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The Prawn Hatchery

25 reviews
Self Catering

Review Summary

3.9 out of 5from 25 reviews for The Prawn Hatchery
Cleanliness
3.7/5
Service
3.8/5
Location
3.9/5
Safety
4.0/5
Value for money
4.0/5
Aletia O - Dec 2023
Overall rating
Cleanliness
5/5
Service
5/5
Location
5/5
Safety
5/5
Value for money
5/5
Aletia O
Family with teenagers

The most amazing hidden gem!

Wat 'n lekker belewenis! Ons tyd daar was net veels te kort. Sal beslis volgende keer 'n hele week daar wil bly.

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The most amazing hidden gem!

What a nice experience! Our time there was just far too short. Will definitely want to stay there for a whole week next time.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Ons is baie gelukkig om te hoor dat julle 'n goeie belewenis gehad het en sien daarna uit om julle gou weer terug te hê vir 'n langer bly.

The Prawn Hatchery
Ronel H - Mar 2021
Overall rating
Cleanliness
5/5
Service
5/5
Location
5/5
Safety
5/5
Value for money
5/5
Ronel H
With friends

Dit was die perfekte omgewing en venue vir ons kunswegbreek.

Stil, rustig, mooi, nat van die reën maar steeds beskut. Penny's Cottage was eenkant en nie deel van die ander gaste nie, wat vir ons lekker was.

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It was the perfect setting and venue for our art break.

Quiet, peaceful, beautiful, wet from the rain but still sheltered. Penny's Cottage was off to the side and not part of the other guests, which was nice for us.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Hi Ronel

Ons is baie bly dat jul die kuns-wegbreek naweek geniet het en sien daarna uit om jul gou weer te sien.

Groete, Annemarie.

The Prawn Hatchery
Christa P - Jun 2021
Overall rating
Cleanliness
4/5
Service
4/5
Location
5/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
5/5
Christa P
With friends

Special place in a stunning location.

We were pleasantly surprised with this one of a kind rustic setting on the beautiful river. Would love to go back especially in summer.

The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Thank you for your review Christa and very happy that you loved the Hatchery!
Looking forward having you back during the summer vibes
Warm regards
Annemarie

The Prawn Hatchery
Wayne H - Aug 2020
Overall rating
Cleanliness
4/5
Service
3/5
Location
5/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
4/5
Wayne H
Family with teenagers

It was good, except for the shower with no hot water.

The place is rustic but very clean, we had a great time, the only problem was no one came to clean and the water in the shower was cold no hot water at all, the sink had hot water from the gas geyser and the other bathroom had intermittent hot water but none in the second bathroom and I only ran the hot tap for about 10 minutes and still had no hot water. Only complaint.

The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Dear Niclolene

Thank you for taking the time to review The Hatchery and providing valuable feedback which will allow us to improve our offering in the future.

Kind Regards,

Matthew

The Prawn Hatchery
Stephanus D - Dec 2020
Overall rating
Cleanliness
3/5
Service
4/5
Location
4/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
4/5
Stephanus D
Family with teenagers

Baie unieke plek. As dit 'n wegbreek is wat jy soek, is dit die plek vir jou. Rivier/meer is pragtig.

Die slaapeenhede is goed toegerus en mooi skoon. Lugreëling was 'n lewensredder in die hitte. Slaapeenhede gebruik refleksieglas en party het nie gordyne nie wat veroorsaak dat ander gaste in die aand dwarsdeur jou plek kan sien. The Kelp se badkamer is sigbaar deur die vensters en as iemand in die aand stort, kan jy alles sien (moes handdoeke voor vensters hang). Covid-invloed kan gesien word en buitegeriewe soos kombuis en braaiers nie op standaard nie. Dit is nie sleg nie, maar kan skoner wees. The Hatchery is 'n buite leefstyl. Daarvoor is die buitegeriewe belangrik en kan verbeter word, veral mooi skoongemaak word. Daar is ook nie beheer oor geraas en parties nie. Daar is baie spasie buite die wooneenhede se direkte omgewing en die soort van vrolikheid kan gemaklik geskuif word waar dit nie 'n impak op ander gaste het nie. Nogmaals vreeslik geniet.

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Very unique place. If it's a getaway you're looking for, this is the place for you. River/lake is beautiful.

