Ballito is an affluent town located in
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Ballito is about north of
Durban
Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...
. It forms part of the
KwaDukuza Local Municipality
KwaDukuza Local Municipality is one of four municipalities under iLembe District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Main places
The 2001 census divided the municipality into the following main places:
Politics
The municipal counc ...
, and
iLembe District Municipality. Dolphins are common on this stretch of the
North Coast shoreline, hence the nickname Dolphin Coast.
History
The town was established in 1954 as a private township, by the Glen Anil Development Corporation/Investments which was headed up by Dr Edward (Eddie) Rubenstein (1903–1972). The town's name was borrowed from a glossy advert for Ballito hosiery made by
Ballito Hosiery Limited of
St. Albans
St Albans () is a cathedral city in Hertfordshire, England, east of Hemel Hempstead and west of Hatfield, north-west of London, south-west of Welwyn Garden City and south-east of Luton. St Albans was the first major town on the old Roman r ...
, England. The area was originally portion of a sugar cane farm at
Compensation Beach
Compensation may refer to:
*Financial compensation
*Compensation (chess), various advantages a player has in exchange for a disadvantage
* ''Compensation'' (essay), by Ralph Waldo Emerson
* ''Compensation'' (film), a 2000 film
*Compensation (psych ...
owned by Basil Townsend.
The Sunday Tribune printed in 1954 an advert for Ballito Bay inviting potential investors to the North Coast with prices of land from R790.00 (395 SA Pounds). By 1964 the zonings for Ballitoville's residential buildings, hotels and a caravan park had already been incorporated into the town plan known as Compensation Beach and this area stretched out from Willard Beach to Clark Bay, Salmon Bay and Port Zimbali. A brochure with the first marketing pictures of Ballito, was put out to attract the holiday makers to invest in the area with the slogan: "Buy, Build & Play at Ballito Bay, The Caribbean of the North Coast – Natal". Ballito,
Salt Rock Salt rock or Salt Rock may refer to:
*Rock salt
Halite (), commonly known as rock salt, is a type of salt, the mineral (natural) form of sodium chloride ( Na Cl). Halite forms isometric crystals. The mineral is typically colorless or white, ...
and
Shaka's Rock
Shaka's Rock is a town on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Shaka's Rock is a small residential village from Durban. Its name comes from a promontory over which the Zulu chief Shaka is said to have thrown his enemies and to have ...
are favourite holiday destinations for local South Africans and also foreign tourists on their way to
Zululand and the historical
battle
A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...
fields.
Jack Nash (1914–2016) gives a personal history
from the early beginning of Ballito through to 1986 when he left the area and includes a history of some of the early pioneers and characters of the town. These include his father-in-law, Reg Fripp, who built many of the early houses. Jack Nash, who lived until shortly before his death in Amber Valley,
Howick, own history includes being the Estate Agent for Glen Anil in Ballito through to him being the Chairman of the Ballito and the North Coast Publicity Associations. Jack's wife Gaye Nash née Fripp, the young ballet dancer holding the "little ball" or ballito above her head in the full page press release to publicise the then new township in the Sunday Tribune of 23 November 1954, still lives in Howick.
Geography
Ballito is located on a series of hills overlooking the
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or ~19.8% of the water on Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east. To the south it is bounded by t ...
with the altitude rising from the coastline to the Ballito Central Business District (CBD) and Umhlali Country Club.
Ballito is located about 24 km south-east of
KwaDukuza
KwaDukuza is a municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In 2006, the municipal name was changed to KwaDukuza (which incorporates small towns such as Stanger, Balito, Shaka's Kraal, but the Zulu people in the area called it "Dukuza" well before ...
(formerly Stanger) and 40 km north-east of
Durban
Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...
and is situated between
Shaka’s Rock and Simbithi Eco Estate to the north and Zimbali Coastal Estate/Port Zimbali to the south.
Communities
The Greater Ballito area includes 7 smaller communities alongside Ballito proper (the main town) which is bordered by the
N2 highway
The N2 is a national route in South Africa that runs from Cape Town through George, Gqeberha, East London, Mthatha and Durban to Ermelo. It is the main highway along the Indian Ocean coast of the country. Its current length of makes it ...
to the west. These smaller communities include:
* Caledon Estate is a gated residential estate located north-west of Ballito and south of the railway (''North Coast Line'') and Shaka’s Head.
