Words: Anne Schauffer | Images: Stephen Pilbrough
Mount Edgecombe Country Club Estate was KwaZulu-Natal’s first new-age gated estate, one where, behind secure closed gates, residents lived a wonderfully charmed life. Distinctive, colonial green roofs, crisp white buildings, a conservancy nurtured by environmentally protected areas, alien vegetation control, and exquisite golf greens… all added up to the good life, where nature rules with the most picturesque dams, towering trees, bird- and wildlife.
The estate was part of the Tongaat Hulett master plan when it shifted some of its land holdings from sugar to development. Today, not only is Mount Edgecombe still one of the province’s leading gated golf estates, but it’s also surrounded by 14 office park developments. Commercial properties like Broadlands Activity Park, Mount Edgecombe Activity Park and Old Mill Industrial Park, continue to provide space for those who’ve chosen to leave Durban’s CBD or entrepreneurs who’ve set up home here.
A key factor for the region’s growth is the massive new interchanges and infrastructure which simplifies access to Cornubia, Umhlanga and the north-south artery, but will provide a route from Mount Edgecombe to Pinetown. Mount Edgecombe is a mere 3km from Umhlanga, 15km from Durban and 35km from King Shaka International Airport, with world-class access to all corners of the province.
Property
Mount Edgecombe has a significant advantage in terms of proximity to King Shaka International Airport, retail, commercial, industrial, Umhlanga Village and its supreme beaches. It ticks all the boxes.
Life at Mount Edgecombe revolves around Mount Edgecombe Country Club, which comprises Estate 1, Estate 2, and the country club. Security is tight, with 24-hour access control from various points of entry, electrified perimeter fencing, and on-foot patrols. Drive through the gates, and it’s a carefree lifestyle on offer.
Director of Thule SA and Mount Edgecombe resident Richard Downey adds, “I really enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and the security of living within the estate. Our family have an active lifestyle and we spend time together making use of the mountain-bike track and paddling on Pani Dam. It’s also such a close-knit community, we greet all our neighbours on our morning runs. I also love that our factory is close to home and our new Thule store in Cornubia down the road makes a great cup of coffee!”
There are other, more affordable, residential developments outside the estate, like popular Kindlewood, and – recently broken ground – the Mount Edgecombe Retirement Estate, designed largely for Mount Edgecombe Country Club residents who love life there, but by moving into the retirement village, can access a higher level of care. For young people, those residential estates fringing the estate are often a stepping stone for later, when they can afford a home at Mount Edgecombe.
Resident Caylee Toll says, “We moved from the Berea out here two years ago, and we haven’t regretted it. We love the village lifestyle, but we also like the proximity to La Lucia and Umhlanga Ridge where we both work – we have more time to spend with the children.”
Schooling
With the population explosion of this northern section of KwaZulu-Natal, there’s an unceasing demand for quality schooling. There are a number of excellent, older schools in the Durban North, Umhlanga and La Lucia areas like Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School and the newer schools of Reddam House Umhlanga and Crawford College La Lucia.
The reputable schools of Northlands Girls’ High School and Northwood School are still immensely popular, and for younger students, there are numerous primary and pre-primary schools such as Atholton, Umhlanga, La Lucia and Victory Christian Academy.
Explore
Living in the Mount Edgecombe Country Club, there’s ample wandering to be done close to home. Carl Ridgeway says, “As an avid golfer, living within sight of a golf course has to be the finest way to live. And that’s not even taking the myriad other advantages of estate living into account. I love that my family is secure, and I never have to worry about that.”
With two world-renowned signature golf courses, and a host of other sporting and leisure amenities (and lessons), such as tennis, squash, fishing, mountain biking, bowls and paddling, life here is full and varied.
But living here doesn’t limit residents to the estate – Gateway Theatre of Shopping and Cornubia are almost on their doorstep, so retail therapy is plush and plentiful. Five minutes away, are the excellent beaches and restaurants of Umhlanga Village, with its long promenade for those and their dogs. If you want to take it further, ramble through Hawaan Forest or along the boardwalk, or choose one of the numerous mountain-biking clubs and routes through the sugar cane or Holla Trails in Ballito.
Lou Harvey, a popular local handbag designer, has lived in Mount Edgecombe for a number of years and she loves the lifestyle the area offers her. “There are great places for eating out and my favourite spot is definitely Remo’s Originale in Mount Edgecombe for the best coffee. It’s also close to the Umhlanga blue-flag beach where my son loves to swim in the sea and build sandcastles.”
Beachfront hotels such as the Oyster Box and the Beverly Hills offers everything from accommodation to restaurants to spas, and exclusive shopping is on a plate at the Pearls Mall.
“We love Mount Edgecombe because it’s well-positioned, secure, and we have the perfect lock-up-and-go situation. We travel extensively, and really appreciate the facility whereby they check up on our house every day we’re away.”
Lynne and John Osterberg, residents
Eat:
- The Watershed Cafe: magnificent views over Pani dam and the golf course at Mount Edgecombe Country Club
- Boar’s Head: informal lunches and dinners at Mount Edgecombe Country Club
- Remo’s Originale: Italian-inspired eatery
- SW1: South East Asia with a twist
- The Chef’s Table, Umhlanga: sophisticated dining experience
Hospitals:
- Life Mount Edgecombe Hospital
- Netcare Umhlanga Hospital
- Gateway Theatre of Shopping
Sleep:
- Mount Edgecombe Estate Lodge
- Afri-Lala bed and breakfast
- Kingfisher Lodge
- The Oyster Box
- Beverley Hills
- Teremok Marine
