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 in the sun in store for residents and holidaymakers…it’s going to be a Sapphire Sizzling Summer 2017!
“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 turning the Sapphire Coast blue by cleaning and painting bridges. We want all visitors to really enjoy their stay which is why Sapphire Coast Tourism also supports a really well-planned holiday programme with a host of fun, family-friendly activities throughout December.”
Amanzimtoti Park Run
One of the community initiatives supported by Sapphire Coast Tourism 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 Saturday, 9 December setting off from the Amanzimtoti Sports Centre.
CPR Lessons
Partake in some potentially lifesaving lessons at Toti Main Beach on 18, 20 and 22 December. 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 Wednesday, 20 December there will be the Kiddies Nature Walk with Blessing Majoka from 8am to 10am at a cost of R30 per child which includes a snack pack from Cafe Familia.
On Saturday 23 December 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, 16 December Events
Christmas Tree Lighting
Everyone is invited to watch the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the Amphitheatre around dusk. This is a joint community initiative organised by Sapphire Coast Tourism and Durban South Business Forum.
The Summer Watermelon Festival
This is a fantastic family-friendly event centred on this refreshing summer fruit. Taking place at the Amanzimtoti Sports Centre on Saturday 16 December from 12pm, 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 & tonics. For the younger children, there will be a secure kids’ area with fun play equipment to keep them entertained.
The Christmas Market
This expansive market 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. This quality Christmas Market will take place at Sweetwaters Church on Saturday, 16 December from 2pm to 9pm with a carol service happening at 7pm. Visitors are asked to bring a bag or tin of dog or cat food for 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 calendar and is also the club’s biggest fundraiser. Taking place on Saturday, 16 December from 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 takes place 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 fantastic Umgababa Mnini Dam Extravaganza at Mnini Dam Resort from 10am on Saturday, 16 December. This year’s event will feature a host of top South African musicians, including a number of great local acts. There will also be an exciting array of arts and crafts stalls for festival-goers to enjoy. Tickets are available from Computicket at a cost of 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 centred on the theme ‘Family – young and old having fun together!’ Organised by the Stranddiens Team with the support of Sapphire Coast Tourism events’ liaison, Awie Pienaar, beach-goers are sure to be kept entertained this holiday. 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, among them Lords and Legends, Thirsty Whale, Splash, Aliwal Dive Centre, Illovo Nursery, KFC, Pick’n Pay Galleria, Debonairs Amanzimtoti, Tiago’s and more!
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. Don’t miss out on any of these and more exciting festive season events listed below:
Activations at Toti Main Beach
On 9, 23, 24, 27 and 28 December, there will be a Vodacom activation by Blue Alley Trading 210cc at Toti Main Beach.
On Saturday, 16 December, there will be Sprite and Mc Donalds sample activations by Blue Alley Trading 210cc at Toti Main Beach.
From Tuesday, 19 December to Friday 22 December there will be Nu Metro 4DX activations by Thubalisanda Marketing at Toti Main Beach
Monday, 18 December
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
Tuesday, 19 December
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 hosted by FUNLAND
Jam-packed Sapphire Coast Tourism line-up planned for fun, summer holiday https://t.co/WLH5kzudjT #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/zYddeh5XWN
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 11, 2017
Wednesday, 20 December
9am: Beach volleyball with prizes
10am: Music, puppet show and children’s band
11.10am to 1pm: X-Factor
Thursday, 21 December
9am: Volleyball and soccer
10am: Puppet show
11am to 12.30pm: ‘Blind mol’ treasure hunt; boere sport including aartappelresies, driebeenresies, eiergooi, sakresies and toutrek; ‘The Voice’ for individuals, groups and families
Friday, 22 December
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 hosted by FUNLAND
Saturday, 23 December
7am: Fun Run working together with Parkrun
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 hosted by FUNLAND
Sunday, 24 December
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, 25 December
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, 26 December
9am: Family volleyball and soccer
9.30am: Treasure hunt
10.30am: Puppet show
11am: Family Wipeout
Wednesday, 27 December
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, 28 December
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, 29 December
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 hosted by FUNLAND
DSTV cartoon network roadshow by Wozani Africa Events at Toti Main beach.
Saturday, 30 December
7am: X FACTOR; Parkrun
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 hosted by FUNLAND
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 information of the Sapphire Coast, visit www.sapphirecoasttourism.co.za or the Sapphire Coast Tourism page on Facebook or https://www.facebook.com/totitourism/