* Port Zimbali Estate is an affluent estate located south-west of Ballito and west of the Zimbali Coastal Estate and is the largest component of Greater Zimbali. It also consists of the Zimbali Country Club which it shares with Zimbali Coastal Estate.
* Shaka’s Head is a township located north-west of Ballito and bordered by Salt Rock Road to the north-east, the R102 to the north-west, the railway to the south and Ballito Drive in the south-west. It is also the furthest suburb of the Greater Ballito area.
*
Shaka’s Rock is a small seaside village which is located north of Ballito.
* Simbithi Eco Estate is an affluent eco residential estate with a country club located north-west of Ballito and above (west of) Shaka’s Rock.
* Umhlali Golf and Country Estate is an affluent residential estate consisting of the Umhlali Country Club and is located north-west of Ballito.
* Zimbali Coastal Estate or just Zimbali Estate is an affluent coastal forest estate located south of Ballito and east of Port Zimbali and consists of the Zimbali Country Club.
Ballito, Shaka’s Rock, Simbithi Eco Estate, Port Zimbali and Zimbali Coastal Estate are located east of the N2 highway whilst Caledon Estate, Shaka’s Head and Umhlali Golf and Country Eatate are located west of the N2 highway and east of the
R102
The R.102 (originally referred to as Project H) was a British airship planned in 1930 but never built.
The development of R.102 resulted from the Imperial Airship Scheme, when it became apparent that the R100 and R101 airships then being buil ...
.
The Greater Ballito area also extends beyond it’s administrative boundaries to include the nearby settlements of
Salt Rock Salt rock or Salt Rock may refer to:
*Rock salt
Halite (), commonly known as rock salt, is a type of salt, the mineral (natural) form of sodium chloride ( Na Cl). Halite forms isometric crystals. The mineral is typically colorless or white, ...
, Sheffield Beach, Brettenwood Coastal Estate, Tinley Manor Beach, uMhlali and
Shakaskraal.
Infrastructure
Transport
Ballito is mainly accessed by the major
N2 highway
The N2 is a national route in South Africa that runs from Cape Town through George, Gqeberha, East London, Mthatha and Durban to Ermelo. It is the main highway along the Indian Ocean coast of the country. Its current length of makes it ...
which is the only freeway that passes Ballito. The N2 borders Ballito to the west and links the town to
KwaDukuza
KwaDukuza is a municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In 2006, the municipal name was changed to KwaDukuza (which incorporates small towns such as Stanger, Balito, Shaka's Kraal, but the Zulu people in the area called it "Dukuza" well before ...
in the north-east and
oThongathi and
Durban
Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...
in the south-west. Access to Ballito from the N2 can be obtained mainly through the M4 ''Ballito Drive'' interchange (Exit 210) and within the Greater Ballito area, access from the N2 can be obtained through the Shaka’s Rock interchange (Exit 212) and Salt Rock interchange (Exit 214) to the north of Ballito.
The
M4 (Ballito Drive) is the main arterial route through Ballito and a metropolitan route that links the coastal town to
uMhlanga and
Durban
Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...
to the south-west as well as the N2 highway, Compensation and the R102 to the west. The M4 can also be used an alternative route to
eMdloti
(previously and popularly known as Umdloti or Umdloti Beach), is a small resort village on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, South Africa that is situated at the mouth of the Mdloti River north of Durban and now forms part of eThekwini, the Grea ...
, uMhlanga and Durban for motorists avoiding the tolled N2 highway and especially the oThongathi Toll Plaza.
The
R102
The R.102 (originally referred to as Project H) was a British airship planned in 1930 but never built.
The development of R.102 resulted from the Imperial Airship Scheme, when it became apparent that the R100 and R101 airships then being buil ...
is a
regional route that runs towards the outer west outskirts of Ballito and links the town to oThongathi,
Verulam and Durban in the south-west and
Shakaskraal and KwaDukuza in the north-west. The R102 can also be used an alternative route to KwaDukuza for motorists avoiding the tolled N2 highway and especially the Mvoti Toll Plaza.
