PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
14 September 2021

Discover Our Pride, Our Heritage: USCT shares 7 iconic experiences to enjoy on the KZN South Coast this month

This September is the perfect month to get out and explore the country’s many historically-significant cultural experiences in celebration of Heritage Month. With its scenic beauty and a wealth of culture and heritage experiences, the KZN South Coast is a great place to start.

“South Africa is rich with diverse culture and heritage offerings, many of which can be found along the KZN South Coast,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT). “In line with this year’s World Tourism Day theme ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’, we’re showcasing the area’s key culture and heritage experiences from the coast through to the hinterland. Through this, we aim to grow and expand tourist footprint to showcase our destination’s diverse offerings while bringing people together through knowledge, understanding and mutual respect.”

South Coast heritage sites to visit

1. Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre

Discover the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom with a visit to the Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre which offers an authentic cultural experience. This notable arts and heritage facility, established in 2007, preserves and shares the rich history and culture of the Zulu nation. The centre allows visitors to experience this unique history through artwork, dance, seminars and musical performances.

2. iSivivane seNkosi uShaka

The iSivivane seNkosi uShaka is a traditional pile of stones left by Zulu warriors as a way to honour their ancestors. Each warrior would spit on a stone and add it to the pile as they passed. This Umzumbe-based stone pile dates back to 1828 when King Shaka himself came through the area leaving the isivivane. Guests can participate in this significant cultural ritual, leaving a part of themselves on the KZN South Coast forever.

3. Nyandezulu Experience

This guided tour takes visitors across the Ntantana Mountain overlooking the 80m-high Nyandezulu Waterfall. Picnics are then enjoyed in the shade of a wild fig tree while taking in the views. There’s also an audience with a sangoma, or a visit to a local tavern en route, before passing the Shembe Church atop the holy Mdlungwana Mountain, and enjoying a lazy lunch alongside the river.

4. KwaXolo Caves

This pristine range of caves, just inland of Margate, has preserved San paintings that are over 100 000 years old. This stunning piece of African history is now open to visitors through the KwaXolo Caves Adventures. This is a steel cable-and-rung system whereby visitors are harnessed are led by a tour guide along the mountainside safely to the caves.

5. KwaNzimakwe Cultural Experience

KwaNzimakwe is a beautiful rural village between Mpenjati Nature Reserve and Ezinqoleni. Visitors can participate in art and craft making while learning about the rich cultural history through a guided tour. This includes walkthrough leading across a mountain with spectacular views of the area.

6. São Joao Monument

The KZN South Coast has an interesting European maritime connection with a history dating back to the 1500s. In 1552 the São Joao was travelling back to Portugal from India when it ran aground near Port Edward during a storm. It’s believed some of the Portuguese survivors assimilated with local tribes and this strong Portuguese connection is celebrated through festivals, food and commemorative tributes. Visitors to Port Edward can visit the São Joao Monument which was erected in commemoration of those who died in the Sao Joao shipwreck.

7. The Red Desert Nature Reserve

Just 10km outside of Port Edward is the KZN South Coast’s unusual claim to fame – the world’s smallest desert! At just 200m in diameter, and 11ha in total, the Red Desert is a combination of small hills and valleys in naked red soil. Archaeological artefacts, dating back millions of years, have been found in the desert.

To find out more about the KZN South Coast heritage sites, Heritage Month celebrations and all the tourism offerings, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores, or visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za. Alternatively, visit the ‘South Coast Tourism’ Facebook page, or follow @infosouthcoast on Twitter. To view the tour packages and specials, visit the USCT ‘Specials’ page at www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/specials/. For more information, follow the ‘Ugu Film Festival’ Facebook or visit www.uguff.org.

/ENDS

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(Images: Supplied by USCT)

iSivivane seNkosi uShaka

KwaNzimakwe Experience

KwaXolo Caves

Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre

Nyandezulu Experience

The Red Desert Nature Reserve

São Joao Monument

About Ugu South Coast Tourism
Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) is the official destination management organisation of the Ugu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The Ugu District comprises four local municipalities that include Umdoni, Umzumbe, Umuziwabantu and Ray Nkonyeni. USCT’s mandate is to grow tourism within the KZN South Coast. This involves implementing marketing and development initiatives that are aimed at showcasing the diverse offerings and experiences of the South Coast as tourist destination. A board of directors oversees USCT, headed by CEO, Phelisa Mangcu.

About KZN South Coast
Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom’, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches, and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title for ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to a number of high-profile events including the The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.

Issued on behalf of: 
Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT)

Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications

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