Margate Geography The holiday resort town of Margate lies on the Hibiscus Coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Popular with holiday-makers and especially those from Gauteng, the town can also be reached by flying in and landing at Margate Airport, the second largest runway in KwaZulu-Natal. The resort town is located about 160km's south of Durban. History Although not always known as Margate, the coastal resort had its beginning on a farm near the Nkhongweni River, the 'place of begging". It was in 1919 that Hugh Balance bought a farm here and began developing it as a resort. The name Nkhongweni never took off and the public reacted much more favorably when the name was changed to Margate in 1941, being named in honor of the English coastal town of Margate. It was earlier however, in 1933, that the South African town hit the headlines. A large white-haired creature washed up onto the shore, and owing to its advanced state of decomposition no one could identify what the creature was. The great publicity around the event meant that many more people were made aware of the town's attractions! Today Margate is a beloved holiday destination and even rivals Durban in the popularity stakes, as it has excellent facilities, a great climate, the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and numerous other attractions, both natural and man-made. Arts & Culture The holiday-maker in Margate, with an interest in things cultural, will definitely find something here to suit his/her taste. Zulu women sell their crafts on the pavements and along the beachfront promenade, and many interesting curios can also be brought from numerous shops in town. For those interested in art, the Margate Municipal Art Museum in the Civic Centre has a permanent collection of contemporary South African art and also hosts temporary exhibitions. Science & Nature Margate has a wonderful stretch of beach that is popular with sun worshippers, surfers and swimmers. The beachfront offers wonderful views of the Indian Ocean and dolphins and whales are often sighted. Entertainment In season, Margate is a buzz of activity! Besides the attraction of the beach and the ocean, the beachfront promenade offers restaurants, cinemas, an amusement park, a skating rink and nightclubs, of which some often present entertaining holiday cabaret shows. During the summer holidays there are always beach activities on offer. The annual Margate Air Show at the airport is a great attraction and many tourists come to the town to see the impressive aerobatic displays. Sport The year-round warm and temperate climate of this part of the Hibiscus Coast means that water sports are always popular with both the locals and visitors. For the golf enthusiasts, the Margate Golf and Country Club has one of the top 100 courses in South Africa, and the 18-hole par 72 will both challenge and inspire. |
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