Drinking and driving costs lives!

By Sodwana Bay

This is an Opinion piece (Persuasive/Argumentative) and not Expository article. Now I know this is a super sensitive topic that no one ever wants to hear or talk about , especially during the holiday season, but this is still a real thing We are not implying that all people who drink are Drunk Drivers.  We understand that there is people who drink and still keep the law by being responsible and not drive while under the influence.   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHsPh6aJTFk[/embedyt]   More than 50% of motorists on the road are under the influence everyday and this percentage just sky rockets over the holiday season? For the person that drinks and drive; their life doesn’t matter to them when they decide to get behind the wheel of a car. Personally I have no idea what goes through a person’s head when they are drunk, because I know my limits and never get more than just a little tipsy! The worst part is I can’t even drive. The holiday season is a time to let your hair down and let loose of all the stresses of the year, sadly most people turn to alcohol to take the “edge off” although alcohol stresses me up even more! People wanna forget all their problems and woes, even if its just for a little while. That is your choice and privilege. It’s not a right that you have to obey or exercise just like driving. You have a privilege to drive but do not take that privilege for granted and put others lives in danger! Every single alcohol beverage that I have drank or seen advertised always tells you to drink responsibly. Most people start with saying – ok I can stay for 1 beer or a 1 glass of wine and then I need to get going, more often than not 1 becomes 2 and then 3 and before you know it you can barely stand straight up let alone drive, yet you still didn’t make plans to call an uber, a sober friend or a shuttle service to drive you home safely, sometimes you are lucky enough to get home, know idea of how you got there but your car is in the drive way, so you start getting confident and tell yourself you have done this before countless times, but 1 day there is this momentary relapse – you pass out behind the wheel, just for a second and when you finally wake up – your dead, you have killed a family, you or your victims have been paralyzed or lost limbs, the family has lost their car, maybe they have insurance, maybe they don’t. You know you cannot admit what you have done, because that could mean hefty fines, jail time, banned from traveling internationally, you can’t find work etc. So you lie, you say you weren’t drunk maybe try pay a few people off, but will the guilt torment you or will you laugh it off and stand proud of getting away with attempted murder/murder! We have a similar story to tell! 1 Morning we were taking 5 dogs (4 were puppies at the time) and 1 cat to the vet, we were starting to celebrate that we were so close to the Vet (just 10km away) and we were excited to spend the day at a popular game reserve while our pets were being sterilized. When a young driver swerved into our lane , at first we thought there might be a service gate up ahead, but that was not the case, the crash was severe and we could barely get out of bed for 2 weeks, our pups were so scared, 1 pup was flung into the windscreen, and thankfully only has 2 broken toes and lost her 2 toe nails, the worst is we were unable to seek medical attention as we would lose our pets. When we tell people today we were in a head-on collision the first thing people do is examine us with their eyes top to bottom! Some try hide it, but we were 1 of the very few lucky people to walk out without any serious injuries, God definitely had his hand on us that day, unfortunately the other driver did not wear a seatbelt and suffered much more severe injuries. They deny it was their fault, but there is circumstantial evidence suspecting alcohol was involved. It really hurts to know that are young society is made up of alcoholics and that’s what we are teaching the next generation to do as well. When will this end… Next time you think of getting behind the wheel even after 1 beer, think twice, think if another drunk driver drove into your family and harmed them how would you feel and what would you do? That is what you could be doing to someone else’s family. Next time you get behind the wheel think twice do I want to be a murderer/attempted murderer and a thief or can I try make a plan to get home someway else!   [wp-review]


Get through it the right way.

