PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
20 November 2023

KZN South Coast’s Agri Tourism Route expanded to including an exciting new stop

The development of rural tourism gives visitors a unique experience beyond the traditional sites. On the KZN South Coast, the Agri Tourism Route is one such offering, with the farmlands offering a chance for outdoor adventure and home-grown tastes. Now, the KZN South Coast has another addition to its popular Agri Tourism Route with the inclusion of Secret Sithela.

“We are delighted to welcome Secret Sithela as another valuable addition to our Agri Tourism Route,” said Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “The KZN South Coast has an abundance of agricultural land that is just waiting to be explored, and visitors will enjoy the beauty and unique farmland attractions of Secret Sithela.”

Secret Sithela is a 30-acre eco-estate in Munster, with 18 acres registered as a conservancy area named Kathleen Kinsey Nature Reserve after the founder’s mother. Owned by Rod and Jeanne-Louise Kinsey, the farm includes beautiful guest units for overnight stays, with the gardens a massive attraction. Since 2016, Jeanne-Louise has developed expansive herb, vegetable, and indigenous Secret Sithela gardens. Within five years she had manifested her dream of creating a flourishing food forest with guests able to request herbs and salad greens from the organic garden.

Jeanne-Louise hosts natural farming retreats including Earth Harmony Retreat, and the annual Farming Organic Food Festival. For those looking to take the farming skills home, there’s the Wild Foraging Workshop and the biannual four-day Natural Farming and Introduction to Permaculture Design Course based on a handbook by John Nzira.

“We are excited to join the SCTIE Agri Tourism route as we believe this will increase our exposure to those tourists and locals who are interested in a nature and climate-friendly holiday experience,” Jeanne-Louise. “Secret Sithela is a living natural library with so much to share about the joys of farming in harmony with nature, and we are passionate about sharing this knowledge with others. We also hope to bring more exposure to our sister project Khula Kanyekanye in nearby KwaNzimakwe consisting of 18 smallholder family food gardeners. We share knowledge, seeds, seedlings, friendship and food.”

She said, for those interested, Secret Sithela’s next four-day Natural Farming workshop is 17 to 20 November 2023, and bookings for December stays are already rolling in: “We hope to encourage more interest from our visitors in the natural, healthy, earth-conscious lifestyle that we promote. Next year we will be looking at introducing shorter, more affordable workshops on all topics related to sustainable, regenerative farming, and lifestyle.”

Secret Sithela joins the Agri Tourism Route, one of many epic adventures to be had on the KZN South Coast. With 11 quality golf courses found throughout the KZN South Coast, the ‘Golf Coast’ remains a favourite destination for both leisure and MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and events] destination! The subtropical climate and diverse natural landscape also set the scene for the ultimate in agri-tourism and extreme adventure.

Uncover all the adventure on the KZN South Coast by downloading the ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app, visiting the website, checking out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more! Don’t miss out on the action by following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Follow the hashtags #uncover #uncoverkznsouthcoast #uncoveradventure #kznsouthcoast

 

/ENDS

 

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The popular KZN South Coast Agri Tourism Route through the incredible farmlands has just added another stop – Secret Sithela.

  

Secret Sithela.

Secret Sithela.

Secret Sithela.

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 several 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 of ‘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 several high-profile events including The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.

 

Issued on behalf of:

South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)

Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications

For more information please contact:
Olivia Jones Communications
Cell: 083 653 1720
Email: media@oliviajones.co.za