Vote for Pennington, KZN in Dorp van die Jaar competition

The Pennington community is exceptionally proud of itself for making it as a finalist in the 2025 kykNET Kwêla Dorp van die Jaar (Town of the Year) competition.

Three KZN towns were nominated – Scottburgh, Paulpietersburg and Pennington. And on Sunday evening, the quaint little town was announced as the KZN finalist.

The Dorp van die Jaar competition celebrates the best towns in the nine regions across South Africa and Namibia, in towns home to under 500 000 inhabitants.

Aside from the bragging rights, the winning town will receive a whopping R1-million from Lottoland to invest back into the town. The town will also get another R1-million in publicity across DStv, as well as the Makietie town party worth R250 000 to celebrate this incredible achievement.

Tidy Towns Pennington NPO was responsible for entering the town into this competition. And thanks to the public voting, they secured a place in the finals.

“Spearheading this exciting project on behalf of Pennington has not only been exciting, but an honour,” said Viv Sandwith, chairperson of Tidy Towns Pennington.

“It was easy to celebrate Pennington, as we have so much going on! It’s no wonder holidaymakers keep flocking back to our little dorp to feel the love. Visitors always leave with an emotional attachment to this little town.”

Pennington boasts a stunning Blue Flag status beach, unique restaurants, forest trails, immaculate golf courses, friendly residents and so much more.

Tidy Towns Pennington has invested a lot in the town and worked hard to improve the public spaces, car park, clean up and beautify the entrances and put up great signage around the area.

“We have plans in the pipeline to make Pennington the jewel of the South Coast,” added Viv.

“We’re appealing to residents, everyone on the South Coast, throughout the province and country, to stand behind us and vote for Pennington. Let’s put the KZN South Coast on the map – after all, it’s the most beautiful part of the country to call home.”

Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise, is thrilled that the South Coast is getting all of this recognition.

He also described the area as one of the most inviting regions with beautiful towns, welcoming communities and natural beauty.

“We’re encouraging everyone to vote for Pennington so that we can rightly take up our position as top town in the country,” said Sibiya.

And although competitor Scottburgh did not get its’ finalist title, the residents are happy to support their neighbouring town.

It is now up to you, the public, to help Pennington achieve the Dorp van die Jaar status and let KZN shine.

On July 13, Kyknet (DStv channel 144) will showcase the nine finalists. Voting will then open at 20:00 on this day and closes on July 18 at 12pm.

To vote, simply SMS ‘Pennington’ to 33157. It costs R1.50 per SMS so ensure that you have airtime as free SMSs do not apply.

Supporters can vote up to 30 times per cellphone number and qualify for a lucky draw.

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