Ramsgate, KwaZulu-Natal


Ramsgate is a village on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Ramsgate is located on the mouth of a river known by the Zulu name Bilanhlolo for the bubbles caused by strong currents making it look like the water is boiling. In 1922, the only person living there was a romantic character called Paul Buck, a painter and violin maker who called the place Blue Lagoon.
Ramsgate is known as one of the quaintest seaside towns in South Africa along with Simon's Town near Cape Town, Noetzie in Knysna, Yzerfontein, Coffee Bay and Arniston.

Geography

Ramsgate lies 20 km south-west of Port Shepstone and 131 km south-west of Durban. It also lies on the R61 and R620 regional routes in which the R61 connects to Port Shepstone, Durban and Bizana whilst the R620 connects to Southbroom, Margate and Port Shepstone.
It is surrounded by Margate to the north and Southbroom to the south.

Tourism

Ramsgate has two beaches, a main beach and a south beach. The main beach is located on the mouth of the Bilanhlolo River whilst the south beach is located near the Mbizane River mouth.
Other attractions in Ramsgate include the Waffle House, Butterfly Valley Butterfly Farm and the Bellevue Park.

Safety

Ramsgate is one of the safest holiday destinations in South Africa but just like any other town in South Africa it isn't crime free. However, Ramsgate has a crime prevention cluster comprising the South Africa Police Services, Ray Nkonyeni Municipal Protection Services and the Ramsgate Community Police Forum, are deployed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the holiday season. Additional resources are deployed to the beaches and coastal walkways and in the village and special attention is being given to the strict enforcement of municipal bylaws.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The Ramsgate Magistrates Court is located in the corner of Alford Avenue and the R620. Ramsgate Boulevard is a shopping centre on Marine Drive which consists of SPAR and other stores.

Churches

Churches in Ramsgate include: