Kempton Park family makes Toti their holiday destination for 41 years
One year we were 28 family members at the resort.
A Kempton Park family has chosen Amanzimtoti as their festive season destination of choice for an incredible 41 years. Eddie, 70, and Bybie Sevenster, 68, have camped at ATKV Natalia each year, except for the first year when they stayed in the flats, but decided thereafter to camp.
“We have visited some of the other ATKV resorts as well – Klein Kariba, Buffelspoort usually in April, but we always stay at Natalia for a whole month in December.”
Eddie was a policeman for 43 years, one month and one day, and is enjoying life since retiring in 2010, while Bybie was a dentist chair assistant. He worked in Braamfontein in the same offices as the ATKV head office and became a member. Being a member gives you discounted rates at the resorts and they decided to make use of it.
“We enjoy that it is clean, safe, the staff’s friendliness and the fact that the resort has a holiday entertainment programme.” Asked what changes they have noticed about the town in all the years you have come here, they replied: “Galleria and Arbour Crossing, which ‘replaced’ the town hub.”
READ ALSO: Help to keep Amanzimtoti beaches clean this holiday season
And about ATKV? “One of the big changes that Eddie initiated and supported many years ago was erecting a supatube, which was done eventually in 2018. Him and his grandson were the first to make use of it at the opening,” said Bybie.
“We would definitely recommend Toti to our friends and family. We usually meet up with Eddie’s sisters and their families for the holidays. His parents also used to camp with them when they were still alive. One year we were 28 family members at the resort. We have made lots of friends over the years at the resort, some who have since passed away and some we still see each year. Some of the staff at the resort have also became our friends.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday this year, like we do every other year.” Eddie especially loved having his two grandsons, Wian, 11, and Christiaan van Wyk, 5 with him for the whole holiday. He bought his first caravan 40 years ago, a Gypsy for R2 300, and currently they own their ninth caravan.
READ ALSO: Family’s six-month trans-SA trek leads them to Amanzimtoti
Asked what memories stand out for them, Eddie replied: “One year everyone buried their watermelons in the sand and someone stole mine. I suspected who it was, and confronted the person, who denied it. But the next day the ‘suspect’ came with a new watermelon to my stand, put it on the table and said: there’s your watermelon, but you’re sharing it with me. From then on, we became friends and we camped together for 30 more years until my friend passed away in 2017.”
Eddie wants to celebrate his birthday next year at ATKV Hartenbos, but you can be sure that when the festive season rolls up, the Sevensters and their trusty caravan will roll back into town.
