Amanzimtoti River
Encyclopedia
Amanzimtoti River, is a short river in the KwaZulu-Natal
province of South Africa
, that originates northwest of Adams Mission, and flows through the town of Amanzimtoti, South Africa
. The N2
crosses the river just before its mouth at the Indian Ocean
. (coordinates river mouth see Manzimtoti Lagoon).
is said to have named the river after drinking the waters and exclaiming in isiZulu
"Kanti amanzi mtoti" meaning "So, the water is sweet". The river came to be known to English speakers as Amanzimtoti ("Sweet Waters"). The Zulu word for "sweet" is mnandi, but Shaka's mother had the name Nandi, so he is said to have invented the word 'toti' to replace mnandi, so as not to wear out her name.
Recently it has been proposed to officially change the name to Manzamtoti to more accurately reflect the isiZulu pronunciation and spelling, though many Amanzimtoti residents still refer to the river as Amanzimtoti River, Manzimtoti River or simply Toti River.
A recent alternative, and unpopular, suggestion for the origin of the name of the river is in the isiZulu word 'udoti' meaning dirt, which fits more closely with 'toti', and that the name actually means "Dirty Water".
At one time it was possible to travel by boat from the town centre to the River Gardens Hotel, which was a popular Sunday activity. Siltation eventually made this impossible, until the river was dredged a number of times in the 1990s. However the dredging process was seen by some conservationists as destructive, and by others as expensive. The river has once again silted to a large extent.
The river is now flanked in a portion by a nature reserve called Ilanda Wilds
. The river and nature reserve are home to a number of rare and endangered species, and high biodiversity
compared to the size of the area.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
province of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, that originates northwest of Adams Mission, and flows through the town of Amanzimtoti, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The N2
N2 (South Africa)
The N2 is a National Route in South Africa; it is the main highway along the Indian Ocean coast of the country. The N2 starts in Cape Town in the Western Cape and runs through the cities of Port Elizabeth and East London in the Eastern Cape and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal to end at Ermelo in...
crosses the river just before its mouth at the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
. (coordinates river mouth see Manzimtoti Lagoon).
Etymology
Zulu king ShakaShaka
Shaka kaSenzangakhona , also known as Shaka Zulu , was the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom....
is said to have named the river after drinking the waters and exclaiming in isiZulu
Zulu language
Zulu is the language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers, the vast majority of whom live in South Africa. Zulu is the most widely spoken home language in South Africa as well as being understood by over 50% of the population...
"Kanti amanzi mtoti" meaning "So, the water is sweet". The river came to be known to English speakers as Amanzimtoti ("Sweet Waters"). The Zulu word for "sweet" is mnandi, but Shaka's mother had the name Nandi, so he is said to have invented the word 'toti' to replace mnandi, so as not to wear out her name.
Recently it has been proposed to officially change the name to Manzamtoti to more accurately reflect the isiZulu pronunciation and spelling, though many Amanzimtoti residents still refer to the river as Amanzimtoti River, Manzimtoti River or simply Toti River.
A recent alternative, and unpopular, suggestion for the origin of the name of the river is in the isiZulu word 'udoti' meaning dirt, which fits more closely with 'toti', and that the name actually means "Dirty Water".
History
The river was once flanked by extensive marsh-lands and reed-beds, but these were filled in to build the town centre and a rubbish dump. The rubbish dump was later covered over and developed into sports fields.At one time it was possible to travel by boat from the town centre to the River Gardens Hotel, which was a popular Sunday activity. Siltation eventually made this impossible, until the river was dredged a number of times in the 1990s. However the dredging process was seen by some conservationists as destructive, and by others as expensive. The river has once again silted to a large extent.
The river is now flanked in a portion by a nature reserve called Ilanda Wilds
Ilanda Wilds
Ilanda Wilds is a nature reserve situated along Amanzimtoti River in the town of Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This small area of land contains various habitat types, ranging from steep rocky slopes to various riverine habitats, forest and small patches of grassland..- History :A...
. The river and nature reserve are home to a number of rare and endangered species, and high biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
compared to the size of the area.