Why Umdloti is the best town on the North Coast

Terry Rens is a well-known name in the little beach town, Umdloti, fondly known as “the 568”.

She grew up in Umdloti and knew that she would never want to leave the North Coast haven.

“It feels like a gated community, but without the gates,” Rens said.

Umdloti is affectionately called “the 568” by locals referring to the common three digits in telephone numbers for the area.

“Umdloti is the perfect location, as it is by the beach, but the airport is only a few kilometres away and the busy Umhlanga is around the corner.”

“We like to think of our town as the Camps Bay of Durban,” she said, laughing.

The nature lover has been involved in getting the unofficial Urban Improvement Project (UIP) off the ground over the past few years and is proud of the work they have achieved so far.

“We are working on a few projects, such as the dune rehabilitation project, maintaining a safe and secure Umdloti and the ongoing process of trying to link Umhlanga and Umdloti from an environmental aspect.”

One of the main difficulties the UIP faces, is the fairly strong division between North and South Umdloti and of course Bellamont Road up on the hill.

“My dream would be to see a united Umdloti.”

The division causes a fair amount of tension, which is sad and a little ridiculous, because it is such a small town to start with.

Southern Umdloti has been very supportive of the UIP initiative and they have had great success in tightening security in the area.

The problem with the northern side seems to be that most of the buildings are used as holiday flats and therefore people constantly come and go and the apartments are left empty for long periods of time.

This creates the perfect breeding ground for crime.

Nevertheless, the security has tightened drastically over the years and Rens is happy to have been part of this improvement.

Rens also adores the environment and does what she can to encourage conservation.

She rounds up her troops twice a year for a snare hunt that they do in the wildlife habitat zone.

“On a good day we collect up to 15 snares.”

When she is not busy with the UIP, she gets creative.

The passionate potter offers pottery classes from her pottery studio to both kids and adults.

“I love working with the children, as they are so free with their creativity and are not scared of making mistakes, which is wonderful.”

One of the things she loves most about pottery is that it is so therapeutic.

“I have seen tremendous improvements in children with learning disabilities through pottery.”

Her family however take first priority.

“I am a granny, that is the main thing about me,” she said proudly.

Her granddaughter will be turning one year on Valentines day and granny cannot wait for the big day.

All in all, Terry Rens takes pride in living in such a beautiful environment and sees it as her duty and a privilege to maintain and sustain Umdloti and to make sure that it is conserved and appreciated for what it offers.