Soth Coast South Africa

Seychelles or South Coast? Discover paradise-like spots in KZN Dreaming of an island getaway? You might not have to fly, paradise is just a road trip along the KZN South Coast away… By Sundeeka Mungroo 15-07-25 08:11 in Featured Seychelles Umzumbe on the South Coast. Image: canva Think paradise requires an international flight? Think again. KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast delivers tropical charm, no passport needed. With palm-fringed beaches, secluded coves, and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, parts of this coastline could easily be mistaken for the Seychelles. Here’s where you can experience KZN’s island-style escape… 1. Umzumbe: Secluded and serene Locals often keep this small village a secret, treating it like a hidden gem. The beach holds Blue Flag certification, ensuring it’s clean, safe, and perfect for swimming. What sets Umzumbe apart is its untouched charm, no crowds, no concrete, just swaying palms, rock pools, and soft sand. It gives off Seychelles vibes. 2. Port Edward: Turquoise waters, golden sands Situated near the Wild Coast border, Port Edward in KZN offers a relaxed, barefoot-luxury vibe. The beaches stretch wide, the surf stays clean, and the water shines a glassy blue, especially at Silver Beach. With subtropical vegetation hugging the coastline and the Mkambati Nature Reserve just beyond, this is where you go when you want to feel off-the-grid but still have access to a decent espresso. 3. Margate to Ramsgate: Classic South Coast coastline with flair Ramsgate beach. Image: canva This stretch is where the South Coast shows off. Margate brings the buzz with beachfront cafes and boardwalks, while Ramsgate dials it down with its lagoon, art galleries, and chill pace. The water here is warm year-round, the palm trees are real (not imported), and the sunsets can hold their own against any Indian Ocean island. 4. Umtentweni, KZN: Green meets blue Umtentweni sits just north of Port Shepstone and blends lush greenery with the glitter of the sea. Think forested dunes rolling down to the shoreline, monkeys in the trees, and golden hour lighting that could make any Instagram filter redundant. Quiet, scenic, and ridiculously photogenic. 5. Oribi Gorge: Not a beach, but still a showstopper kzn south coast Oribi Gorge. Image: wikimedia commons If your idea of paradise includes more cliffs and canopies than waves and coconuts, the South Coast’s Oribi Gorge delivers. Just inland from the coast, this dramatic canyon carves through the countryside like something out of a nature doc. There are waterfalls, zip lines, suspension bridges, and views that remind you that paradise isn’t only found at the beach. Tags: DMumani featured Important Seychelles South Africa Post navigation Next Article

6 South African Towns Where You Can Buy The Freshest Fish

6 South African coastal towns where you can taste the freshest fish ever Seafood in South Africa is top-notch! Check out these 6 coastal towns where fish go straight from the boat to your plate… By Sundeeka Mungroo 16-07-25 14:59 in Featured Coastal towns Fishing boats in Kalk Bay. Image: canva South Africa takes its seafood seriously. Stretching over 2,500 kilometres along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the coastline offers a paradise for fish lovers. Forget the flashy tourist spots, if you’re after true boat-to-plate freshness, make your way to the small coastal towns where fishing is a daily livelihood, not just a pastime. Here are six towns that dish up some of the freshest, most flavourful fish you’ll ever eat. 1. Arniston, Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa coastal towns south africa A stretch of beach in Arniston. Image: canva Quiet, windswept, and a little out of the way, Arniston is the kind of coastal town where you go to unplug and eat like royalty. Fishermen from the Kassiesbaai community continue to use traditional techniques passed down through generations. They catch fish by line and harvest abalone (perlemoen) and lobster, which families prepare in their own kitchens. At Willeen’s, right by the beach, they grill the catch of the day and serve it with authentic local flair—a meal not to be missed. 2. Paternoster, West Coast, Western Cape This sleepy, whitewashed village is a seafood legend. Fishermen launch their boats right from the beach, and what they haul in shows up on your plate by lunch. Think crayfish, snoek, and mussels grilled over open coals or baked into traditional West Coast potjies. Head to Voorstrandt, a bright red tin shack on the beach, for a meal with ocean views and zero pretence. 3. Kalk Bay, Cape Peninsula, Western Cape, South Africa Kalk Bay blends timeless charm with top-tier seafood. This coastal town remains a working fishing harbour, so it’s common to see fishermen cleaning their fresh catch while you enjoy a glass of wine nearby. Yellowtail, hake, and calamari are local favourites. Grab a casual bite at the legendary Kalky’s on the dock, or opt for a refined experience at Harbour House—both serve fresh fare straight from the sea. 4. Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa Hout Bay might be just 20 minutes from central Cape Town, but it feels like its own seaside town. Boats come in daily with kingklip, kabeljou, and tuna, which you can buy straight off the dock or enjoy prepared at the Bay Harbour Market, where locals and visitors alike gather for craft food and ocean-fresh dishes. 5. Port St. Johns, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape coastal towns south africa Port St. Johns, Wild Coast. Image: canva Raw, wild, and untamed, Port St. Johns is where the land meets the sea dramatically. It’s not fancy, and that’s the whole point. The seafood here is real, grilled fish fillets seasoned with nothing more than salt, lemon, and smoke. Try local shacks or family-run guesthouses that serve the catch of the day alongside pap or chakalaka. 6. Struisbaai, Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa Located just south of Cape Agulhas, Struisbaai boasts one of the longest beaches in the Southern Hemisphere and serves up some of the freshest seafood you’ll find. The harbour stays busy with fishermen hauling in yellowtail, red roman, and cob. At Pelican’s Harbour Café, you can enjoy grilled fish just steps from where it was caught, all while watching stingrays glide through the nearby shallows.

