Durban - Permission has been granted for a nudist beach on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, the Hibiscus Coast municipality said on Wednesday.

"The council meeting that sat [on Tuesday] approved the application for part of Mpenjati Beach north of the lagoon and Trafalgar Beach to be proclaimed as a nudist-friendly beach," spokesman Simon Soboyisa said.

This followed an application by the SA National Naturists Association (Sanna) and the KwaZulu-Natal Naturists Association.

The associations argued that a nudist-friendly beach would benefit South Africa's economy and boost property values in the area.

Soboyisa said the application tested the municipality's resoluteness in upholding the Constitution's provisions against unfair discrimination.

The application was met with resistance from some people, who argued the beach could lead to increased crime, promote promiscuity, and moral decay. Others argued that public nudity was against their culture and religion. These were found to be subjective assumptions.

"The council also considered that the research showed that such a proclamation has a potential of creating a marketing platform for Hibiscus Coast to attract national and international tourists, which will lead to job creation and economic development."

The municipality and the applicants would approach the department of economic development and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to secure the necessary permission for signage and the construction of ablution facilities.

This was necessary before the nudist-friendly beach could open.

"All of our bathing areas within our beaches are provided with security or law enforcement and yes, once this area starts operating, law enforcement will be provided," Soboyisa said.

SAPA