THE Hibiscus Coast Municipality has pulled off a rather cheeky marketing coup by officially sanctioning South Africa’s first nudist beach at Mpenjati, near Trafalgar.

Even that most infamous of nudist beaches, Sandy Bay in the Cape, isn’t really quite ‘legal’.

HCM’s rather bold decision earned world-wide exposure (excuse the pun).

Many local ‘boobs and bums establishments (B&Bs) are now said to be gearing up to welcome hordes of hairy naturists, especially from Europe.

The irony is that Scottburgh beach has been a popular spot for nudists for ages. Beachfront shop owners report that the showers and the swimming pool are used virtually on a daily basis by local ‘naturists.

A few ‘mother grundies’ have complained, of course, but those responsible for policing the area obviously have more understanding of the benefits of naturism. So they wisely turn a blind eye.

We don’t want to be branded ‘copycats’, but perhaps Umdoni should really consider officially daring to go bare as well.

There is definitely a call for more nudity, if a recent experience by a Mail staff member is anything to go by.

He was driving on the highway near Hibberdene when he saw a police vehicle parked on the side of the road with someone standing outside speaking through the window. Only when he drove alongside did he see that it was a rather shapely young woman who was… totally starkers!

No, she wasn’t trying to find her way to Mpenjati. Unfortunately, she seemed to be suffering from some mental condition.

Our journalist and the lone police rescue unit officer wrestled with the dilemma of what to do. Offering her their own shirts or loading her into their vehicles could have led to all sorts of gossip.

Luckily, police backup arrived shortly afterwards and the young woman was transported to hospital.