Technical failures at the Mahatma Gandhi Road Pump Station in Durban caused sewer overflows along Margaret Mncadi Avenue (previously known as Victoria Embankment) and into the Durban harbour.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo
Durban’s sailing community has urged the eThekwini Municipality to restore Durban’s sewage system and ensure the harbour and the beach at the Point are safe to use.
“We cannot let our beautiful city degrade and collapse,” were the words from Rear Commodore of Youth, Dr Thomas Funke from Point Yacht Club. He was furious that a pump station failure allowed raw sewage to flow along Margaret Mncadi Avenue (previously known as Victoria Embankment) and into the harbour since Monday. On Saturday, there was still an overflow onto the road outside the Durban High Court.
Durban's sewage crisis threatens sailing events. Wastewater flows into storm drains along the Durban Harbour from Margaret Mncadi Avenue (previously known as Victoria Embankment)
Image: Luke Wagner
Funke said the yacht club is preparing for the 505 KZN Regional Championship scheduled for June 2026. The club expects to host 15 boats, including six from Cape Town. Funke said this also hampers a sailing school at the Yacht Club for previously disadvantaged children, which is now facing an uncertain future.
“I am deeply saddened by the state of the water entering the harbour. Gone are the days when the marina was a pleasant place to be. We are now faced with a stink that has put so many people off the sport of sailing,” he said.
Funke said it is an environmental disaster that the city is allowing this to happen. He said Durban has a world-class facility and that just 12 months ago, it successfully hosted the Marriott International Mirror Class World Championships off Durban beach. He said international teams from Australia and the UK also competed.
“They said that this was the best sailing that they have ever had. Our city depends on it. A collapse in infrastructure has led to this, and it is unacceptable,” Funke said.
Sophie Thompson, a sailing enthusiast, said Lavender Creek entering the Durban harbour was severely polluted, with the water turning red from chemicals entering the sewer system. She said paddlers complained that with the tide, there’s bound to be high concentrations of E. coli in the water, while a swimming club shared how disgusting the water is in a WhatsApp group chat.
Thompson claimed that the sewer spills in Durban caused sailors to sell their boats or move them to cleaner waters. She said they were “desperately” trying to save the sport.
Lavender Creek in the Durban Harbour turned red after wastewater spilled into storm drains along Margaret Mncadi Avenue.
Image: Sophie Thompson
“We had the club's 134th birthday bash, and we all walked over the walkway to an unbearable stench and looked down at this blood red river flowing into the harbour, and out into the ocean. Can you imagine the marine life that has to contend with all of this?” she said.
“We were so excited to be receiving loads of visiting sailors, but again, another nail in the coffin. Durban used to be a contender for major sailing events - the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, to name one. We have put our hand up to host two major World Champs in the near future - the Flying Fifteen Worlds and the Laser Worlds,” she said.
Mandla Nsele, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, said progress has been made in restoring operations at the Mahatma Gandhi Pump Station after technical failures caused sewer overflows in the area. He said the municipality is making every effort to minimise disruptions and mitigate the impact on residents, businesses, and commuters in the affected area.
“Two pumps are now fully operational, which is expected to mitigate the overflows and improve conditions in the affected area. Technicians continue to work around the clock to ensure the safe and reliable restoration of the system. The situation will continue to improve as pumping capacity is progressively restored,” Nsele said.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za