THE landmark decision by the Hibiscus Coast Municipality to green light a nude beach has sparked the idea to explore the same in uMhlanga. Serge Pavlovic, board member of the SA National Naturists Association (Sanna), told Northglen News the idea of exploring a nudist beach in uMhlanga was a ‘definite possibility’.

This week it was announced that a 500m portion of Mpenjati Beach, on the south coast, had been declared as a nudist beach.

For a number of years uMhlanga Beach, near the Lagoon end, has been used by naturists as an unofficial nudist spot. But Pavolvic, chairman of the Western Cape chapter of the association, said following the Hibiscus Coast approval, uMhlanga could be the next nudist beach.

“There is definitely a possibility of looking at the nude beach in uMhlanga. Right now we are working with the municipality on Mpenjati Beach with the view of putting up signage and zoning,” he said.

He added claims that a nude beach would attract sex perverts and paedophiles were unfounded.

“Rape and sexual crimes occur throughout society. It does not mean a nude beach will suddenly attract perverts,” he said.

uMhlanga Ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, echoed Pavlovic’s sentiments but said:”Not every beach is ideal for nudists. Hundreds of people walk that route between uMhlanga main beach and the lagoon. There have been no problems in my time as a councillor with the naturists that use the stretch of beach.

“If there is a formal application made then we will deal with it, but I think we should let sleeping dogs lie. uMhlanga is not conducive to a nudist beach,” de Boer concluded.