Aside from the wonderful legend of how Amanzimtoti got its name, this coastal town is known throughout history as being the town people pass through to get somewhere else. However, these very same travelers have stopped to rest in Amanzimtoti or Toti for short because they become intrigued by the beauty and serenity that the town offers.

When Zulu king, Shaka stopped between 1816 and 1828, he was on his way further south. He had to stop and rest, and legend has it that he rested under a fig tree. Some locals believe that this very same fig tree lived for centuries and only just died in 1972.

In 1842, another historical figure, Dick King passed through Toti on his way to Grahamstown. His mission was to find help for a British garrison in Port Natal. The road he traveled on was named after him, Kingsway.

Some people who traveled and reached Amanzimtoti had every intention of settling down in Toti. One was Dr. Newton Adams who in 1847 decided to put up a mission station. Unfortunately, he died 5 years later. Reverend Rood was also sent to Toti to start a school. This was in 1853 and the school exists up to today, and known as Adams College.

Historical Moments in Brief

Here are some of the moments in the history of Toti that has made the town as special as it is today.

• The first train through Amanzimtoti was in 1897 coming from Durban. A small shanty served as the train station
• The first hotel was built in 1898 but burned down in 1899
• A factory that made explosives was built in 1907 in Umbogintwini and the workers lived in Toti
• By 1910 there were about 12 families living there and a Toti Hotel with 50 rooms, mainly for holidaymakers
• By 1920, the steam train began to pass through Toti and the first primary school was built
• Amanzimtoti was given local administration in 1934 with 734 residents
• Four years later, electricity was introduced and in 1945, telephone lines were installed
• 1949 was a banner year with running water and plumbing, a gas station, and post office

By World War II, Toti became a refuge for many British and Middle Eastern evacuees and this lead to more progress and development in the town. A shopping complex was built and the largest building on Amanzimtoti was constructed.

December 23, 1985

This is one of the darkest days of Toti when a man, Andrew Zondo blew up a trash bin inside the shopping complex as a form of protest on anti-Apartheid terrorism. Two women and 3 children died with over 40 more injured. It put Amanzimtoti on the world news and not in a good way at all. That was the bleakest Christmas in Toti.

Sardine Run

Aside from the beaches and lagoons, Toti has more to offer like the yearly sardine run. This annual event is not exclusive to Toti and happens down the south coast. Toti attracts many visitors and residents to experience billions of sardines swimming in places where divers can go. Often, there are also other fish like sharks, dolphins, whales who are attracted to the food.