Msunduzi River

The Msunduzi River flows through the center of Pietermaritzburg, the Capital of KwaZulu-Natal and is the namesake of the Msunduzi Municipality, where the City is located.
The Msunduzi River is well known for hosting the start of The Dusi Canoe Marathon. This is a canoe paddle race, that covers roughly 120km between the Cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Founded in 1951, it is the biggest canoeing event on the African Continent, and one of the World’s most popular River Marathons, attracting over 2000 paddlers each Year! The idea of racing down the Msunduzi and Umngeni Rivers was born during World War II when Ian Player, sitting around a campfire in Italy, tired and homesick. He then came up with the idea of formalising a race downriver from Pietermaritzburg to Durban!

After an initial expedition was planned but then abandoned halfway in 1950, eight paddlers set off from Alexandra Park on 22 December 1951. Six days, 8 hours and 15 minute later Ian Player finished! This was after he had survived two days of low rivers and then a flash flood and finally a Night Adder, bite!
The eight paddlers were meant to race in pairs. Player arrived in Durban outside of the initial set of laws, but undisputedly the first person to “do the Dusi”. This was because: 'Players partner Miles Brokensha 'ended his race', on Christmas Eve at the 'Mfula Store (Umfula Store)'. (This store is a traditional South African Trading Store located on the banks of the Umgeni River in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, in Kwa-Zulu Natal.) When Ian Player and Miles Brokensha, started for the inaugural race in 1951. They set off in a boat that had been painstakingly hand-made, from plans in a book!- They used canvas stretched over timber ribs and frames. The boat weighed in at 25 kilograms. However when it got a thorough soaking from the Msunduzi River, the weight of each boat ballooned to 37kgs! (This was just from the canvas absorbing the water) Player won the next two races with Fred Schmidt as his partner, before retiring from competitive racing. 
The House at' Mfula Store', offers overnight accommodation for visitors to this Rural area (FURTHER READING). Nearby is the Umgeni River, surrounding Valleys, Roads and isolated Homesteads. "These provide opportunities for all outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for a cultural experience within 50km of Durban"

By the 1956 race the entry had reached 48 starters and then the changes started happening: 'From a non-stop format; implemented compulsory overnights stops at Dusi Bridge and Khumalo’s Causeway.' For the first time the field of six doubles and 18 singles were set off in batches, on what was a desperately low River.

1957's victory for Ernie Pearce and Bob Templeton was due in part to an entry with a fibreglass canoe. The first paired winners, to win the race in 1958 when Rob Gouldie and Derek Antrobus and they won in very low river conditions!

Unfortunately, the poor state of the River has affected the marathon with some paddlers choosing to no longer participate in the sport, affecting participation in this premium event. Should the Dusi Marathon cease to exist, it will have ripple effects on the local socio-economy and the sporting career of upcoming young paddling professionals from disadvantaged communities all along the River, who have been developed over the Years through this event! "The Msunduzi River is amongst the Region’s most polluted, also affecting the larger Umgeni River which is the source of drinking water for Pietermaritzburg, Durban metro and Towns in between. The main pollutants are sewer effluent, chemical and organic waste, and solid waste that are continually discharged into the River!"
The work being done by TCTA goes a long way in drawing attention to the importance of 'River Clean-Ups' and effective waste and pollution management. Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) is a state-owned entity charged with financing and implementing bulk raw water infrastructure projects. It is an agency of the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), which is responsible for the country’s water resources in respect of usage, equitable allocation and distribution. TCTA assists the government in its pursuit of water security for South Africa and in realising its constitutional obligation of ensuring universal access to this essential resource for all citizens.

Andy Birkett's 2025 Dusi Canoe Marathon win pairs him with Grame Pope-Ellis for most number of Dusi wins, a whopping 15. The 34-year-old world champion finished the race in an overall time of 7 hours 12 minutes and 50 seconds!