At 7.30am on Tuesday there were already more footprints on Cape Town’s Muizenberg Beach than there had been during the entire previous month. In the parking lot at Surfers’ Corner surfers waxed their boards, while dog-walkers, runners and other exercise enthusiasts wandered the shoreline. Some maintained social-distancing measures. Some did not.

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Monday, 1 February, that beaches, dams, rivers and public swimming pools will be reopened, subject to health protocols, South Africans seized the opportunity to return to the sand, soak up the sun and swim.

Beaches in the Eastern Cape and along the Garden Route have been closed to the public since 16 December 2020. And, on that day, it was also announced that KwaZulu-Natal beaches would be closed for public holidays during the festive season, as well as on 2-3 January.

A happy beach-goer at Kings Beach, Port Elizabeth, enjoys his return to the ocean. (Photo: Supplied)

A surfer observes the waves at Surfers Corner in Muizenberg, Cape Town, on the morning of 2 February 2021. (Photo: Victoria O’Regan)

All beaches across South Africa – except those in the Northern Cape – have been closed since 29 December 2020, when the ban was extended further. 

While there have been cases of die-hard beach and surf lovers taking chances at remote locations, South Africans have generally refrained from putting their feet in the sand. Some managed to bypass the law – taking advantage of a loophole in the regulations that allowed people with fishing permits to walk the shore. 

Craig Paul, co-owner of the 45-year-old Lifestyle Surf Shop in Muizenberg, welcomed the easing of regulations, saying he hoped an increase in beach-goers and surfers would help business. 

Locals have flocked to beaches and tidal pools around the Cape peninsular after the reopening of beaches. (Photo: Victoria O’Regan)

Children build sand castles while adults recline on beach chairs on Camps Bay beach, Cape Town, on 2 February 2021. (Photo: Victoria O’Regan)

“It’s great,” said Paul. “It’s wonderful to see everyone enjoying the ocean again – Dalebrook, St James – people are just out here loving life.”

Glen Thompson, a surf historian and avid surfer, used to ride waves at breaks along the south peninsula or Atlantic Seaboard. But after contracting Covid-19 in December, Thompson said he had “welcomed” the beach ban, “in terms of reducing spaces of contact and exposure”.

Beaches are now reopened to the public. (Photo: Supplied)

Following the reopening of beaches by President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africans seize the chance to return to the ocean. (Photo: Victoria O’Regan)

“I saw the public health matter as first priority,” he said. “In the short term, a retreat from the desire to jump in the water is a long-term gain.”

Thompson added that while he was “glad” the beaches are now open to the public, he will remain cautious and plans to avoid crowds. However, he echoed Craig’s remarks on what the repealed restrictions will mean for businesses.

“The businesses on the Muizenberg and Blouberg beachfronts – for example, retail commerce and surf commerce – will hopefully start up again,” he said.

On Camps Bay beach, a lifeguard turned his back to the water and walked between the many beach chairs and red umbrellas that dotted the sand. The familiar jingle – “A lolly to make you jolly” – of the ice cream seller was heard. Children, on their stomachs, dug sand castles while their parents reclined on beach chairs.

An increase in beach-goers is likely to benefit small business. (Photo: Supplied)

Locals enjoy a swim at St James tidal pool in Cape Town on 2 February 2021. (Photo: Victoria O’Regan)

Avid beach-goer and surfer Jenna Venter said she was “just so relieved to have things feel a bit more normal”, on her morning beach walk. 

Matt Maxwell, a professional waterman who focuses on kitesurfing, hydrofoiling, surfing and stand-up paddling, spent his morning surfing at Melkbosstrand. Maxwell welcomed the amended restrictions, adding that because of the ban there were no competitions over the season, and many have been postponed to late 2021.

“During the season all the main sponsors, brands and magazines come to Cape Town,” he said. “But there has been none of that.”

Latest Covid-19 stats

South Africans seized the opportunity to return to the sand, soak up the sun and swim at Kings Beach, Port Elizabeth. (Photo: Supplied)

A group of surfers take a shower after their morning surf at Muizenberg beach, Cape Town, on 2 February 2021. (Photo: Victoria O’Regan)

South Africa has passed the peak of the second wave, with the country now experiencing its lowest daily increase in Covid-19 infections since December 2020, said Ramaphosa in his national address on Monday.

As of 1 February, the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases identified in South Africa was 1,456,309 with 2,548 new cases. There were a total of 105,888 active cases in the country. The Western Cape has seen 269,819 cases, the Eastern Cape 192,118 cases, and Gauteng 389,230 cases. DM

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