What is it About the Sea?

by Jael SC · January 17, 2017

Kelsay Correa reflects on the powerful allure of the sea

What is it about the sea? This summer we were holidaying on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. It’s not my favourite place to holiday but as I had left it too late to book anywhere else I accepted a generous offer when it came along.

But something sickened me. It was the ostentatious display of greed. Houses as far as one can drive, competing for sea views. Huge mansions squeezed next to one another, all challenging architects’ abilities to ensure every room faces the sea. What is it about the sea?

But here’s the bit that got my back up: most of these houses were empty. Their owners were absent.

These houses, which are likely bigger than the owners’ homes in Jozi — so that the whole family can use it for two and a half weeks a year) are empty for most of the year! In a country that is short of housing. I was beginning to see Julius Malema’s point about land reform…

At least these residences create employment for the mostly poor inhabitants of the area. But there is an irony in that.

People from simple, at best, homes are paid to wake in the early hours, take public transport and arrive at their places of employment, on time, to keep these houses clean on the off-chance that the owners decide on a whim to visit the sea. So the people who clean and maintain these stately homes spend more time in them than the owners themselves.

What is it about the sea? White privilege is what it is. Yes, yes, I know, these absentee owners worked hard for it…

What is it about the sea? It can’t be about the beaches? There are much better beaches in other parts of the country, and in neighbouring countries. The beaches here are the size of postage stamps and most are not suitable for swimming or long walks. So why the overpopulation then? Because it is the most accessible sea-point to Jozi?

What is it about the sea? Don’t think that I purely bemoan the situation on the KZN coast. There are many places around the world that offer similar refuge to city dwellers. It is the juxtaposition of the socioeconomic context that makes the situation so stark here.

Then there’s the litter on the beaches. I was at the seaside with two “littlies” who refuse to wear shoes, so I was very aware of hazards for small feet. The amount of broken glass around the place was shocking. Presumably those who indulge leave their empties behind, shattered.

Perhaps the locals enjoy it when holidaymakers arrive with their big cars and trailers and behave as if they own place — because they do own the place, in a manner, and certainly behave as if they do.

The two ladies I overheard in the pharmacy didn’t seem to enjoy the holidaymakers. One of them was in a wheelchair and hadn’t been able to find an empty disabled parking bay. I hadn’t seen any other disabled people around.

Indigenous to the area are vervet monkeys. They forage daily for food, struggling more and more as the development of human housing continues unabated.

There’s not much of their natural habitat left but they are considered the pests.

What is it about the sea?

Kelsay Correa is a member of the Southern Cross’ Editorial Advisory Board.