The history of Zinkwazi Beach is fascinating, it was the time of the early Iron Age, about 300 – 1000 AD. "A place of human culture, characterized by the use of iron tools and weapons. No roads or tracks marred the landscape, the wheel was an unknown to the inhabitants and only trample- paths by man and beast criss-crossed this area!"
Zinkwazi means "the place of the Fish Eagle" in isiZulu. The name refers to the bird and its haunting cry, which is still part of the soundscape in the coastal town of Zinkwazi.
Along the coastal belt, stretching between the Nonoti and Tugela rivers, the nomadic “Strandlopers” appeared, gathering sustenance mainly from the sea and temporarily settling where food was found. One of their favorite resting and watering places, confirmed by archaeological discoveries, was the beach area just south of the Zinkwazi Lagoon mount, where natural springs brought forth sweet water, to their liking!
One of these springs still flows today through Lot 47 off Nkwazi drive.(LINK IN FURTHER READING)
In 1922, Mr. L Balcomb discovered, on his lagoon site, human remains, which were confirmed and identified, by the University of Natal, to be those of the nomadic “Strandlopers”. Again in 1958, when a local farmer, Herman Schmidt was digging foundations for a boathouse along the lagoon he unearthed human remains.
Although the first white settlers were already arriving in the Durban area and the area south of the Nonti River from 1824 and 1840 respectively, settlement in the area between the Nonoti and Tugela rivers rivers only happened in the late 1850’s. One of the first settlers was a certain Joshua Walmsley. The granting of government land was the official start of the white settlements. A merchant from Cape Town, Mr. Pieter Gerhardus van der Byl, was the first to secure a grant for 633 acres of sea facing land on the south side of the Zinkwazi Lagoon for, four shillings per acre on the 27th of March 1857. Four years later on the 15th of June 1861, he sold the land to the Natal Land and Colonization Company for two pounds per acre making a nice profit of 1000%. Between the period 1861 to 1903 the land was offered for sale without any success. In 1903 Mr. Bernard Theunissen acquired the first 2-acre plot on the south bank of the Zinkwazi Lagoon. Further sales during this time followed to Horace Balcomb and Elias Andreas Hagemann. These families still own property in Zinkwazi today.
The tranquil holiday village of Zinkwazi Beach is located just off the N2 highway, midway between Durban and Richards Bay, nestled between undulating sugar-cane fields, an un-spoilt lagoon and pristine beaches. The new King Shaka International Airport is a short 25min. drive to the south with Zululand’s wealth of splendid Game Reserves, tribal life and historical sites a short trip to the north.
Zinkwazi is spoilt with endless sandy beaches and a fresh water lagoon lapping the northern edge of the village. It’s a nature lover’s wonderland of picturesque scenery, walks, fishing, spectacular bird life and indigenous forests. Its name is derived from the IsiZulu word meaning “the place of the Fish Eagle” Their haunting cry is still part of the magic in Zinkwazi beach. The local Deep Sea Angling club is situated on the main beach and members of the club have access to launch boats, jet skis etc. into the sea and lagoon.
The tranquil Zinkwazi Lagoon, which is reputed to be the longest in KZN, gives the area a special atmosphere. It is a beautiful stretch of water rich in fish, prawn and crab life and is generally navigable to small crafts up to 7km from the mouth before it becomes a narrow stream. Bird life is abundant with over 230 confirmed species headed by the magnificent Fish Eagle.
Zinkwazi beaches are protected by shark nets with its own Sharks Board compound. Surfing and snorkeling, specifically Cray Fishing, are very popular. Whale and Dolphin watching is another leisurely pastime that can be enjoyed from ZINKWAZI’s beautiful shores.
