The South Coast Bike Fest™ will take a ride out from the popular coastal town of Margate to the scenic hinterland areas of KwaNzimakwe and KwaXolo on the 27th of April.
This is part of a drive to highlight the tourist initiatives under development in these rural villages. KwaNzimakwe and KwaXolo both form part of the Great Drives Out collection of authentic rural experiences as launched by Ugu South Coast Tourism.
On the day, the South Coast Bike Fest™ will run an official Motorsport South Africa endorsed WFO Hard Enduro Series race, called Margates Madman, to bring excitement and entertainment to the community in these areas, as well as to the spectators who wish to see a great hinterland race, support the riders and learn more about these areas. The race will consist of 2 stages, Stage one (2.2km, starting at 8am) in Margate and Stage two (approx. 35km, starting at 11am-4pm) in KwaNzimakwe with a halfway midpoint spectator point in KwaXolo. While the race continues, entertainment will take place at start/finish pits and at KwaXolo, including shows by biking sensations King Donut, the La Riche Brothers and riding lessons from the Soweto Riding Academy. Food and refreshments will be on sale. The race ends with a prize giving at 6pm at Margate Pier Rock Stage.
The South Coast is popularly known as a coastal destination, the Great Drives Out and events like this race expose tourists to a diversified tourism product. These cultural adventure experiences encourage responsible and authentic culture and heritage explorations in scenic environments, fostering links between diverse cultures and between the popular KZN South Coast coastline and the lush hinterland, only a few minutes’ drive away.
The KwaNzimakwe Experience starts at the WowZulu Welcome Centre on the R69 Road between Mpenjati Nature Reserve and Ezinqoleni, above KwaNzimakwe “place of the Nzimakwe” Village. Here the local tribal leader welcomes visitors warmly. Activities include seeing a sangoma, watching crafters and learning to weave, visiting a cattle kraal and following a mountain trail past a Shembe Church to a site with spectacular views of the area. Nearby activities include community theatre at Msenti Art Academy, walking trails at Xhuluweshe mountain and Nojani Tavern.
KwaXolo Caves forms part of a series of caves, near the town of Port Edward. A walkway is currently under development to improve access to the prehistoric caves with San paintings that are said to be older than 100 000 years.
All cultural adventure experiences are recommended as part of a guided tour with registered tour guides, so visitors can understand the area, its people and places and so visits are acknowledged in the areas, which follow traditional customs. Access to the areas are a combination of tarred and dirt roads, with a 4×4 trail the next tourist initiative to be launched, connecting the KwaNzimakwe and KwaXolo area.