Ballito Village built around community spirit

Ballito Village has come a long way since the town was first granted township status in 1954, growing from strength to strength ever since.

Today, 67 years after Ballito Village saw its first shop open, dozens more cater for the needs of locals and visitors alike, while still offering the same small-town charm people have come to love.

The Village has become a favoured meeting spot, with friends, runners, business people and fishermen all passing through with a fresh cup of coffee in hand.

And speaking of coffee, Concha Café manager Senzo Majola says the Village truly does have about it a sense of community spirit, not just among its tenants.

“All you have to do to experience it is to pay the Village a visit yourself,” he said, noting there was always some kind of event happening – often to benefit the community.

Tenants at Ballito Village often go out of their way supporting local initiatives such as Sables Creatures and the Rise Up Movement.

Sables is a pro-life animal rescue organisation and Rise Up Movement is an NPO which offers youth-targeted activities, focusing on issues such as addressing gender-based violence and eradicating bullying.

“Everyone here works to bring the community together,” said Senzo.

Sharing this sentiment, Mozambik Ballito manager, Nicole Boshoff, said they had recently made the move to the Village and have not looked back.

“The Village is viewed as the local social gathering point, not just a shopping destination,” she said.

It is also home to the SPCA Dog Box which recently moved to the Balvista Centre.

The Dog Box is one of Ballito’s most beloved chairty stores and has been able to double in size and items since the move.

It remains an important fundraiser for the SPCA, while also providing good quality second-hand items at a reasonable cost.

In 2015 the Ballito Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) was formally approved and they have ensured that the Village has continued to grow from strength to strength.

The UIP, a public/private partnership, exists to improve public spaces and service delivery around Ballito, including the Village.

“The transformation of the Village into a modern hive of activity is testament to how investor confidence has grown there,” Ballito UIP precinct manager Thierry Leclezio said.

The Village is home to a number of businesses which range from restaurants and eateries, to estate agencies and attorneys – and even boasts lively nightlife entertainment.

For breaking news follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Join our Telegram Broadcast Service at: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0

Join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service: Simply add 082 792 9405 (North Coast Courier) as a contact to your phone, and WhatsApp your name and surname to the same number to be added.