by being thoroughly entertained.
“Win or lose, everybody was happy and smiling.”
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