Margate history

Foundation and Origin of the Name

The history of the town of Margate dates back to the early 20th century. It was officially laid out in 1908 by the English surveyor Henry Richardson. Inspired by the picturesque nature of the local coastline, Richardson decided to name the new settlement after the famous seaside resort of Margate in Kent, United Kingdom. This symbolic name largely predetermined the town's future destiny as a popular holiday destination.

Key Factors of Establishment

The development of Margate was driven by a combination of natural factors and a fortunate location:

• Geography and River: The town grew at the mouth of the Nkongweni River. In the Zulu language, this name means "place of supplication". According to local legends, travellers were often forced to plead with local residents to ferry them across the river, as the current was strong and the crossing difficult.
• Resort Focus: Unlike the industrial centres of the region, Margate was formed initially as a recreational zone. Magnificent sandy beaches and the warm climate of the Indian Ocean became the main drivers of the settlement's growth.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, Margate was a quiet and cosy coastal village. Economic life was built around seasonal tourism and fishing. The early culture of the town was formed in an atmosphere of relaxed beach leisure, where the first hospitality infrastructure gradually appeared — from simple cottages to the first hotels, laying the foundation for its status as the "tourism capital" of the South Coast.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1908 — Surveyor Henry Richardson draws up the plan for the future settlement and names it after the English seaside resort.
• 1924 — A mysterious sea creature, known as "Trunko" or the "Margate Monster", is sighted on the coast, giving rise to numerous legends.
• 1947 — The British Royal Family visits the South Coast, contributing to the growth of the resort's popularity among holidaymakers.
• 1973 — Margate officially receives borough (municipality) status, confirming its importance as a developing town.
• 1970s — Active development of Margate Airport opens up direct tourist flows from the country's major cities.
• 2000 — The town becomes part of the larger Hibiscus Coast Municipality as part of administrative reforms in South Africa.
• 2016 — The local administrative district is renamed the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, with Margate remaining its key tourism hub.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The evolution of Margate is inextricably linked to its transformation into the "tourism capital" of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. The town has journeyed from a small settlement to a bustling resort with developed infrastructure.

• Post-War Tourism Boom (Late 1940s).
  Following World War II and the Royal Family's visit, interest in the resort increased sharply. This led to the first large-scale construction of hotels and guest houses, turning tourism into the foundation of the local economy.
• Urbanisation of the Coastline (1960–1970s).
  During this period, the architectural appearance of the town changed. Low-rise buildings were replaced by multi-apartment complexes and high-rise apartments along the beach, forming Margate's recognisable modern skyline.
• Development of Transport Accessibility.
  The expansion and modernisation of Margate Airport allowed for the establishment of regular air links with Johannesburg. This opened the resort to residents of remote regions of the country, significantly increasing the flow of holidaymakers on weekends.
• Implementation of Environmental Standards.
  Margate Beach became one of the first in the region to receive the prestigious "Blue Flag" status. This event was of immense importance for the town's reputation, confirming the cleanliness of the water and the safety of the infrastructure at an international level.
• Formation of an Events Tourism Hub.
  The launch of regular festivals, such as the "Mardi Gras" street fairs and biker gatherings (Africa Bike Week), transformed the cultural life of the town. These events made it possible to attract tourists not only during the beach season but throughout the year.
• Renovation of Public Spaces (2000s – Present).
  In recent decades, city authorities have focused on renewing the promenade and pedestrian zones. Improvement projects are aimed at maintaining the resort's competitiveness and creating a comfortable environment for both tourists and local residents.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Margate's architecture is a classic example of resort urbanism, where the development of the urban environment was entirely subordinated to the tourism industry. The urban structure has a linear character: the town stretches along the Indian Ocean coast, where the density and height of buildings are maximal near the water and gradually decrease as one moves inland.

Evolution of Styles and Eras

In the appearance of the town, one can trace the transition from a modest colonial settlement to a modern centre of mass tourism:

• Early Settlement Style (1910–1940s).
  At the beginning of its existence, Margate was built up with single-storey cottages and bungalows. The style of these structures leaned towards simplified colonial architecture with elements of the English seaside style: pitched roofs, wide verandas for protection from the sun, and the use of local materials. These buildings created the atmosphere of a quiet village.
• Resort Modernism and Functionalism (1960–1980s).
  The period of rapid growth was marked by the construction of multi-storey residential complexes and hotels along the beachfront. The architecture of this time is strictly utilitarian and relates to functionalism. The main goal was to ensure a sea view for the maximum number of apartments. Concrete high-rises with rhythmic rows of balconies became the town's calling card, forming its recognisable high-rise profile.
• Modern Commercial Architecture (from the 1990s).
  Development in recent decades has focused on retail and entertainment infrastructure. New buildings and reconstructed ground floors of high-rises often bear the features of commercial postmodernism, oriented towards attracting tourists' attention with bright facades and open terraces.

Iconic Objects Shaping the Cityscape

• The "Wall" of Apartments (The Holiday Flats): A dense row of high-rise buildings along the beach (such as the Seagull or Santana complexes) is the main architectural dominant. They create the effect of an amphitheatre facing the ocean.
• Historic Centre: At some distance from the beach, blocks with low-rise buildings have been preserved, reminiscent of the early stages of the town's history, where one can still encounter buildings from the mid-20th century.
• Coastal Infrastructure: The fishing pier and the landscaped promenade are important engineering and architectural elements connecting the urban environment with the natural landscape.

Founders and Pioneers of Development

• Henry Richardson — Surveyor and creator of the town's name
  An English surveyor who played a key role in the birth of the town. In 1908, it was he who drew up the first plan for the future settlement and proposed naming it "Margate" in honour of the popular seaside resort in Kent (UK), seeing a resemblance in the beauty of the coastline. His vision defined the resort destiny of this area long before the appearance of the first hotels.
• Hugh Ballance — Entrepreneur and resort founder
  The man who turned Margate from farmland into a tourism hub. Having bought the land in 1919, he quickly realised that agriculture was unprofitable here, and in 1921 divided the territory into plots for holidaymakers. Ballance actively advertised the village and is considered the "father" of Margate's tourism industry.

Sports Legends and Contemporaries

• Heather Clark — Professional surfer, "Queen of the South Coast"
  One of South Africa's most titled athletes, a native of the region and a local legend. Clark became the first South African woman to win the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series in Hawaii. Today she lives in a suburb of Margate (St Michaels) and runs her own surf school, inspiring a new generation of athletes.
• Burry Stander — Mountain Bike (MTB) World Champion
  An outstanding cyclist who was born and lived on the South Coast (Shelly Beach, a suburb of Margate). He became the Under-23 World Champion and represented South Africa at the Olympic Games. His tragic death during a training session in 2013 shook the community, but his name is immortalised in the names of popular cycling routes in the region.

Historical and Public Figures

• Ray Nkonyeni — Activist and community leader
  A prominent anti-apartheid campaigner and local leader born in nearby Gamalakhe. Although his activities covered the entire region, his name holds special significance for the town today: in 2016, the local municipality, of which Margate is the administrative and tourism centre, was officially renamed the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality in honour of his contribution to the country's history.