The beauty of a village

 Story by Anele Zikali

Deep in the heart of a village in Eastern Cape, South Africa lies a beautiful haven filled with greenery, and natural vegetation. A safe and beautiful place with one of the largest employment factories in rural areas, Magwa is a village like no other. 

The village is surrounded by a large forest, Magwa Falls, Magwa tea plant and Mbotyi beach. All of these gems are the hidden located alongside a gravel road that is also constructed into a smooth road. 

The road starts with a large forest that tends to be dark if you drive at midnight. Distance is about an hour drive, 30km to accommodation and beach areas. There are few forest animals like monkeys that are spotted few times at night.

After the drive, there are a couple of resorts and accommodation options available for visitors a few village homes and a school. Then Mbotyi Beach is visible with a beautiful view. With sharks jumping and dolphins diving and dancing, you are fortunate to be greeted by nature’s wanders. 

On the roadsides is a large black tea farm that appears like neatly lined shrubs. One of the few tea plants in Southern Africa. It is popularly known as Magwa tea, another name for it is Majola tea because it is merged between two towns Lusikisiki at Mbotyi village and Majola village in Port St Johns.

Magwa tea is blended in five roses tea and other local teas. It is also sold mostly to tourists in the area and through networking. The compliments of its taste from the Magwa tea lovers will lead you to much craving for something natural and its natural flavor is likened to red and rooibos tea. Mostly it is sold in teabags and also available for home brewing to get a stronger taste and strain before consumption.

 The farm is about 1000 hectares, it is a state entity that manufactures, processes and distributes from a factory that in the village. It boasts itself as being the biggest employing firm in Pondoland.

It has more than 1000 employees who mostly are involved in cutting the tea leaves and sending them to the factory for processing and distribution. The tea naturally grows by itself and regrows after being cut.

Other activities in the area

Locals also do quite a lot of woodwork from the forest trees in Ntsubane village a neighborhood to Mbotyi. The contribution from the forest brings relief by lowering high numbers of unemployment especially in rural areas. There are trucks that pass from time to time going to town loaded with wood and stacks of chopped trees. 

The cut wood is mostly used for parallel lines and raftas that are used to build roof structures.

Tourists also keep themselves busy with hiking activities, beach walks, historic site visits and fishing. A couple of days out of the city to the cool sea breeze and watch sunrise and sunset from the beach view is breathtaking whilst taking a sip of Magwa tea whose taste has been likened to red or rooibos tea or a fish braai.

Many people visit to see the falls that are in the middle of the village. The bigger and more popular ones are Magwa Falls, followed by Angel Falls and Fraser Falls. These naturally flowing waters on rocky walls are just another added exotic spoil from mother nature

Safety and security are a surety when you are on you are in the area. There are boards that are written that the area is protected. Even the lodge owners say that it is indeed a secured area, well there were no threats nor red flags that indicated theft.

To be on the safer side, ensure to travel safely, read the tips below:

Tips to Mbotyi Beach/ Magwa Waterfalls and tea:

• Travel early, avoid arriving in the evening.

• Use a car that is designed to be driven on gravel road like a bakkie also known as a light pickup truck.

• Local public transport users can get a taxi ride or a shuttle in town.

• Bring your snacks and medication if you need them as the place is far from entities.

• Sunscreen and water must be your best friends.

• It was advised by the tourist guide to not walk alone at the falls just in case of slipping by accident and also carry extra cash.   

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