Residents of the suburbs of Isipingo Beach, Athlone Park, Amanzimtoti & Warner Beach enjoy a year-round holiday feel.
For those in search of golden miles, KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast has many to o¬ffer. With natural beauty, fauna and flora, lots to see and do, the 14km stretch from Isipingo Beach to Warner Beach is one of those secrets that residents keep to themselves and visitors return to time and again.
A coastline characterised by uninterrupted golden beaches, rickety railway lines, picturesque bridges, inviting lagoons, great surf and fishing, visitors and residents enjoy a year-round holiday feel that comes with plenty of sunshine, warm waters and a seaside lifestyle.
Just 20km south from Durban, the seaside town of Isipingo Beach is built on a high sandy ridge at the mouth of the Isipingo River. Popular among fishermen, Isipingo Beach is an industrial hub and an interesting mix of cultures, with mosques, temples and a monument marking Dick King’s grave. Isipingo Beach is also within putting distance of Amanzimtoti Country Club, where golfers can tee of¬ against spectacular seaside backdrops.
Just beyond Isipingo Beach lies Athlone Park, one of the more upmarket suburbs of Amanzimtoti, with fabulous stretches of beach, including Splash Waterworld and a tidal pool. Further south, Amanzimtoti embraces neighbouring suburbs including Doonside, Doon Heights, Kingsburgh and Warner Beach, all boasting spectacular sea views and a beach lifestyle that includes surfing, kitesurfing, paddle skiing, canoeing, beach walks, snorkelling, jogging and fishing. The nearby Aliwal Shoal is renowned for its diving, and the annual Sardine Run remains a highlight.
“My kids absolutely love the Waterworld!” says Josiah Magura, director, KM Plastics and Plastiserv Injection Moulding, who settled in Toti in 2004. “I came from Zimbabwe and started off¬ selling curios at the side of the road. When you’re an expat it often happens that the place you land in becomes your comfort zone, and Toti is this to my family. We wouldn’t change it for the world. Our two children were born here, go to exceptional schools and the morals they are taught are awesome. It took years of hard work, but now two businesses and 12 employees later, we feel completely local. Toti has grown a lot since I’ve known it, but I still love the fact that the mall, the schools, the beach, my work and the freeway are all less than five minutes away. When I get home, it’s quiet, laid-back with sea views!”
The area also o¬ffers plenty for nature lovers, including walking, hiking and biking in the many wildlife reserves and the opportunity to see birds, dolphins and whales. “Unlike the bustle of the North Coast, it’s so beautiful and untouched here,” says resident Calvin Naidoo. “There’s so much more flavour! It’s old school, there’s lots of nature, a stunning city, you get to really relax and the food is amazing.”
Lisa Boniface, attorney, Dykes van Heerden conveyancing attorneys, says, “It’s the people in Toti too who make it so special. They’re so welcoming! My partner and I took over the Toti branch about six years ago and our clients have become friends; it’s very family-oriented. We’re invited to everything from 70th birthdays to curry evenings. Our business in Toti has grown from three staff¬ members to about 14, and the property market here is very active.”
People are drawn to Toti as homes are well priced. There are good schools, lots of facilities, lots of industry and office parks. Buyers are getting finance easily, and with the plans for the new port, I can only see the area burgeoning. It’s a very special place.
-Lisa Boniface, Dykes Van Heerden Conveyancing Attorneys
Where to eat on KZN’s South Coast:
- Friends Restaurant on Kingsway: for traditional Portuguese cuisine
- The Toti Brewing Company: for a relaxed meal with great craft beer
- Four Walls: for delicious breakfast and lunch
- Indian Origin Family Restaurant at Warner Beach: for Indian-themed meals
- Giorgio’s at the View Boutique Hotel: for fusion-style cooking with Italian flair
- Dolphin Bowl: for delicious chicken wings
- The Buccaneers: for tasty cream prawns
- The Thirsty Whale: for fresh calamari
- Zanzibar: for great-tasting pizza
Where to stay on KZN’s South Coast:
- The View Boutique Hotel and Spa
- Protea Hotel Karridene Villa Spa
- Anchor Boutique Lodge
- 305 Guest House
- Ocean Hide-away
Schools on the KZN South Coast:
- Moyeni Pre-Primary School
- Amanzimtoti Primary School
- Amanzimtoti High School
- Kingsway High School
- Kuswag Skool
- Warner Beach Preparatory School
- Athlone Park Primary School
Why we love Galleria Mall:
Galleria Mall has been a thriving success ever since it was launched in November 2009. Situated on the sapphire coastline of Amanzimtoti, the mall combines a healthy offering of retail giants and exclusive boutiques, and is perhaps best known for its entertainment offering, which includes a popular ice rink, ten-pin bowling, go-karting, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, a games arcade, bumper cars and movies. Boasting one of the largest Facebook followings among malls in South Africa, Galleria offers 87,000m2 of retail space, 5,700 secure parking bays, a contemporary and easy-to-navigate layout and KwaZulu-Natal’s first H&M store.
Find out more at galleria.co.za.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
