Twinstreams, Fun, Nature and Learning

One of the Zulu Coast's best kept secrets is the Twinstreams Environmental Education Centre. It is situated right in the middle of an amazing dune forest, nestled on the outskirts of the magnificent Mtunzini Eco-Village on the pristine coastline of Zululand. Mangrove swamps, estuaries, long stretches of beaches, superlative birding with over 600 species & forest hikes are some of the few life changing experiences awaiting you in this patch of paradise. 

Twinstreams is the oldest environmental education centre in KwaZulu-Natal and has developed a fine sense of place over the years. It has come a long way since its original tented camp on the banks of the Amanzimnyama stream but great care has always been taken to maintain its unique and personal character.

Mick's Park is a large open-air venue set under the canopy of several mature flat-crown and yellowwood trees with ringside seats around a smouldering fire.  There is also a lecture area covered with a high, curved roof and open sides to keep the atmosphere of being in a forest. This venue can seat 60 people (auditorium-style) or 30 around tables. The latest addition to the Twinstreams stable of facilities - Sinkwe Centre - is a further 100m into the forest and has been designed to blend into the enclosing bush. It has a modern air-conditioned conference centre which opens out onto a spacious deck set under the spreading branches of a Pod Mahogany Tree (Afzelia quanzensis).

For school groups, Twinstreams offers some of the best environmental education opportunities available in South Africa, excursions and activities include team building, orienteering, research projects or more fun activities such as canoeing, night walks and even a beach sleep out!

Twinstreams also makes the ideal venue for those wishing to have a large private gathering in unusual surroundings. Their facilities can be rented for functions such as weddings, parties, family get-togethers.

For more information on Twinstreams visit www.twinstreams.org.za or Tel: 035 340 2511

The Zululand Trade Show 2012

Don't miss out on the 2012 Zululand Trade Show to be held on the 27th and 28th July at the ZCBF Showgrounds in Alton, Richards Bay. Attractions include the not to be missed "Biggest Fireworks Display" in Zululand as well as:

• Flea Market
• Home & Garden Hall
• Motor Show
• Outdoor Displays
• Beer Fest
• ABI Music Station 
• Kids Zone 

The show will run from 14h00 until 22h00 on Friday the 27th July and from 09h00 until 22h00 on Saturday the 28th July.

The event also supports a good cause, with all profits being pumped back into the ZCBF Community Park, and the many projects operating from it, such as AIDS awareness and care giving projects, teacher training, life skills training, educational programmes, management of corporate social investment projects and many others.

For more information contact Nikita on (035) 797 1818 or email nikita@zcbf.org.za

The uBuntu Girl

In October 2009 a local, young lady from Eshowe, Sonja Kruse, decided to undertake en epic journey across South Africa, visiting over 114 towns with nothing more than R100 in her pocket. 

On the 27th July, at the Holy Childhood School at Eshowe, Sonja will be giving a once off talk on her adventures and experiences, the event will be in a "Barnyard Theatre" style where you can bring your own picnic and drinks and enjoy an evening of fascinating story telling. Below is a excerpt from Sonja's Website and upcoming book "The uBuntu Girl" to wet your appetite!

"Have you ever had a dream that is so powerful, so clear and so consuming, that it drags you away from your perceptions, into a new reality? That’s what happened to me. I had a dream. In the dream I saw myself being called to the road, carrying a backpack, a camera, a phone and a R100 and setting off on a country-wide ‘Ubuntu" tour.

My dream had no questions like: Why? How? What if? And no answers either. But the dream had an ending - there was a book on the stands, a book telling of my incredible year long journey of discovery, telling of the 150 families who cared for me, telling of the extraordinary diversity of our country and telling of the reality of "Ubuntu" in South Africa.

So, in October 2009. I quit my job, gave my car away and set off with a backpack, a camera, a phone, and a R100.

On my own, on foot - and by thumb!

Without a tent, a sleeping bag and bank card, but with a deep seated belief that ‘I am because we are’; with faith in our humanity; with faith in our sense of Ubuntu; and with faith in our country’s journey of forgiveness; I set off from the outskirts of East London (I was there for my sister’s wedding).

My name is Sonja Kruse, some people call me the UBUNTU girl.

One year later saw my safe return after visiting all 9 provinces, stopping in 114 of our towns, big and small and staying with 150 families, representing 16 different cultures, who took me in, cared for me and made me feel at home.

From Townhouses to Townships; from Shacks to Millionaires; from Pensioners to Students; from the ANC Youth League to the AWB; from Hunters to Vegetarians; from Long Drops to Bidets: from Christians to Muslims to Rastafarians and from Curries to Chicken Feet – I experienced the joy of them all!"

For reservations to this event, please contact Gayleen on 035 474 1225

Swing Your Clubs On The Zulu Coast

The Zulu Coast is reputed to boast some of the finest golf courses in the Southern Hemisphere. If you are a golfer visiting this region, we suggest you take a moment to explore and enjoy a rather unique blend of courses on offer. For most, the long sunny & warm winter days will be enough, but throw in the excitement (and likelihood) of encountering a crocodile, hippo or variety of other game on the course and you have an above average day's golf. For avid birders, the Zulu Coast Golf Courses also offer some of the best birding in a very relaxed and aesthetically pleasing environment. 

Starting in the north of the Zulu Coast is the Kwambonambi Country Club, this well looked after 9 hole course offers excellent facilities and other sporting facilities on site, including a very popular "Halfway House". 

For more information or bookings, please contact (035) 580-1321 or email: marckwambo@wol.co.za

At the heart of the Zulu Coast is the Richards Bay Country Club, ideally set on the shores of Lake Mzingazi where unsurpassed sundowners after a day on the course can be enjoyed. The 18 hole, Par 71 golf course, co-designed by Gary Player, is one of the most scenic and challenging layouts in Zululand, especially considering that your chances of playing alongside basking crocodiles or grazing hippos is not uncommon. For more information please visit www.rbcc.co.za or Tel: (035) 753 2441

A bit further south in the quaint, peaceful village of Mtunzini is the Mtunzini Country Club, this 9 hole, Par 72 course overlooks the beautiful uMlalazi Nature Reserve and estuary with additional breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. Birding along the Mtunzini Golf Course, is some of the best in the country with views of Palmnut Vultures, Hornbills, Sunbirds and Kingfishers being common place. For more information Tel: (035) 340-1779

Inland in the cooler, more temperate climates of Eshowe is the 72 Par, 18 hole Eshowe Hills Golf Course, The golf course at Eshowe Hills Country Club was opened in 1907, and is now one of the oldest clubs in South Africa still playing on the original site. The “new” course was designed by the legendary Bob Grimsdell in the 1950’s and has recently been upgraded by European Masters Champion and multiple tournament winner, Jeff Hawkes. Great care has been taken to keep the “Grimsdell character” of the course. For more information visit www.eshowehills.co.za or Tel (035) 473 5000

All the courses along the Zulu Coast are in close proximity to a variety of accommodation establishments from bed and breakfasts to luxurious hotels. In addition there is always plenty on offer for the rest of the family, with many of the courses having excellent facilities for children and families. For more information on the Zulu Coast's Golfing opportunities visit www.visitzululand.co.za or www.sa-venues.com/kwazulu_natal_golf_courses.htm