Living in a town where holidays are generally a case of droves of visitors coming in to enjoy the warm weather and beaches is hard on residents. It is their bread and butter but at the same time, there is that overwhelming desire to enjoy peace when they can, and preserve the natural beauty of their coastal town of Amanzimtoti.

Here are some of the fun stuff locals of Toti enjoy either during peak season or when the town is quiet with less visitors.

Amanzintoti Bird Sanctuary

Aside from being the haven for birds in South Africa, this sanctuary is also a place residents go to for some peace and quiet. The vegetation is thick and lush and walking the trails, one hears the gentle twitter of birds.

This 4.5 hectare property has gardens, sprawling lawns, a pond, tea garden, and a forest. One can either go wandering about alone or ask a guide to walk with you. It’s an enchanting experience that can be repeated often. Any proceeds from food or drinks bough inside the sanctuary has been designated to be given to charity.

Sports

There is an abundance of sports to enjoy while living in Amanzimtoti. These are surfing, bowling, cycling, hiking, cricket, tennis, rugby, soccer,, and squash. Most of the land sports activities can be played at Hutchison Park while the water sports is obviously along the coast and beach. It is also an option to visit the water park which is in town.

Town Activities

Aside from the malls, there are arcades, Arbour Crossing which is a shopping center, a hypermart, skating rink. Retail outlets, bowling alley, and theaters. Also in town are some of the gourmet restaurants, bars, and a very active nightlife.

Serious Business for Residents

There is a serious side to living in Amanzimtoti. One would be the cause for Aliwal Shoal.This is a popular diving spot and one of the top international dive sites. One of its attractions is the Raggie Cave where one can swim beside ragged-toothed sharks.

In 2006, the Amanzimtoti Publicity Association or APA issued an announcement about the change in name to Aliwal Coast. It is a piece of legislature that would mean huge expense in terms of changing Toti into Aliwal Coast. Furthermore, many were concerned that it was an effort of the white community with very little input from anyone else.

It is currently at a point where arguments are being heard, and one suggestion was just to change the name from a marketing angle. Aside from Aliwal Coast, Sapphire was another name given. This has been accepted to a certain point which is why visitors are hearing more about Aliwal Coast or Sapphire than Toti or Amanzimtoti town.

Another cause that the residents of Toti are involved in is the Community Crime Prevention Organisation or CCPO. This is a non-political, non-government group that aims to make the community a safer place to live in. They are also known by their nickname, Toti Crime and they have a Facebook account. Members of the CCPO can report suspicious behavior through the internet and have done so several times. It is a non-profit organization that charges fees for services rendered. The money collected is used for operations and maintenance of the organisation. They do not limit themselves to residential areas but also to commercial areas and all residential areas.