Durban -
Renowned for its gorgeous coastal towns, warm community and laidback lifestyle, the KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast is a prime holiday destination. And this year, Sapphire Coast Tourism is looking forward to a bumper season with plenty fun for residents and holidaymakers.
“December is always a really busy month for the jewel of KwaZulu-Natal,” said Romy Wenzel, chairman of Sapphire Coast Tourism. “Our incredible beaches, world-class dive sites, cultural spots, nature reserves and quality food and drink venues keep the tourists coming year after year. And, in preparation for the busy holiday season, Sapphire Coast Tourism has been cleaning and painting bridges. We want all visitors to really enjoy their stay. There is also a well-planned holiday programme with a host of fun, family-friendly activities throughout December.”
Amanzimtoti Park Run
One of the community initiatives is the weekly 5km Amanzimtoti Park Run which sets off every Saturday at 8am from Beach Road, Amanzimtoti. This run is unique in that it incorporates the beach, testing runners’ endurance in a beautiful setting.
Amanzimtoti River Clean-up
To improve the environmental conditions of the area, there will be an Amanzimtoti River Clean-up on December 9 setting off from the Amanzimtoti Sports Centre.
CPR Lessons
Partake in some potentially lifesaving lessons at Toti Main Beach on December 18, 20 and 22 . All lessons are arranged by PDA Health Pty Ltd.
Nature Walks
There will be two nature walks taking place at Burchells Coucal Eco Trail, 1 Deeptank Road, Illovo. On December 20 there will be the Kiddies Nature Walk with Blessing Majoka from 8am to 10am at a cost of R30 which includes a snack pack from Cafe Familia.
On December 23 there will be Birding and Nature Walk with Blessing Majoka from 7am to 11am at no cost. Meeting at Cafe Familia afterwards for scones and refreshments.
Saturday December 16
Christmas Tree Lighting: Everyone is invited to watch the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the Amphitheatre around dusk.
The Summer Watermelon Festival: This is a family-friendly event at the Amanzimtoti Sports Centre from noon, visitors can expect a juicy line-up of fun watermelon activities with food trucks serving delicious fare and refreshments in the form of craft beer, as well as tasty pink gin and tonics. For the younger children, there will be a secure kids’ area with fun play equipment.
The Christmas Market: This is a one-stop Christmas shopping venue with a range of craft stalls, food stalls and an entertainment zone for the children with inflatables and rides at Sweetwaters Church from 2pm to 9pm with a carol service at 7pm. Visitors are asked to bring a bag or tin of dog or cat food for the Amanzimtoti SPCA.
Winkle Toti Winkle Sea and Sand Marathon: The 45th annual marathon, hosted by the Winkelspruit Surf Lifesaving Club, forms the final event of the club’s 90th anniversary celebration. It starts at 8am, it includes a surfski race, as well as a run/walk with paddlers taking on runners to get to the finish line first. The route is from Winkle Beach to Toti Beach and back again measuring 12.6km with a shorter 4.8km race to Warnadoone Rocks and back. Anybody can enter the run or walk race, however, the surfski event is only open to lifesaving and South African Canoe Union members because of associated risks. Registration at Winklespruit Surf Lifesaving Club on the day at 7am with an entrance fee of R100 for 14 years and older – including burger and colddrink – and R50 for entrants under 14 years.
Umgababa Mnini Dam Extravaganza: eThekwini Municipality is sponsoring the extravaganza at Mnini Dam Resort from 10am. This year’s event will feature some top South African musicians and local acts. There will also be an exciting array of arts and crafts stalls for festival-goers. Tickets from Computicket are R150 for general admission or R500 for the VIP experience.
Amanzimtoti Main Beach Programme
Amanzimtoti, Baggies and Winklespruit Beaches will play host to a number of beach activities. DJ Fluffy and DJ Chris will ensure the music keeps everyone in the party mood and there will be plenty of fun giveaways, vouchers and promotions supplied by local businesses. Visitors can look out for Happy Drums who will be offering free drumming lessons while FUNLAND and Dolphin Bowl will set up mobile tenpin lanes with voucher giveaways…all on selected days only.
