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Amanzimtoti Accommodation: Nearby towns with accommodation:
Warner Beach Accommodation | Durban Accommodation | Umhlanga Rocks Accommodation
Vally of a 1000 Hills Accommodation | La Lucia Accommodation | Umdloti Accommodation
Amanzimtoti is a coastal town just south of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
According to local legend, when the Zulu king Shaka led his army down the south coast
on a raid against the Pondos in 1828, he rested on the banks of a river. When drinking
the water, he exclaimed "Kanti amanzi mtoti" (isiZulu: "So, the water is sweet"). The
river came to be known as Amanzimtoti ("Sweet Waters"). The Zulu word for "sweet" is
actually mnandi, but, as Shaka's mother had the name Nandi, he invented the word toti
to replace mnandi out of respect not to wear out her name. Locals frequently refer to
the town as "Toti".
Amanzimtoti is renowned for its warm weather and its beaches. It is a popular tourist
destination, particularly with surfers, and the annual sardine run attracts many to
the beaches. Many South Africans flock here during the summer to get away from it all.
Its location on the N2 national highway, approximately 11 km from Durban International
Airport makes it a convenient destination. It has several malls, arcades and a water park.
Amanzimtoti made the international news when on December 23rd, 1985, during the peak
of the Christmas shopping season, MK cadre Andrew Sibusiso Zondo detonated a bomb in
a rubbish bin at the Sanlam shopping centre in an act of anti-Apartheid terrorism.
Five people died in the blast and more than forty were injured.
There are well established sports facilities in Amanzimtoti, situated at Hutchison
park. Included is a tennis-, squash-, cricket-, rugby-, soccer-, cycling- and bowls
club.
Arbour Crossing, a major new shopping development, opened on November 20th 2008, with
a Pick 'n Pay Hypermarket being the key tenant. The Galleria, a second development in
the same area, is due to open in 2009
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