Eco-route plan revisited
The aim is to initiate cultural and eco-tourism routes into the traditional areas.
Amanzimtoti’s hidden historical gems in the rural areas will form the basis of a tourism route that was launched by AmaKhosi and role players in Ilanda Wilds at the weekend.
The location around the ‘Shaka stone’ in Ilanda Wilds became a hive of activity as Durban South Business Forum (BSBF), Sapphire Coast Tourism (SCT), Amanzimtoti Sports Centre (ASC) and traditional leaders led by InKhosi Maphumulo and Induna Makhanya congregated to launch the collective objective.
The aim is to initiate cultural and eco-tourism routes into the traditional areas inland of the Sapphire Coast area that stretches from the Umbogintwini River south up to the river just north of Scottburgh and inland to Umbumbulu.
The Shaka stone was unveiled as part of a DSBF heritage initiative in 2013 and the Sun went on a tour of Nungwane waterfall with SCT members years ago to initiate a tourism route into the rural areas but nothing transpired about the idea.
“While our beaches arguably remain the main attraction for domestic tourist who continuously return to our shores, the reality is there is much more potential just waiting to be unlocked,” said DSBF vice-president, Andre Beetge.
“Those in the know have been telling tales of waterfalls and dams, mountains overlooking winding roads and green valleys, bass fishing in crystal clear water, wild bush pig and duiker roaming dense forests, paddling clear rivers to the sound of a fish eagle or exploring lesser-travelled paths either by foot, mountain bike, motorcycle, 4×4 or on horseback for years. And all of this in our own back yard.”
The Sun was fortunate to join Beetge on a tour of the rural wonderlands last month, with InKhosi Maphumulo generously giving of his time to act as a tour guide and fountain of historical knowledge of the area and the role King Shaka played in Amanzimtoti’s history.
We were fortunate to follow Shaka’s assumed route from the stone through Bhekulwandle as guests of InKhosi Maphumulo.
We were amazed at the view from the top of Tshehlophe (White Rock), a mountain made of granite which Shaka requested to visit once he heard tales of it, and the magnificent Nungwane falls.
However, we were saddened at the deteriorating condition of Jubilee Hall on the premises of Adams College where the likes of Nelson Mandela, Mangusothu Buthelezi and many other prominent African leaders received their education.
“Government’s repeated call for organised business to assist in finding ways to alleviate unemployment and eradicate poverty, coupled with the increasingly more important role that traditional leadership are destined to play, set the tone for DSBF to start engaging stakeholders for collective solutions.
While partnering with both SCT as the marketing authority and the ASC as the ‘home of local sport’ makes logical sense, no success can be achieved without close co-operation from the traditional leadership, who control 44% of the province’s land and who remain the custodians of the isiZulu tradition.
Hence the significance of launching what will be the ‘White Rock cultural and eco tourism routes’ at the Shaka Stone, for not only does it signify an epic journey or the naming of the town Amanzimtoti but commemoration of 200 years since the unification of the tribes by King Shaka to form the Zulu nation.”
The launch signifies the start of a year-long journey. Along the way roleplayers will engage with all affected traditional leadership, as the areas cut across the jurisdiction of AmaKhosi Maphumulo, Makhanya, Hlengwa and Luthuli, tour guides, operators and tourism teachers at various schools, tourism graduates, canoe, cycling, hiking, motorcycle and 4×4 enthusiasts and the hospitality industry in an effort to obtain a holistic perspective of what is really available to offer while unlocking employment potential into the traditional rural areas.
Interested parties can email carine@dsbf.co.za or call Beetge on 082-718-8137.
