Situated along the coast just south of Durban, and well known for its numerous beaches and warm climate is Amanzimtoti. A number one destination for tourists, especially amongst the surfers, and the sardine run attracts many tourists to this area as it provides opportunity to see any ocean life.
The town also holds the Umnini craft village, a beautiful place to buy authentic african craftwork
- Warm Climate
- Numerous Beaches
- Ocean swells great for surfing
- Sardine Run
- Umnini craft village
Legend holds that King Shaka named Amanzimtoti after drinking water from a river or stream in the area whilst on a raid down the south coast of what present-day KwaZulu-Natal. This allegedly took place towards the end of his reign, which lasted from 1816 to 1828. When Shaka stopped to rest in the area, he had his personal attendant collect water from a nearby stream. This water was presented to King Shaka in a calabash.
After drinking the water he exclaimed "Kanti amanz'amtoti"(the water is sweet). Extensions of the legend tell that King Shaka had sat under a large wild fig tree to drink the water, or that he used to meet local indunas (chiefs) under a specific fig tree. The exact tree is unknown; one tree laying claim to the distinction fell down in March 1972, and another fell down in June 1981.
