MORE than 100 000 visitors are expected to flock to East London beaches from all over the country over the festive season.

And the City is ready to host its guests. It announced its state of readiness on Friday, 9 December at the Metro Fire Station. Speaking about the plans for the festive season, the City's spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya, said: "We want to assure the public that we are prepared and ready for our visitors."

Metro emergency services would be working 24 hours a day.

This year's theme to welcome visitors is Rave but Behave. "We welcome people to come and have fun in the city but they should behave to ensure that they are safe while visiting," said Ngwenya.

Buffalo City's safety campaign has been organised together with the South African Police Service, which will be on guard at all city beaches and other areas. Other departments that will be part of the safety campaign are the City's traffic services, law enforcement, disaster management, community services, electricity department, amenities, fire and environmental services.

"Also on board is the provincial department of social development and department of health," added Ngwenya.

The amenities section would control crowds at Eastern Beach "which is a priority between 30 December and 2 January". Gonubie, Bonza Bay, Nahoon and Batting Bridge picnic site would also have controlled parking bays.

"We urge visitors to respect ratepayers in these areas [and] to use designated parking bays as there will be beach monitors on all beaches to safeguard their vehicles."

The beach monitors would be visible from 12 December until 4 January.

About the state of pools and other recreational areas, Ngwenya said the Waterworld and Orient Beach pools were 90 percent ready for operation and would be open in a week's time. Lifeguards would be deployed at all beaches and mobile toilets would also be set up. "Removable braaing stands at Marina Glen will be available."

To help with refuse collection, the City has added five new trucks with three already in operation. "The City is in a process to recruit more personnel to clean up on two rotational shifts."

Ngwenya urged the public to help by cleaning up their glass and other refuse as cleanliness was everyone's responsibility.

"There will be road closures at certain beaches as the need arises," he added.

Upcoming events would include the Christmas Carnival, the Buy'elekhaya Jazz Show, the Ironman and Africa Open Golf Tournament, which would also have visible policing and traffic services. "We want people to stay in the city and enjoy the local talent to which they will be exposed at these events."