The Kidd’s Beach Festive season is full of family, friends, and joy! Please try to keep our beautiful village the way it is all year.
For all the events, kiddies’ activities, local businesses, and our sponsors who make this possible, please refer to The Holiday Programme on the Kidd’s Beach website.
The seaside village of Kidd’s Beach, just a 20-minute drive from East London, is situated on the scenic shores of the Indian Ocean. Its beach is an uninterrupted landscape of white sand and blue sea, and little else to interfere with its sheer beauty.
Named after Charles Kidd, a former mayor of King William’s Town, Kidd’s Beach is all about the beach, the community, and slowing the mind to a dawdle. The waves and tidal pool are renowned amongst surfers and children alike, and the surrounding dunes and forests boast an abundance of indigenous wildlife. It is an excellent break from it all and a place to get in touch with the surrounding nature. Life is simple here, and apart from a restaurant, a couple of takeaway shops, and a grocery store, there is little else to do but enjoy the bay for its excellent swimming, shelling and fishing. There is also the chance to explore hidden reefs and other beaches nearby, such as Christmas Rock, Cove Rock, and Leonard’s Bay.
Fishing and collecting mussels is a popular pastime with many locals and holidaymakers who can attest to their old hauls. If you wish to harvest anything from the ocean, please ensure you have a valid fishing license. These can be obtained from the nearest Post Office. The limits on what you may harvest from the ocean depend on the species. Please refer to your license or the Catch and Release website link for clarification. These legal limits are set for future generations to enjoy our pristine coastline as we do now. I’d presume it’s not much fun spending Christmas in a holding cell.
Lifeguards will be on duty to ensure bathers are safe. Please also refer to the safety signs as you enter the beach. Understanding and respecting the ocean will keep you safe. Please note that The Mcantsi Lagoon is unsafe to fish or bathe in at this stage due to a sewerage overflow. We will keep the community updated as soon as it is safe.
To quote the late great president in his Christmas address in 1994: “Christmas should be a time of joy when families come together to celebrate the festive season. New Year should be a time to look forward with hope and resolution. At times, we have had no reason to celebrate and little to look forward to in the year ahead and this year, too, brought much pain and suffering. Many lost their loved ones through the criminal violence that continues unabated. Many more lost their homes and all their possessions.”
On this note, it is unfortunate, but the reality is that safety can be an issue if not taken seriously. Please check that all your doors, windows, and belongings are locked before bed. If you enjoy long walks on the beach, try to have some company or ensure it is during the day. Should you notice any suspicious behaviour, please report this to the Police and refer to our website to contact the individuals who work closely with our local SAPS to keep our village safe.
However, we have a ‘proverb’ for these problems in South Africa called “Ke December”, which translates from Zulu to simply “It’s December.” It was shortened from the original meaning. However, for the rest of the world, December represents the 12th Month, Christmas, snow and so on, but for South Africans, once the 1st of December hits, it’s more of a lifestyle change.
Here are a few tips if your manager finds you daydreaming at work while you await your well-needed Kidd’s Beach medicine:
“Did you not watch the Rugby World Cup?”
“Yoh, but it’s December?”
“It feels like January was only yesterday.”
“Where did this year go?”
Please don’t forget that throwing in “Otherwise, you well?” or “I’m friends with Siya Kolisi” usually breaks the ice.
Lastly, but certainly not least, we look forward to all the activities and events which the Kidd’s Beach Programme has brought to the community for decades. A look back and avid Kidd’s Beach holidaymakers will fondly remember village green cricket with the late Uncle Billy van Vuuren, sand building competitions, garage discos, Santa visits, and the Mr and Ms Kidd’s Beach Pageant held for all ages every December holiday.
Luckily, due to the ongoing work of the Kidd’s Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association and their team of volunteers, much of the same can be expected this year. A big thank you must also be made as they have done much of the upkeep in the village, from the new street signs to the repairing of the roads, to name just a few.
We are excited to announce that the printable and live versions are now available on our website. Please follow this link: Kidd’s Beach Holiday Programme 2023.
Please enjoy the photos in our gallery and some of the memories we gained from the locals. May you and your families have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year. Stay safe!
(RR)