92-Year Old Cameroonian Will Run For Eight Term As President

92-Year-Old Cameroonian President Will Run for Eighth Term Cameroon Cameroon President Paul Biya, 92, who has held the position for more than 40 years, announced this week he would run for an eighth term in October’s election, ending uncertainty about his political future and that of the troubled country, Semafor Africa reported. Biya became president in 1982 and scrapped term limits in 2008. He is now the second-longest-serving president in Africa, behind only Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Biya cited “numerous and insistent” calls from across Cameroon as the reason behind his decision to run again. Opposition figures and human rights advocates criticized Biya’s decision, saying the announcement underscored how the country is stuck politically and needed democratic change and accountable leadership, Africanews wrote. Meanwhile, Biya’s age is often contrasted with the population of the country – the median age is 19. Among the opposition leaders who plan to run in the election is Maurice Kamto, 71, who came in second in the last presidential election in 2018. Two former allies of Biya’s have also announced they will run, noted Reuters. In the 2018 election, Biya obtained over 70 percent of the vote in a race marked by allegations of fraud and violence. During his time in office, Biya has been accused of corruption and of failing to tackle public discontent. Moreover, he has often traveled outside the country for medical treatment, raising concerns about his health status and whether he can still govern effectively as the country grapples with a civil conflict and jihadist groups. Cameroon, a major cocoa and oil producer, has been shaken by a separatist conflict, originating in the Anglophone regions – the majority of the country is Francophone – which has left thousands dead and thousands more displaced. Cameroon is also fighting the jihadist group Boko Haram in the north of the country.

Gold-Digigng Mali Fights Mining Companies

Gold-Digging: Mali Fights Mining Companies To Battle Rebels and Terrorists Mali Last week, Mali’s military government seized more than $117 million worth of gold from Canada’s Barrick Mining’s Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex with the aim of restarting operations there. The move is part of efforts by Mali – and other countries in West Africa – to take over foreign-owned gold mines. Aiding in that effort, a Malian court recently allowed the government to restart operations at the mine, which produced around 720,000 ounces of gold in 2024, Mining.com reported. Officials had suspended Barrick’s management in a dispute related to local mining codes and allegedly unpaid taxes. Mali’s military government, which won power through a coup in 2020, is a major shareholder in the company, which is a massive source of foreign cash for the impoverished country. If gold prices continue to soar amid disruptions in the global financial system, the mine could generate more than $1 billion next year, wrote Reuters. Barrick has sought to negotiate. Malian authorities also arrested Barrick employees and seized three tons of gold bullion from the company over their regulatory and tax disputes. In a similar case, an Australian mining company late last year paid Mali at least $80 million to release their chief executive and two employees, reported France 24. Foreign miners in the country are worried, added African Business. Locally sourced miners don’t necessarily have the expertise or access to capital to run all the country’s mines. Regardless, the mineral resources are already financing new infrastructure and civil services that are essential to develop local economies in Mali, noted Université des Sciences Sociales et de Gestion de Bamako researcher, Mamadou Camara. But he still hoped those riches would fuel sustainable investments and “equitable exploitation” under more direct Malian government control, even those that remain inaccessible due to an insurgency. “Mali is rich in mineral resources – the country has vast untapped potential throughout its territory,” he said. “However, security issues in the north hinder exploration and mining activities. Some areas remain unassigned to companies due to ongoing insecurity.” Malian President Assimi Goïta, who led the 2020 coup and was recently granted a new five-year, perpetually renewable term in office without elections, as Al Jazeera explained, is fighting rebel movements and jihadists seeking to control swaths of its vast interior, much of it part of the Sahara desert. Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin recently launched attacks on seven military outposts in western Mali, for instance, the BBC reported. The group, meanwhile, has been rampaging across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, while also abducting foreigners and demanding ransoms for their release, the Times of India added. Their leader, alleged war criminal Iyad Ag Ghali, is an ethnic Tuareg who staged an uprising against Mali’s central government in 2012 to establish an independent Tuareg state called Azawad. Goïta has called in 2,000 mercenaries from Russia’s Africa Corps – formerly the Wagner Group but now controlled by the Kremlin – to help combat the jihadists and rebels, France 24 reported. At the same time, the mercenary group is accused of committing war crimes in the region. Mali has been fighting insurgent groups linked to the so-called Islamic State and al Qaeda for more than a decade, trying to prevent them from holding onto or even increasing their territory even as they attempt to expand to the West African coast: This would allow them to significantly boost their revenue through human trafficking, smuggling and arms trading with other parts of Africa, Europe and elsewhere. In May, Gen. Michael Langley, who leads the US Africa Command, warned that the Sahel, has become the “epicenter of terrorism on the globe.”

