Here was a town on its downward spiral. The waterfront of dilapidated buildings fallen into disrepair, where only the poorer citizens now resided. A once thriving metropolis, more businesses were closed than open. The boating industry itself, was just surviving, with most business owners downsizing. Several we spoke to were making as much as they could before an eventual departure for greener pastures.
As in Richards Bay, it was not safe for a woman to wander on her own, and no – one wore jewellery. Our next door neighbour related to us her experience of being accosted and threatened with having her fingers chopped off if her rings weren’t handed over.