Margate is a coastal resort town on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast (about 20 km from Port Shepstone. It’s often called the holiday capital of the South Coast, with palm-lined beaches, a warm subtropical climate and a thriving tourism industry.
There’s probably a lot that you don’t know about this coastal resort, but today my aim is to change that…
Here are 13 Interesting Facts you might not know about Margate (in KwaZulu-Natal)
1. In 1908 English surveyor Henry Richardson laid out the town and named it Margate after the English seaside resort. In 1919 entrepreneur Hugh Ballance bought the Margate farm (lauding its “beautiful beach and congenial scenery”).
2. Hugh Ballance subdivided the farm into seaside plots in 1921, initially calling the area Inkongweni after the local river (meaning “place of entreaty” in Zulu) before it reverted to Margate. The town grew slowly due to its remoteness.
3. In late 1922 a mysterious 14m marine carcass washed ashore (nicknamed “Trunko” or the Margate Monster) after whales were seen fighting it. With no photographs ever taken, the creature’s identity was never confirmed, but news of it put the town on the world map and spurred tourist interest.
4. Margate was proclaimed a township in 1941 and gained municipal status in 1947. Local newspapers from the mid-20th century record that even then residents complained about issues like parking, water and sewerage – problems that echo today.
5. The coastal resort town has wide sandy beaches (e.g. Lucien Beach, a Blue Flag beach on Margate Main Beach). Its subtropical climate means mild, sunny winters and warm summers. Even in Winter (May–Aug) visitors come to enjoy the 22°C sea; the annual Sardine Run (June–July) in the Indian Ocean draws anglers and nature-watchers.
6. Tourism peaks in the South African school holidays and public holidays. Christmas and Easter weeks are especially busy, with inland visitors filling Margate’s lodgings and congesting Marine Drive. During these times the town’s population swells many times over.
7. Nearby nature attractions include the River Valley Nature Reserve (28 ha of riverine forest with walking trails. Birders there may spot green-backed herons, tambourine doves, sunbirds, waxbills and scrub robins. Inland, Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve (21 km away) offers mountain vistas, river gorges and 250+ bird species, while Mpenjati Nature Reserve (20 km South) protects dune forest and wetlands with duiker and a breeding pair of fish eagles.
8. Margate is on KZN’s “Golf Coast” – the Margate Country Club is one of 11 courses on the South Coast.
9. The town center has many shops, markets and malls (notably Hibiscus Mall). Its dining scene is rich: from family-friendly cafés and fish-and-chips shacks to upscale seafood grills and South African barbecue (braai) restaurants. Many establishments advertise “ocean views” or fresh local seafood.
10. The town hosts vibrant community events. The Margate Mardi Gras (regular beachfront carnival) features food stalls, live music, dance performances and local crafts.
Seasonal markets and festivals also draw crowds – for example, the Sweetdale Night Market offers live music and local food/handicraft stalls.
11. Margate Art Museum (est. 1994) is the largest art museum in KwaZulu-Natal, exhibiting contemporary South African art and heritage. Next door, Sebenza Village offers craft workshops and galleries. These cultural centers highlight local talent and history.
12. Margate has an estimated population of +/-51,000 people.
13. The town is mainly accessed via the R61 (future N2 Wild Coast Toll Route) linking the town to Port Shepstone in the North and Port Edward in the South.
The main arterial route is the R620 (Marine Drive), connecting Margate to Uvongo to the North and Ramsgate to the South. Additionally, the P200 (Izotsha Road) provides a link to Gamalakhe and Izotsha to the North-West.
Well, there you have it, 13 interesting facts you might not have known about Margate (in KwaZulu-Natal). If I’ve left something important out, feel free to comment below.
Watch this space for updates in the Facts category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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