Monday December 18
9am: Beach volleyball and touch rugby
10am: Music, puppet show, children’s games, treasure hunt
11.30am to 12.30pm: Soccer city with elimination rounds for different ages, kid’s musical and games; art competition, fear factor, hamburger eating competition
Tuesday December 19
9am: Mixed volleyball, touch rugby for teens, cricket for younger children
10am: Music and puppet show
10.30am: Treasure hunt and flagging
11am: Karaoke
11.30am to 12.30pm: Crazy games - water balloon tarp catch and silly tag, among others. Ice cream eating competition, banner making competition, five’s volleyball tournament and tenpin bowling
Wednesday December 20
9am: Beach volleyball with prizes
10am: Music, puppet show and children’s band
11.10am to 1pm: X-Factor
Thursday December 21
9am: Volleyball and soccer
10am: Puppet show
11am to 12.30pm: ‘Blind mol’ treasure hunt; boere sports including aartappelresies, driebeenresies, eiergooi, sakresies and toutrek; ‘The Voice’ for individuals, groups and families
Friday December 22
9am: Beach volleyball tournament
10am: Music, face painting, hairspray and puppet show
11.10am to 12.30pm: Action cricket, flagging. Entertainment centre - board games, beach bowling, Fear Factor, pizza eating competition and tenpin bowling
Saturday December 23
7am: Fun run working together with Park Run
9am: Beach volleyball tournament
10am: Music, face painting and hairspray
10.30am: Puppet show
10.50am: Treasure hunt
11am to 12pm: Water games and sandcastle building; X FACTOR - musical and theatre talent; hamburger eating competition; tenpin bowling
Sunday December 24
9am: Touch rugby and ‘aflos-relay’ with crossfit or volleyball
10am: Puppet show and beach frisbee golf
11am to 1pm: Toti’s Got Talent
6pm: Carols by Candlelight at the big Christmas tree. Families to bring presents for the poor
Monday December 25
8am: Christmas service on the beach
8.45am: Christmas puppet show
9.30am to 11am: Volleyball; The Voice – Christmas songs; Christmas trees in the sand and decorations
Tuesday December 26
9am: Family volleyball and soccer
9.30am: Treasure hunt
10.30am: Puppet show
11am: Family Wipeout
Wednesday December 27
9am: Touch rugby, volleyball and soccer
10am: Puppet show
11am to 1pm: Do you want to build a sandman?; Boeresport; Miss Toti (heat 1); hamburger eating competition.
Thursday December 28
8am: Family walk
9.30am: Beach volleyball, rounders and soccer
10.30am: Treasure hunt; hoola hoops
11.40am to 12.30pm: Family creativity competition with sand; Miss Toti (heat 2)
Friday December 29
9am: Beach volleyball fives tournament
10.30am: Puppet show
11.15am to 1pm: Balloon creativity competition; creativity exhibition; Miss Toti Final; pizza eating competition; tenpin bowling; DSTV cartoon network roadshow by Wozani Africa Events at Toti Main beach.
Saturday December 30
7am: X FACTOR; Park Run
9am: Beach volleyball and touch rugby
10am: Music and puppet show
10.40am: Treasure hunt; paper plane competition
11am to 12pm: Water-balloon; dodgeball; mini-gladiators including tug-of-war and gauntlet
12pm: Karaoke; volleyball; tenpin bowling
New Year’s Eve
Celebrate the New Year’s with a family-fun event at the KwaMakhutha New Year’s Eve Picnic sponsored be eThekwini Municipality. This event is being held at the Mkhumbi Sports Grounds, starting at 3pm.
For more visit www.sapphirecoasttourism.co.za or the Sapphire Coast Tourism page on Facebook or https://www.facebook.com/totitourism/