Five Tranquil Estuary Towns To Visit In South Africa

Where river meets ocean: 5 tranquil estuary towns to visit in South Africa South Africa’s estuary towns offer pure tranquility—from Kosi Bay to Kenton-on-Sea, here are five river escapes you need to explore… By Sundeeka Mungroo 12-07-25 08:34 in Featured River and ocean Where the river meets the sea in Nature's Valley, Western Cape. Image: wikimedia commons South Africa’s estuary towns offer more than scenic beauty, they play a vital ecological role. The rivers filter water, shield coastlines from storms, and nurture marine life during its most fragile stages. In these unique places, saltwater mixes with freshwater, tides shift with the currents, and the landscapes flow into a natural harmony. Here are five of the top estuary towns to explore in South Africa… 1. Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape, South Africa estuary towns south africa Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape. Image: canva Kenton-on-Sea sits between Port Alfred and Port Elizabeth, framed by two rivers and expansive beaches. Its estuaries teem with life—visitors can paddle through narrow channels at high tide or watch kingfishers dart through the mangroves. The Bushmans River, one of South Africa’s longest navigable rivers, flows gently, offering ideal conditions for peaceful boat rides and relaxed fishing trips. The town is small, safe, and perfect for a laid-back, barefoot lifestyle. 2. Witsand, Western Cape Witsand, Western Cape. Image: canva Witsand rests peacefully at the mouth of the Breede River, offering a haven for families, anglers, and Southern Right whales. In winter, whales gather in the bay to calve in the shallow waters, while summer invites warm days perfect for kite surfing or kayaking up the river. The town’s estuary stretches wide and shallow, safe for children and rewarding for birdwatchers. Witsand invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace its unpretentious charm. 3. St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa estuary towns south africa St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal. Image: canva St Lucia is wild in the best way. It’s the gateway to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where hippos graze on the edge of town and crocodiles float like logs. The estuary stretches over 80 km and pulses with life, reedbeds, fish eagles, and rare swamp forests. It’s not the usual beach town: it’s more primal, more alive. You come here to slow down, but you also come here to remember nature’s raw power. 4. Nature’s Valley, Western Cape Nature’s Valley. Image: wikimedia commons Nature’s Valley barely counts as a town, and that’s part of the magic. Tucked inside the Tsitsikamma section of South Africa’s Garden Route National Park, it’s a ribbon of homes between forest, lagoon, and sea. The Groot River estuary is calm and glassy, perfect for paddling or drifting. Hikes lead to waterfalls, beaches curve empty for miles, and at night, you’ll hear frogs instead of traffic. This place isn’t curated, it’s untouched. 5. Kosi Bay, KwaZulu-Natal estuary towns south africa Kosi Bay. Image: wikimedia commons Right near the Mozambique border, South Africa’s Kosi Bay is a remote masterpiece. It’s not just one estuary, it’s a system of lakes, channels, and tidal mouths forming a kind of natural maze. Traditional fish traps built by the Thonga people still stand in the water, undisturbed for centuries. Snorkel in the estuary’s shallows and you’ll find tropical fish inches from your mask. This is the wild edge of the country, and one of the last true frontiers. Tags: DMumani featured Important ocean South Africa

