The proposed banning of ball games on Clifton’s fourth beach unleashed a social media outcry and sparked a debate on radio.
|||Cape Town - The proposed banning of ball games on Clifton’s fourth beach by the City of Cape Town unleashed a social media outcry and sparked debate on national radio on Monday, with many commentators saying the city council is being too interfering.
One tweet read: “They’re banning BALLS on Cape Town’s beaches now? Ice cream, dogs, balls. Go on, ban towels, you know you want to. And sand! It’s messy!”
Another said: “Hey City of Cape Town, instead of banning balls from Clifton Fourth, why not rather ban hookah pipes and YOLO caps?”
As one person noted: “Seriously? City of Cape Town wants to ban ball games at Clifton beach? Next they’ll stipulate what colour beach towels are required.”
On 5fm, the City of Cape Town’s proposal to regulate ball playing was likened to that of a “nanny state” by DJ Rob Vember.
The council is to consider a recommendation to prohibit all ball sports on fourth beach, including volleyball and bat-and-ball sports, and to set up a permitted ball sport area on Camps Bay Beach.
Ward councillor Beverley Schafer said it was the playing of formalised ball sports, such as corporate events or competitions, that had prompted the decision to regulate these activities with better signs.
Sporting events could still take place, but organisers would have to apply for a permit. Most events would be directed to Camps Bay, to a formalised ball playing area below the pump house.
While social media was abuzz, some called for a ban of ball games on all beaches.
“Ball games on the beach have posed quite a challenge when young adults play touch rugby in the designated swim areas, while kids are building sand castles or playing on the seashore (are at risk) of being run over or knocked by a ball,” said a concerned resident.
Cape Argus