On the beaches north of Durban, some South Africans are already getting into the holiday mood as the first crowds start arriving for the long summer break.
Towards sunset, the bars and restaurants overlooking Ballito’s seafront have been filling up fast this week.
But the new Omicron variant, now driving a fourth wave of infections through the country, is causing deep concern in this small holiday town in KwaZulu-Natal province – as well as frustration for businesses hit by the new wave of international travel bans.
A huge annual party for school leavers, known as Rage, was cancelled in Ballito at the last minute this week.
