Making the Amanzimtoti CBD appealing again

A NUMBER of business people have undertaken the heavy task of reviving the Amanzimtoti CBD back to its former glory after years of downward spiral and rot.

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The isiZulu name for the town translates to ‘sweet waters’ and is said to have been given to the area by King Shaka Zulu after he stopped to drink water from a local stream. He had made a brief stop as he was marching his army back to Zululand after raiding the amaMpondo tribe in the present-day Eastern Cape. This was only a few months before he was assassinated by his brothers in 1828.

In 1842, Dick King and Ndongeni Zulu would gallop through the area on their way to Grahamstown in order to request help for the besieged British garrison in Durban during the Battle of Congella. The route that Dick King took became a road named Kingsway, later renamed Andrew Zondo Road. The beginnings of what would actually become the town of Amanzimtoti date back to 1847 when Dr Newton Adams started a mission station.

With such a rich and remarkable history, the transformation of the CBD for the better is taking shape as a number of projects are currently underway. Negotiations are ongoing with SAPS and Metro Police for permanent police visibility in the CBD to enforce law compliance and deter crime. Beautification of the area is also on the cards as funds have already been sourced to revive the gardens.

South Coast Customs’ Neville Chetty said that many good things are happening as many businesses are coming back to the CBD.

“Right now there are about five shops that are in the process of setting up and opening. This shows the confidence that these businesses have in this area, and it will continue to grow,” he said.

Denise Brickbahan of Dee’s Motor Spares said she was glad to see the improvement of the Amanzimtoti CBD start to take shape. “My wish is to see it blossom and improve more,” she said.

Power World and Pumps Pool and Garden’s manager, Hendré Lottering, agreed that improvement is needed, adding that the municipality needs to do more in keeping the area clean and tidy. He also said the CBD is not the criminal hive that some people perceive it to be. “There is actually less crime in the CBD than in other areas of the town. The police need to be visible at all times to ensure that the criminals have no chance,” he said.

Making Amanzimtoti sweet again is what everyone seems to be agreeing on. By getting more people on board, this could be realised sooner rather than later.

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