End of an era for Mimosa anglers?
For as long as 64-year-old Maruso Mofokeng can remember, people have been fishing for leisure or livelihood on the river bank before the entrance to the Mimosa Garden. This was a well-known sight to many Parys residents, who would recall anglers fishing at this popular spot day after day. But not anymore. About a month ago, things changed for these anglers. There is now a security point at the Mimosa entrance and they are no longer allowed there. For the senior Maruso, the river bank at Grewarlaan and the Hangbrug is too steep. Besides, what used to be known as the Feesgronde is now part of the Parys Golf & Country Estate, with controlled access. The Sandgat, near the Rotary Club, another popular fishing site for him and his friends, is constantly polluted with sewage running straight into the Vaal River time and again, he says.
When they could not fish at Mimosa anymore, most anglers moved to Oranje Street next to the 1912 pump station, but they are now “all cramped in one spot”. For this group of about 20, fishing means providing for their families. They say they were even allowed to fish through the hard lockdown months. “It changed when ‘soldiers booked in at the Mimosa’,” Maruso says. Some anglers are lucky enough to be able to pay for entrance to other fishing spots. But Maruso and his friends are frustrated at losing their ideal fishing spot. They have known it for so long and do not understand the reason for the decision; they say they did no harm. Maruso had worked for the municipality as the manager of the Mimosa Gardens for many years when its contract with Mr Johan Bester expired. He retired in 2015. “I know the boundaries and the fishermen were always allowed,” Maruso says. He adds that his calls and message to municipal management had got them nowhere but to find alternative fishing spots.
When the Gazette visited the security point this week, it was confirmed that no anglers are allowed to fish on the river bank at the Mimosa anymore.
The municipal spokesperson, Steve Naale, reacted to Gazette’s enquiry about the reason for the decision, saying “the municipality experienced serious challenges with people accessing Mimosa in high numbers and getting involved in uncontrollable heavy drinking and no compliance with Covid-19 regulations.” According to Mr Naale, the police had also complained about illegal activities going on at Mimosa. He said this was why the premises were closed off. He said the community services directorate “is working on improved measures, including general public safety and security to avoid Mimosa being one of the areas that will contribute negatively to the second wave of Covid-19.” He said the anglers and others would have to abide by the improved security controls at the Mimosa as it is still municipal property.
The Gazette recently reported on the problems at the Mimosa Gardens, which had been used to house the homeless temporarily during the hard lockdown. At first, everything went smoothly, but eventually, people from the street also moved into the restaurant area, creating a situation beyond control. The police received reports of drug abuse and prostitution on the premises. A decision was then taken that a clean-up should be done to end the intolerable situation. At a recent meeting, the Parys CPF again expressed their concern about the situation at Mimosa. For years, the Mimosa Gardens has been no more than the sad face of vandalism and shameful neglect. There is nothing left of the once classy restaurant and vibrant resort.
By Liezl Scheepers and originally published in the Parys Gazette