The Wild Coast Sun resort and casino near Port Edward celebrated its 45th birthday with a party on Saturday, 3 October 2026.
The Sun International property called the event its “Legendary Birthday”, Pondoland Times reported. An after-party at Yolo Lounge was planned from 11pm, headlined by DJ and producer Oskido.
Ndokzin, Dacoda, Mzoh and Deejay RS were also on the line-up for the after-party.
Marketing manager Cynthia Dumakude told the paper that the milestone was about people, not only years. She spoke of loyal guests, staff, suppliers, local business owners and nearby communities.
Dumakude said the resort gives jobs to residents who might otherwise leave home to find work. She said working close to home lets people stay with their families and avoid moving costs.
She also said the resort supports local suppliers and small businesses through community and enterprise projects.
The resort’s history includes the removal of local people from the land where it was built. Dumakude acknowledged this painful part of the past, the paper reported.
The resort sits close to the border between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. It has the Wild Waves Water Park, an 18-hole golf course, ten-pin bowling, an arcade, river cruises and a spa.
Darion Langenhoven, a Top 16 finalist in the Mr South Africa 2026 competition, attended the celebration. He said he grew up on the property.
“Wild Coast Sun is actually my home. I actually grew up right here on the premises,” he told Pondoland Times.
Langenhoven said he lived in the area from the age of 10. His mother worked at the resort during his childhood and still works there, he said.
“This was our playground,” he said. He added that he learnt about the amaMpondo people and made close friends while growing up there.
Langenhoven is now a businessman who supplies the resort. He also has a partnership with the property for his Mr South Africa campaign.
He said youth unemployment is one of the biggest problems facing young South Africans. Many study hard but cannot find work after they qualify, he said.
Langenhoven said he started a project with school principals that rewards learners for good marks and good character. Rewards can include helicopter rides and the chance to meet business leaders.
He said he did not have chances like these when he was at school.
Dumakude also urged casino visitors to gamble responsibly. She said guests should decide how much they can afford before they walk in, and stick to it.
She used the example of a R2,000 entertainment budget. Visitors should stay within that limit, as they would for a concert or a restaurant meal, she said.
She said gambling should be treated as leisure, not as a way to earn money. She pointed to the responsible gambling message “Winners Know When to Stop”.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Pondoland Times. Image: Pondoland Times. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.