Pennington Makes it to the Finals in 2025 kykNET Kwêla Dorp van die Jaar competition

It's been an exciting lead-up to the 2025 kykNET Kwêla Dorp van die Jaar [Town of the Year] competition, and a KwaZulu-Natal-based town has a chance of winning. On Sunday, 6 July, the beautiful coastal town of Pennington on the KZN South Coast was announced as the KZN finalist in the competition - and it’s now down to the voting public to push Pennington into first position.

The competition celebrates the best towns in the 9 regions across South Africa and Namibia, in towns home to under 500,000 inhabitants. Three KZN towns were nominated - Scottburgh, Paulpietersburg, and Pennington. Tidy Towns Pennington NPO was responsible for entering the town, with SMS voting by the public ensuring Pennington had a place in the finals.

The Dorp van die Jaar will not only earn this illustrious title, but also a whopping R1 million from Lottoland, which will be administered by Tidy Towns Pennington NPO to further enhance the region. In addition, the winning town gets another R1 million in publicity across DSTv, as well as the Makietie town party worth R250 000 to celebrate.

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

Some of these key attractions include:

• Pennington Main Beach, which has Blue Flag status
• Beach Café
• The Doghouse
• Selborne Golf Club
• Umdoni Park Golf Club, including forest trails
• PenValley Golf Club and DuckPond Restaurant
• Uncle Bob's Pub
• Pennington Ski Boat Club
• Happy Wanderers Resort
• Great BnBs and Lodges

“We’re appealing to residents, everyone on the KZN 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!” concluded Sandwith.

How You Can Vote for Pennington

Watch Kyknet [DSTv channel 144] on Sunday, 13 July, where the 9 finalists will be showcased. From 13 to 18 July, you can get voting!

• Voting opens 8pm on Sunday 13 July.
• SMS ‘Pennington’ to 33157.
• Cost is R1.50 per SMS.
• You can vote up to 30 times per cellphone number and qualify for a lucky draw.
• Voting closes 12pm on 18 July.

“We’re thrilled that the KZN South Coast is getting the recognition it deserves as one of the most inviting regions, with beautiful towns, welcoming communities, and immense natural beauty,” commented Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “We’re encouraging everyone to vote for Pennington in the kykNET Kwêla Dorp van die Jaar competition so that we can rightly take up our position as top town in the country!”

Unlock More on the KZN South Coast!

The KZN South Coast is a premier beach destination offering a diverse array of tourism experiences. With the most Blue Flag beaches and tidal pools in the province, it’s perfect for seaside relaxation, while world-class dive sites at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks provide thrilling marine adventures alongside deep-sea fishing. The region is a golfer’s paradise, featuring 11 top-quality courses and welcoming clubhouses.

Unlock adventure on the KZN South Coast with hiking, mountain biking, 4x4 trails, and extreme sports like ziplining and gorge swinging in the scenic hinterland. Nature lovers can explore vast reserves and the Wellness Way Route, while cultural and heritage attractions include township tours, the Mission Tourism Route, and many hiking excursions.

Agri-tourism flourishes with farm visits and rural outings, and motorsport enthusiasts can head to Dezzi Raceway for high-octane action. The area also supports business tourism and event hosting with great MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) facilities in a breathtaking coastal setting.

Get in Touch!

Unlock adventure on the KZN South Coast! Unlock more by visiting the KZN South Coast website www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za; following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here.

Follow the hashtags #unlockmore #unlockadventure