Margate | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 30°51′00″S30°22′00″E / 30.85000°S 30.36667°E | |
Country | South Africa |
Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
District | Ugu |
Municipality | Ray Nkonyeni |
Area | |
• Total | 29.21 km2 (11.28 sq mi) |
Population (2011) [1] | |
• Total | 26,785 |
• Density | 920/km2 (2,400/sq mi) |
Racial makeup (2011) | |
• Black African | 47.3% |
• Coloured | 2.2% |
• Indian/Asian | 3.1% |
• White | 46.9% |
• Other | 0.6% |
First languages (2011) | |
• English | 35.8% |
• Xhosa | 22.5% |
• Afrikaans | 19.8% |
• Zulu | 18.4% |
• Other | 3.5% |
Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
Postal code (street) | 4275 |
PO box | 4275 |
Area code | 039 |
Margate is a coastal resort town in the KwaZulu-Natal province, about 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) south-west of Port Shepstone and 127 kilometres (78.9 mi) south-west of Durban. The river which flows into the sea at Margate is called "Nkhongweni" (place of entreaty) as the original inhabitants of the area were reputed to be so mean resulting in travellers begging for hospitality. [2] : 329
Located on the Hibiscus Coast, part of the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Margate is one of the major hubs for tourists who are looking to visit the eastern coastline of South Africa.
In 1908, Henry Richardson, an English surveyor laid out the town and named it Margate after another seaside resort on the northern coast of the county of Kent, in the United Kingdom. [2] : 329
Margate hit the world headlines in 1922 (although this date is often disputed and stated as 1924) when an enormous, white, furry creature (dubbed "Trunko" due to it having an elephantine trunk) was washed up on the beach. The "Margate monster" was too decomposed to be identified. [2] : 329
Topographically, Margate is relatively undulating with the terrain rising towards the Margate Airport in the west, the highest point in Margate, lying at an altitude of about 152 m (499 ft).
The 2011 census divided the urban area of Margate into 14 “sub places” including: [3]
The main retail thoroughfare in the Margate CBD, Marine Drive, is the location of several shops, banks, nightclubs, bars and restaurants. The town also comprises four shopping centres, namely; Hibiscus Mall, which is the largest shopping centre in Margate, Emoyeni Centre, Margate Centre and Margate Mall.
Although, nearby Shelly Beach is usually favoured for its much larger shopping centres such as Southcoast Mall and Shelly Centre that offer a wider variety of retail outlets.
Margate is largely a tourist town, owing to its subtropical climate, beaches, and hospitality industry with the bulk of the town's earnings coming from tourism. There is a wide range of holiday accommodation in the area including hotels such as Margate Hotel and Desroches Hotel, holiday apartments along the coast, self-contained units and holiday houses for rent. [4] [5]
Margate is popularly known for its good beaches, especially its main beach, which is accredited with the international Blue Flag status. The Margate CBD, centred around Marine Drive and the main beach, is a lively area filled with many restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs. [6]
Margate is busiest during school and public holidays when inland residents travel to the coast. Christmas and Easter are especially busy times, with Marine Drive often clogged with heavy traffic during these times.
Margate is one of the most visited tourist destinations in South Africa and had the third highest inflow of new visitors in December 2019 in South Africa after Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay, both in the Western Cape Province meaning that Margate had the highest inflow of new visitors in December 2019 in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. [7]
Established in 2001, Netcare Margate Hospital is the sole hospital serving the community of Margate. Owned by one of South Africa’s largest private healthcare providers, Netcare Limited, it is a private hospital operating 24-hour emergency services. The hospital is located on Wartski Drive, a short distance from the CBD. [12]
In the heart of Margate is the Margate Clinic, a government-funded municipal clinic operated by the Ugu District Municipality. For public hospitals, residents of Margate usually use the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital in Port Shepstone.
Margate Airport is located in Margate Ext 3 on the western outskirts of the town. It is a small, regional, airport with easy and quick access facilities. There is one scheduled domestic route to Johannesburg offered by CemAir. King Shaka International Airport, near Durban is about 166 km north-east of Margate.