Coastal South African Towns Offering Great Seafood

5 coastal towns in South Africa serving up top-notch seafood These coastal towns don’t just serve seafood—they embody it. And they dish it up the way it’s meant to be: fresh, authentic, and truly memorable. By Sundeeka Mungroo 09-07-25 15:29 in Featured Seafood Seafood. Image: Pexels South Africa’s coastal towns deliver more than scenic views and great waves—they haul in some of the country’s best seafood. From quiet fishing villages to lively seaside cities, these five destinations dish out ocean-fresh meals that easily outshine most inland eateries. No frills, just exceptional seafood.Take a look… 1. Hout Bay, Western Cape Grilled calamari. Image: canva What to eat: Snoek & chips, grilled calamari Just 20 minutes from Cape Town, Hout Bay is a working harbour with real grit and flavour. Locals line up at fish-and-chip spots along the harbour for deep-fried snoek, slap chips, and takeaway calamari. They enjoy their seafood perched on the rocks, taking in panoramic views of the Atlantic. 2. Knysna, Garden Route Knysna is known for its oysters. Image: canva What to eat: Oysters Knysna isn’t just pretty, it’s the oyster capital of South Africa. The Knysna Oyster Festival draws crowds, but you can score fresh oysters year-round from lagoon-facing spots like 34° South. Whether raw, grilled, or soaked in Champagne, Knysna oysters are clean, plump, and impossible to forget. 3. Paternoster, West Coast, South Africa What to eat: Crayfish, mussels This quiet fishing village still preserves its timeless charm. At dawn, fishermen set out in wooden boats and return with nets brimming with crayfish. Much of the catch lands on beach braais or is plated at Wolfgat, arguably the country’s most talked-about restaurant. Even the modest beach shacks dish up mussels so fresh they carry the scent of the sea. 4. Gansbaai, Overberg Abalone sashimi. Image: canva What to eat: Abalone (perlemoen), yellowtail Gansbaai, famous for its shark cage diving, also boasts one of South Africa’s richest marine ecosystems. Several abalone farms operate in the area, and some restaurants legally and sustainably serve this rare delicacy. You can enjoy it grilled or thinly sliced like sashimi. Another local favourite is yellowtail, best enjoyed simply, fresh off the coals. 5. Port St. Johns, Wild Coast, South Africa What to eat: Grilled fish, seafood potjie Far from the tourist traps, Port St. Johns is raw, wild, and packed with flavour. The seafood is rustic and real, think whole fish grilled over open flames, spicy seafood potjies bubbling over fire, and prawns that taste like they came out of the ocean an hour ago. Don’t expect white tablecloths, just good food and a front-row seat to the Indian Ocean. Tags: DMumani featured Important seafood South Africa

4 Wild Places To Explore On South Africa's West Coast

4 wild places to explore on South Africa’s West Coast South Africa’s West Coast isn’t polished, it’s shaped by wind, waves, and time. Here’s where you can feel its true essence… By Sundeeka Mungroo 09-07-25 17:51 in Featured West Coast Lambert's Bay, West Coast. Image: wikimedia commons South Africa’s West Coast wears its ruggedness with pride. It doesn’t chase luxury—it embraces wind, salt, and raw beauty. Here, dunes spill into the icy Atlantic, and small towns echo with stories older than colonial borders. If you’re after untamed nature, this is where the desert collides with the sea—and adventure unfolds without a filter. 1. Namaqua National Park: West Coast flowers in the sand Flowers in bloom in Namaqualand. Image: canva When spring arrives, wildflowers burst into bloom across the drylands of South Africa’s Namaqualand. Sun-scorched scrubland transforms into a vivid display of daisies, succulents, and bulbs that blanket the desert. You’ll hike through surreal fields of colour, with the crisp ocean breeze reminding you the coast is nearby. Spend the night at the remote Skilpad Rest Camp, where the stars outshine city lights and silence becomes your companion. 2. Elands Bay: Surfing and San rock art This town in South Africa is tiny, scruffy, and loved by surfers who prefer barrels to beach bars. Elands Bay delivers legendary left-hand point breaks that draw dedicated surfers from far and wide whenever the swell rolls in. But the magic isn’t limited to the waves, Baboon Point, perched above the bay, shelters ancient San rock art in caves that watch over the rugged coastline. Here, you get prehistoric paintings, desert cliffs, and ocean mist, all in one unforgettable West Coast scene. 3. Lambert’s Bay: Birds, boats, and braais Cape Gannets in Lambert’s Bay. Image: canva Lambert’s Bay mixes the rough edges of a working harbour with raw coastal beauty. Walk over to Bird Island, just off the shore, and watch Cape gannets up close without needing binoculars. Then dig into a crayfish braai on the sand. Locals still make a living from the ocean here, and every weather-beaten wall proudly shows off the untamed spirit of the West Coast. 4. Paternoster: Still wild beneath the West Coast calm Paternoster earns its title as the West Coast’s postcard village with whitewashed cottages, stylish guesthouses, and seafood so fresh it could still be flapping. But step away from the main drag and you’ll discover windswept dunes, empty beaches, and fishermen reeling in snoek the traditional way. Paddle out with dolphins in a kayak or hike to Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, where the coastline stretches like it’s the end of the earth. Tags: DMumani featured Important South Africa Wild Coast