Spring has Sprung: With Great Weather comes Great Responsibility.

Today marks the official start of Spring, and it’s steadily downhill to a scorching summer, holidays, and general end-of-year-debauchery from here. With having been snuggled up indoors for much of winter, summer tends to bring the ‘sun’s out, buns out’ mentality to many.

We bid farewell to gluhwein and roasted marshmallows, and usher in the braais, pool parties, beach days and the “sure, I’ll stay for one more” evenings with family/colleagues/friends.

The summer months see far more bravery than their winter counterparts, and while we are all for dutch courage and making “hold my beer” memories, we like to  promote somewhat civilised behaviour in accordance with what society expects from us. And just in case you thought society doesn’t know how we like to have fun, here are some actual bylaws of our country. From the weird and wonderful, to the seemingly obvious, to the downright ridiculous – they’re all here!

Just when you thought you’d found the perfect spot to slaughter…

Cape Town - “No animal may be killed, skinned or slaughtered in a public park without the written permission of the director of City Parks.”

Johannesburg - “No person may shoot, trap or in any way injure or interfere with, any animal, bird or fish in a municipal camping ground.”

There truly is no such thing as a ‘free ride’…

Johannesburg - “No person travelling upon a cycle, coaster, sled, roller skates or similar device may cling to another moving vehicle on a public road.”

Understandable with the parking shortage, to be honest…

Cape Town – “No person shall in a public place reside in a motor vehicle for longer than 24 hours.”

On bathing suits and birthday suits…

Johannesburg - “No person using a public swimming facility shall wear swimming gear which has the colour resembling the wearer's skin colour.”

Cape Town - “No person may in a public place appear nude or expose his or her genitalia, except in areas where nudity is permitted by the city.”

Cape Town - “No person shall bring into a public swimming pool any motor vehicle inner-tube, floating mattress, canoe or other similar object.”

 
This really narrows down missile launch sites….

Johannesburg – “No person may fly a kite, throw stones, use a bow and arrow, or by any means discharge any missile upon, over or across any public road.”

In case you’re into rogue gardening….

Cape Town- “Any tree or shrub planted in a public road shall become the property of the city.”

Or have pets hoping to get in on some party action…

Johannesburg - “Any authorised official may take into custody any dog which overturns, damages or tears any refuse receptacle or refuse bag.”

Johannesburg - “No person may keep a dog which howls, whimpers, or has any other habit which causes a disturbance to inhabitants of the neighbourhood.”

It well and truly takes all kinds to make the world. Possibly the strangest part of these by laws is that there is a reason for their existence. So, on this Spring day, take a moment to reflect on whether you are perhaps one of the reasons these kinds of laws exist, and if you are…we’re here for you.