NATURIST couple, Athol Lutge and Amanda Foster, presented their proposal to have 500 metres of the Mpenjati Nature Reserve declared as nudist friendly at the Hibiscus Coast Municipality council meeting held at the HCM council chambers on Tuesday.

HCM is currently in the process of making a decision on whether to accept the proposal or not. The municipality has engaged with different communities on this matter and has even held a debate session open to the public.

“Research has been done in regards to the claims by the applicant that having such facilities may contribute to growth of tourism and therefore economic spin-offs for the South Coast. Secondly, in considering the fact that currently HCM by-laws prohibit bathing or even going around our beaches naked it became necessary to conduct public participation processes to get the views of the public,” said Max Mbili.

He said that research conducted showed that there is indeed a possibility of growth in tourism as there is a growing number of naturists all over the world and having such an officially declared beach on the South Coast would attract these people as they would feel safe from being prosecuted.

The research also showed that most of those who are naturist are mainly those from living standards measurement (LSMs) six to 10.

What also transpired during the debate is that there is a need for input from KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife and Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) as it may have some jurisdiction within the identified area.

The report on the application was tabled to full council and council resolved that it required more time to weigh the pros and cons of a nudist beach within HCM.

A final decision will be taken at the next council meeting which will be in October. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THE NUDIST BEACH.