Smaller secondary routes within Greater Ballito include ‘Ballito Drive’ (excluding the M4 section) linking the
Central Business District (CBD) to the coastline below, the road linking Shaka’s Head and the nearby industrial estate to Simbithi Eco Estate and
Shaka’s Rock and ‘Salt Rock Road’ linking uMhlali to
Salt Rock Salt rock or Salt Rock may refer to:
*Rock salt
Halite (), commonly known as rock salt, is a type of salt, the mineral (natural) form of sodium chloride ( Na Cl). Halite forms isometric crystals. The mineral is typically colorless or white, ...
.
Tourism
Today Ballito is a thriving community of its own with ties to primary and high schools in and around Ballito,
uMhlanga,
KwaDukuza
KwaDukuza is a municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In 2006, the municipal name was changed to KwaDukuza (which incorporates small towns such as Stanger, Balito, Shaka's Kraal, but the Zulu people in the area called it "Dukuza" well before ...
and
oThongathi. Ballito has grown exponentially in recent times and has two shopping malls, Lifestyle centre and The Junction. Fantastic family adventure attractions such as the
crocodile farm
A crocodile farm or alligator farm is an establishment for breeding and raising of crocodilians in order to produce crocodile and alligator meat, leather from crocodile and alligator skin, and other goods. Many species of both alligators an ...
and
microlight
Ultralight aviation (called microlight aviation in some countries) is the flying of lightweight, 1- or 2-seat fixed-wing aircraft. Some countries differentiate between weight-shift control and conventional three-axis control aircraft with aile ...
flights and tours. It is a holiday destination with hotels and self-catering accommodation, swimming (Willard) and
surfing beaches (Boulder). A promenade about long along the beach front allows for walking and jogging. The
Gunston 500 surfing contest, renamed Ballito Pro sponsored by
Billabong
Billabong ( ) is an Australian term for an oxbow lake, an isolated pond left behind after a river changes course. Billabongs are usually formed when the path of a creek or river changes, leaving the former branch with a dead end. As a result ...
, has been shifted from the Bay of Plenty in Durban's
Golden Mile Golden Mile or The Golden Mile may refer to:
Geographical features
* Golden Mile (Belfast), Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK)
* Golden Mile (Blackpool), Blackpool, UK
* Golden Mile (Brentford), Brentford, UK
* Golden Mile (Leices ...
to Ballito where it is held annually in July.
Business sector
Ballito's business sector has also grown significantly with a large commercial business park bordering the
N2 freeway. With a full service industry within the commercial business park, Ballito now caters to a growing business community on the
North Coast. Enterprise iLembe, the region's investment arm, has been formed to develop Ballito and the iLembe area as an investment destination of choice. The development of the
King Shaka International Airport and
Dube TradePort
Dube Tradeport Corporation is a business entity of the KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial government that manages a 3,000ha infrastructure project called the Dube Tradeport Special Economic Zone set up to promote local and international trad ...
to the south have also contributed significantly to the growth of Ballito.
Growth
In recent years, there has been a population boom in Ballito. Various secure or gated estates, the largest being Zimbali Coastal Resort and Estate followed by Simbithi, have been built in and around the town on land that was previously used as sugar cane farms. Many new hotels and resorts have opened, drawing even more tourists into this picturesque part of the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Plans are currently on the table for new schools to be constructed, a new town centre, a taxi rank, and a larger clinic. The main entrance to Ballito from the N2 highway has been upgraded, with the construction of an multi level interchange to ease traffic, the widening of the road to four lanes in Ballito Drive, and proper pedestrian walkways.
File:Ballito South Africa beach view.jpg, Ballito beach view
File:Ballito_South_Africa_beach_view_1.jpg, Ballito beach
File:Ballito South Africa beach view 2.jpg, Early morning fishing
File: Surfer_air.JPG, Surfer off Ballito Beach
File: Surfer_air2.JPG , Airborne surfer off Ballito Beach
References
External links
Zimbali Coastal Resort & Estate
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballito, Kwazulu-Natal
Populated places in the KwaDukuza Local Municipality
1954 establishments in South Africa