Margate is mainly reached via the R61 (future N2 Wild Coast Toll Route) from Port Shepstone in the north and Port Edward in the south and the R620 (Marine Drive; National Road) from Uvongo in the north and Ramsgate in the south. It can also be reached via Izotsha Road from Gamalakhe and Izotsha in the north-west.
The Margate Country Club is an 18-hole golf course, par 71 course designed by Peter Matkovich which is set high on the western outskirts of Margate overlooking the Indian Ocean from a distance. [13]
Ballito is an affluent coastal town located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Ballito is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Durban and 24 kilometres south of KwaDukuza. It forms part of the KwaDukuza Local Municipality, and iLembe District Municipality. Dolphins and Whales are common on this stretch of the North Coast shoreline, hence the nickname Dolphin Coast. The name of the town Ballito is named after the Italian word for "small ball".
Port Shepstone is a large town situated on the mouth of the Mzimkhulu River, the largest river on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast of South Africa. It is located halfway between Hibberdene and Margate and is positioned 120 km south of Durban. It serves as the administrative, educational, industrial and commercial centre for southern Natal.
Port Edward is a small resort town situated on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and lies on the border between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. It is situated on the R61 road between Port Shepstone and Lusikisiki.
Hibberdene is a small coastal town on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast in South Africa, approximately 23 km north-east of Port Shepstone and 90 km south-west of Durban and halfway between coastal towns of Scottburgh and Margate.
Amanzimtoti, locally nicknamed Toti, and officially renamed to eManzimtoti, is a coastal town just south of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Located at the mouth of the aManzimtoti River, the town is well known for its warm climate and numerous beaches, and is a popular tourist destination, particularly with surfers. Although Amanzimtoti is now incorporated into the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality or the Greater Durban metropolitan area, it is also a town in its own right.
Ramsgate is a village on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, just southwest of Margate. Ramsgate is located on the mouth of a river known by the Zulu name Bilanhlolo for the bubbles caused by strong currents making it look like the water is boiling. In 1922, there was only one person living there, Paul Buck, a painter and violin maker and he called the place Blue Lagoon.
Umzumbe is a seaside resort situated at the mouth of the Mzumbe River (bad kraal) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The name of the river is derived from a band of Hlongwa cannibals who occupied the valley. The Hlongwa was almost wiped out by the Zulu king Shaka in 1828.
Uvongo is a seaside resort town situated along the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast at the mouth of the Vungu River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Situated 4 kilometres north of Margate, Uvongo is the largest upmarket residential area on the Lower South Coast.
Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality was a local municipality in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It governed the Hibiscus Coast on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast which attracts tourists from the province and other provinces as well as international tourists.
Marburg is a settlement in the Ugu District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, situated approximately 112 kilometres south-west of the city of Durban. Marburg was a Norwegian settlement given the name Marburg for a nearby German mission. The Norwegian founders played a significant role in the development of Marburg and Port Shepstone, which it forms part of today. The British colonial government gave the settlers a free voyage to South Africa and also houses and 100 acres of land. Marburg was the only successful Scandinavian settlement in South Africa.
Southbroom is a coastal village on the South Coast of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa situated approximately halfway between Port Shepstone – 23 km (14 mi) and Port Edward – 18 km (11 mi).
Shelly Beach is a coastal resort town on the South Coast of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, located more or less halfway between Margate and Port Shepstone.
The R620 is a regional route in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa that connects Southbroom with Port Shepstone via Ramsgate, Margate, Uvongo and Shelly Beach.
Gamalakhe is a township situated about 6 km (4 mi) inland on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.
KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is a region along the southern stretch of coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, south of the coastal city of Durban.
Oslo Beach is a small coastal village located along the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and forms part of the coastal town of Port Shepstone.
Manaba Beach is a small coastal town on the South Coast of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, located approximately 2 kilometres north of the Margate CBD and 13 kilometres south of Port Shepstone. The name ‘Manaba’ translates to 'ease and relaxation' in the Zulu language.
Melville is a coastal resort village situated along the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
St Michael's-on-Sea is a small seaside village located on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between Uvongo and Shelly Beach.
Margate (KwaZulu-Natal) travel guide from Wikivoyage