PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
24 October 2023

Uncover this authentic township experience on the KZN South Coast

History, culture, and outdoor adventure converge to create the KZN South Coast’s latest tourism offering, the Gamalakhe Township Experience, which was launched on Friday, 20 October. Media and other invited guests enjoyed immersing themselves in the vibrant sights and sounds of Gamalakhe, before hiking into the beautiful surrounding areas.

“Gamalakhe is a township with a rich history that includes the sad reality of forced removals, but it also tells the story of the people’s tenacity and the wonderful local traditions that have emerged here,” commented Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “It’s important for us to retain this history while expanding our incredible township tourism offerings to benefit our local communities and visitors.”

 

Uncover the experience

Gamalakhe Township, located less than 10km from Margate and Shelly Beach, is believed to have started in the 1880s when Norwegian settlers drove local communities from their land. However, it was in the 1950s during the apartheid government’s forced removals that the township grew, as black residents were driven from the coast inland. Gamalakhe Township has developed over the years and is now home to a hospital, police station, schools, a shopping centre, and more!

The Gamalakhe Township Experience will include a visit to Tin Town, the oldest part of the township. Here, Mama Smangele Memela, who was forcibly removed from her home in Port Shepstone town centre in 1968 aged just 12, still resides. She will regale guests on the experience, taking them along her journey into a democratic South Africa.

More than just a lesson in the rich history, visitors will enjoy a ‘Kasified Experience’, an authentic township experience within Gamalakhe. This includes visiting local taverns, car spinning shows, outdoor cinema, quad biking, paintball, and more. Visitors enjoy delicious shisanyama and other local favourites at Sbucie’s Kitchen such as township kotas, burgers, and chips.

For nature enthusiasts, a local guide will take visitors on a hike from Gamalakhe, crossing the Vungu River and hiking along the Mjika River where sightings of local birdlife and scenery are captivating.

Mangcu said Gamalakhe was also being positioned for MICE events such as conferences, sports contests, and festivals: “Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre is at the entrance of the township and it consists of conference and function venues as well as sports facilities. The TVET College which has a Hospitality and Tourism Unit includes rooms to accommodate outside guests and there are also local guest houses with self-catering options. There is a lot of tourism potential being unlocked here!”

 

Uncover adventure on the KZN South Coast

To find out more about the Gamalakhe Township Experience, contact Mbongeni Mthembu from Monate Outdoor Activities on 073 092 9818.

Beyond the Gamalakhe Township Experience, there is so much adventure to uncover 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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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