Back to Nature

Researchers allege that South Africa is the birthplace of humankind. There is a closeness to Mother Nature and Africans have, since the beginning of time, heralded earth as a healer, teacher and all-in-all. While many flock to Margate, a seaside resort town in KwaZulu-Natal for its booming nightlife, entertainment and infrastructural developments; there is more disguised in the modest form of “less”. Margate’s greener side is rising and rightfully attracting locals and tourists to its farm stalls, country crafts and fresh produce avenues.

While the world copes with an international pandemic, many have turned to nature to find solace. After lockdowns and quarantines across the globe, a significant number of tourists are opting for attractions found in nature. There is a renewed urge to promote greener spaces and dine in the rawness of our natural surroundings. It is against this backdrop that Margate can be praised for answering this call with ease – proving once again that the call to nature, green spaces and pro-earth interactions are vital.

FARM STALLS

True to the name KwaZulu, which means “Place of the Zulu” or “Place of the Heavens,” Margate offers farm stalls that showcase some of the province’s best offerings. What sets these farm stalls apart is that they have a multicultural undertone, offering not just fresh farm produce but the most extensive selection of produce grown in the area. The stalls serve as cultural melting pots, often filled with tasty nibbles and samples, local music and a wholesome environment. These stalls are also pit stops where consumers can interact with sellers to get the story behind the produce while supporting job creation and the local economy.

When visiting a farm stall, do your best to support the growers of local produce, and if applicable, respect any farm animals or plantations in the vicinity. From generally moving around Margate’s farm stalls, I am convinced that at times they not only match the quality found at large chain stores but go beyond that service offering to exhibit an intimate, personal touch. Whether you are buying locally grown bananas, homemade baked goods or beaded traditional souvenir dolls; there’s a face with a name behind the merchandise. At times, some traders will even invite you to see how it’s made or fill you in on their unique touches without giving away safely guarded family recipes.

Visit Buck’s Farm Stall at Marina Beach, Margate for an unforgettable, locally-infused authentic Margate farm stall experience. For more information, call +27 39 313 0009.

COUNTRY CRAFTS

Art and crafts are crucial to stirring creativity and serve as a form of expression in many societies. Being creative is an outlet to vent, educate, entertain and share unspoken stories that no words can ever narrate. Margate does not fall short of country crafts and creative forms of expressions. There are country crafts throughout the town and its vicinity. A trip around the region reinforces how art and crafts help to transmit culture from one generation to the other. At times, you can see traditional grannies threading beads,

other times, communities host tourists for fun art classes to transfer skills.

One such place where local country crafts, heritage and art is upheld is the Margate Art Museum. Since it opened in 1994, this space has covered ground in exhibiting work predominantly by local artists – without sidelining artists outside the district. What sets this hub apart is that it does not just offer work by adults and “known” artists, but has a school corner that features work created by local school learners. Entrance is free. People assemble here for guided tours, informative workshops and exhibitions.

Visit the Margate Art Museum in Margate or call +27 39 312 8392 for more information.

FRESH PRODUCE

The province of KwaZulu-Natal beams with warmth – from the people to the climate – and this shows in its abundant fresh produce. In addition to being a lively seaside town, Margate is a food lover’s paradise filled with both big and quaint little stands to buy earth’s bountiful nourishments and supplies. It is not just the ocean that shows off with its spectacular sardine run at the appointed season, but the ground is fertile and giving.

When it comes to fresh produce, you will be spoilt for choice. One of the places to pop in when in the area is Kumnandi Farm Shop at Sebenza Village in Margate. It excels in wholesome organic vegetables, and they