A Scottish naturist is behind ambitious plans to open South Africa’s first official naturist beach.
John Skene, originally from Bonnybridge, is trying to convince authorities to turn a beach near the picturesque Impenjati Nature Reserve into a hub for naked enthusiasts.
Until now, strict South African officials have turned down pleas for nudist beaches for fear of offending the public. But John hopes that by uniting some of South Africa’s naturist groups into a vocal lobbying organisation, authorities can be swayed.
John, 58, who developed the hobby after skinny-dipping in Scotland as a teenager, said: “There are some beaches that are used unofficially by naturists, but there’s never been a legal naturist beach in South Africa.
“Another group, called the Gauteng Naturists Association, asked me to find out if there was enough interest in setting up a naturist association in KwaZulu-Natal where I live. About 25 people came along to a meeting and we are planning to form a lobby group to see about getting beaches legalised.
“We need a test case to get one beach authorised and are looking to do that with Impenjati. We hope to eventually open about four or five.”
John says he’s spied the perfect location for his nudist colony a three-mile long strip of white sand in KwaZulu-Natal on the south-east coast. It’s unused by locals but for a few fishermen.
John, who moved to Africa for an energy job 30 years ago, says being a naturist suits the sub-tropical climate.
The dad-of-one said: “I used to go to the Carron Valley in Stirlingshire with friends when I was about 16. We’d go skinny-dipping in the burns and waterfalls up there. My naturism came from there. The weather is better here though!”
John runs The Hooting Owl guest house near the nature reserve and has already turned it into a mecca for nudists.
He said: “I’ve always advertised my guest house as naturist-friendly. Around 10 to 15% of my clients are naturists and overseas visitors are surprised that South Africa is so far behind when it comes to naturist tourism.
“All resorts that offer naturist breaks have to be out of the public eye, privately run and have boundaries that don’t overlook public roads.”
John and his fellow members have a difficult task ahead of them given the country’s strict laws on indecency. He said: “The law states you can be nude in public as long as no one complains you are being indecent. If someone does you can be arrested for indecency.
“We have used the Impenjati beach on a number of occasions and have never had any problems with locals or the authorities. Members of the public normally come up and chat to us.”
John has appeared in South African media since the group announced its plans. He said many people consider naturism as obscene, but said the group will look to change this view.
He said: “We want to educate people. People think it’s obscene and we need to change that.”
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