Save eShowe

I AM not alone in my distress and concern to learn that, owing to lack of funds, the imminent closure of the Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk, the first item to pop up if you go onto any website mentioning eShowe tourism or attractions, looms.

I live in Cape Town and not many people here had heard about eShowe 20 years ago, but now the first thing people associate with eShowe is the Boardwalk!

It was a front runner in this field.

It was erected with private funding and set up as a great attraction which it has been, however, without combined effort from the municipality and department of nature conservation, it cannot continue being shouldered by private citizens.

However, the bigger picture reflects a neglected town with lack of maintenance, most evident in the public areas.

I spent my childhood in eShowe and, although my family have left, I have old family friends there and I visit yearly.

Over the years it has deteriorated slowly, but my last visit, two weeks ago, has really highlighted my concern around the slow death of what was a vibrant, unique town.

The swimming pool is empty and has been for several years.

It used to be the highlight of our lives, set in the lush grounds, we picnicked a whole day under trees.

As we got older, it was the social hub of our summer holidays meeting friends lying on our towels watching the crack divers and talent.

Winter holidays was the tennis tournament. Young people from all over KZN came to play and it ended in a dance.

Many friendships and bonds grew from these times.

My stepfather started the Forest Noel which was a nativity play set in Bishops Seat.

The cars parked at the oval and, with candles and torches, we walked through till we came to the clearing.

In the dark, the play began and Mary emerged from the forest riding on a donkey and the angels and the narrator, who was hidden from view, told the story – magical.

The Zululand Show was another major event which kept people bustling about for weeks and months.

However, nostalgic as this sounds, these were all great events driven by the town Council and private people alike.

eShowe was a prosperous hub which offered a great quality of life.

Everyone is concerned about the economy, job creation and is desperate to keep businesses thriving.

eShowe has the infrastructure, the municipality and residents are letting it wither and die.

It needs a combined effort from every resident and government official to treasure the natural assets to sustain and rebuild this unique town to make it a worthy destination.

PATRICIA FRASER