Barbara Shingler

Barbara Shingler, the managing director of Ballito Estates, which manages buildings in the area, says the company usually has about 20 000 people booked for December.This number has declined by half since the tides.

"From our holiday lettings alone, we have lost R100 000.The beach is our main thrust and I am glad that people are now starting to realise that," says Shingler.

But she says: "The two positives that came out of this disaster are that people have realised that Ballito is an important tourist destination, and this is our chance to rebuild the beachfront."

Barbara Shingler of Ballito Estates said she was fielding dozens of calls from concerned flat owners and holiday guests.

"There has been serious damage to some flats. The April bookings will be affected but we hope that we will emerge from this relatively quiet time and be ready for the summer visitors," Shingler said.

Barbara Shingler, Chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Association of Managing Agents and the Managing Director of Ballito Estates, advised that Smith seek legal advice from a specialist in sectional title law.She said that all body corporates, regardless of how many members they had, should agree on an annual budget and stipulate a levy which would cover all property expenses, including rates, water, electricity and the maintenance of the property. Levies

"Everyone should be in agreement about this levy, and the body corporate must strictly manage the collection and implementation of these levies.There should also be a person or company to manage the books of the body corporate," Shingler said.

Barbara Shingler of Ballito Estates said she was fielding dozens of calls from concerned flat owners and holiday guests.

"There has been serious damage to some flats.The April bookings will be affected but we hope that we will emerge from this relatively quiet time and be ready for the summer visitors," Shingler said.

Portions of road in Umdloti and Umkomaas were washed away, cutting off some residents.