By Sodwana Bay

It so important to understand why God has chosen this path for you, and not too get stuck with the circumstances around you. Like when Peter was called to step out of the boat – true to his character Peter responded to the call. So, with us we also sometime unwilling sign up for life’s challenges; simply by just being willing to live. When God moves – we need to learn how to follow. Although, we do not know where – why and how; we need to comprehend Gods extreme obsession with us. Like a good Father our God will not take us into harm; if He knows we can’t handle it, he won’t take us there. So, if you in it – You will get through it! The Israelite’s had a 40 Day journey from Egypt to paradise which turned into a 40 year roaming nightmare. I don’t think that was Gods intention or dream for his people. The same with us – God only wants the best… We might not understand things now; when we are in the crux of things it’s not so easy to be happy or smile. It sucks! Why do you think God had the Cloud and Fire? Firstly, the Cloud and Fire was there to show His people His physical nearness. These two signs represented God as whole… Secondly, the Fire and Cloud taught them to blindly follow without any questions – no matter what. When the Cloud or Fire moved they had to blindly pack up camp and move. They did not know where to next or for how long. All they knew was – We must Go!   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLXQ9CQLR4uYtVqU1TnevAGCh2YUtgBnFb&layout=gallery[/embedyt]   It is in these troubled times of uprooting us when our dear Father wants to teach us the most important lesson of all… God is always Good and God will never leave us! He is crazy in love with us… Our God is faithful till the end!!!  


We are taking back what was stolen – OUR LIVES!

By Sodwana Bay

Our Jericho – Breaking down the walls… I seriously thought that I would have handled this much better but to be honest, this head-on collision really ripped me to core.  Yes, we are supposed to be grateful that we walked out of the crash without any major injuries. The sad thing which saddens me the most is how after the crash we were just shunned… what has this world come to – I am sure there was humans evolved – Now We are just a case number, a sad statistic of the blatant  disrespect of the guilty.   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8WjmClafFI[/embedyt]   This video is where we said “Enough is enough!” – We are important – We are Human – We are not going to be a statistic anymore – We are Rising up! We are marching around our Jericho’s walls. We taking our lives back and moving on. We must believe that God will take care of all our needs… the evil one has stolen again but God will give back a 1000 fold… God is our provider. God is our vengeance… Lord, we pray in your mighty name for understanding to all who is involved. We tear down – break – kick – cut down any lies and deceit in your name. We lay the other driver at your feet – you know how scared this young man must be at the moment. We ask that the TRUTH will be revealed! We bind the minds of those who are lying and trying to be deceitful! We pray for your mercy and grace to be sufficient to wipe our shame… We pray this in your mighty name = In name of Jesus Christ! AMEN! Amen Amen!   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLXQ9CQLR4uYt2cybCMp58dxy-6n2ygY2v[/embedyt]


Sodwana Bay MAP on Google

By Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay Map Sodwana Bay National Park  is one of South Africa’s BEST Holiday destinations with loads to do and see. Located in the lush Dune Forests of Kwa-zulu Natal and nestled inside the boundaries of a World Heritage site you surely will enjoy every moment of your stay here.  Famous for Scuba Diving and Fishing, Sodwana also offers loads of fun things to do like Quad rides – Horse Riding, Turtle tours and much more! Ask us how > info@sodwanabayinformation.co.za


Crocodiles of Sibaya Lake

By Sodwana Bay

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJTWkdjcXJw[/embedyt] Wow – what an awesome video! An epic video made up of all the crocs we have found in Lake Sibaya so far! Our favorite thing to do besides going to the beach and snorkel is going to the lake and admiring the wild life that lives just next door to us! Lake Sibaya is sort of like our free nature reserve that we get to visit whenever we feel like it. It feels like home!  


Consultation on the Draft IMP kicks off – iSimangaliso Wetland Park

By Sodwana Bay

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority (iSimangaliso Authority) hereby invites interested and affected parties to provide input and comment on the draft Integrated Management Plan (IMP), relevant to the years 2022-2031. The IMP is a strategic framework plan for decision making that has been drafted in terms of the World Heritage Convention Act 1999 (Act No.49 … Consultation on the Draft IMP kicks off Read More » Source: Consultation on the Draft IMP kicks off – iSimangaliso Wetland Park