The sleeping units are well equipped and clean. Air conditioning was a life saver in the heat. Sleeping units use reflective glass and some do not have curtains which cause other guests to be able to see through your place in the evening. The Kelp's bathroom is visible through the windows and if someone takes a shower in the evening, you can see everything (had to hang towels in front of the windows). Covid influence can be seen and outdoor facilities such as kitchen and braai are not up to standard. It's not bad, but could be cleaner. The Hatchery is an outdoor lifestyle. For that, the outdoor facilities are important and can be improved, especially nicely cleaned. There is also no control over noise and parties. There is plenty of space outside the accommodation units' immediate surroundings and the kind of merriment can be comfortably moved where it does not impact on other guests. Enjoyed once again.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Baie dankie vir die tyd om vir ons terugvoering te gee. Hoop om jul gou weer terug te he in die nabye toekoms.
Groete Annemarie

The Prawn Hatchery
Annamagriet D - Oct 2020
Overall rating
Cleanliness
2/5
Service
2/5
Location
3/5
Safety
1/5
Value for money
1/5
Annamagriet D
Family with teenagers

Met ons aankoms was dit duidelik dat dit wat op die webtuiste aangebied is baie ver verskil van die werklikheid. Die terrein en geboue was verwaarloos, daar is geen tekens van enige sekuriteit nie, die gemeenskaplike kombuis was vuil.

Die tonic pools at op die foto's verskyn bestaan nie eens nie - dit is leeg en gekraak en vol onkruid. Ons was baie teleurgesteld en het nie gevoel dit is veilig om daar tuis te gaan nie. Boonop was daar geen aanduiding dat die pad nie vir 'n gewone klein karretjie geskik is nie. Hoewel die dame wat ons ontvang het baie vriendelik was, en die beddens en kamers mooi skoon was en netjies voorberei, het die hele terrein en ander aspekte van dit wat ons op die internet gesien het en verwag het veel te wense gelaat. Dit lyk of die foto's op die internet meer as 10 jaar gelede geneem is en die plek nie intussen mooi in stand gehou is nie.

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Upon our arrival, it was clear that what was presented on the website was very different from the reality. The grounds and buildings were neglected, there are no signs of any security, the communal kitchen was dirty.

The tonic pools that appear in the photos don't even exist - they are empty and cracked and full of weeds. We were very disappointed and did not feel it was safe to go home there. Moreover, there was no indication that the road was not suitable for an ordinary small car. Although the lady who received us was very friendly, and the beds and rooms were nicely clean and neatly prepared, the whole site and other aspects of what we saw and expected on the internet left a lot to be desired. It looks like the pictures on the internet were taken more than 10 years ago and the place has not been well maintained since then.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Dankie vir die tyd om vir ons terugvoering te gee.
Die geboue is gehou soos wat dit in die prawn dae was en dit dra by tot die rustic gevoel.
Ons is jammer dat die Hatchery nie vir jul was nie.


Groete Annemarie

The Prawn Hatchery
Christa M - Dec 2019
Overall rating
Cleanliness
5/5
Service
5/5
Location
5/5
Safety
5/5
Value for money
5/5
Christa M
Family with teenagers

Asemrowend!

By verre die hoogtepunt van ons vakansie. Net jammer ons kon nie langer bly nie. As jy wil rus en asem skep is hierdie die regte plek. 'n Ongelooflike ervaring. Selfs my tieners was gelukkig hier en ons hond is soos royalty behandel. Ons sal definitief teruggaan na die Hatchery toe en beslis baie langer kuier. Die personeel is vriendelik en hulpvaardig, die blyplek is altyd skoon en netjies en die gemeenskaplike kombuis het alles wat jy nodig het. Bring net jouself, jou kos en rus lekker.

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Breathtaking!

By far the highlight of our holiday. Just sorry we couldn't stay longer. If you want to rest and breathe this is the right place. An incredible experience. Even my teenagers were happy here and our dog was treated like royalty. We will definitely go back to the Hatchery and definitely visit for much longer. The staff is friendly and helpful, the accommodation is always clean and tidy and the communal kitchen has everything you need. Just bring yourself, your food and rest.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Baie dankie vir die terugvoering, Christa.
Ons is in die sewende hemel om te hoor dat jul en die tieners dit geniet het. Die hondjies geniet dit altyd by die Hatchery en hul is baie welkom.
Sien jul volgende keer.
Groete, Annemarie.

The Prawn Hatchery
Sonette L - Nov 2019
Overall rating
Cleanliness
5/5
Service
5/5
Location
5/5
Safety
5/5
Value for money
5/5
Sonette L
With partner

Awesome plekkie.

Indien jy 'n plekkie soek, weg van die stad, verkeer en die gejaag is The Hatchery net die plek vir jou. Dit is waar jy die kids kan weg kry van tegnologie en leer om die natuur te geniet en hoe om speletjies uit te dink soos in die dae van ouds. Dan, Bawinile. Thank you for the warm welcome, the flowers, the willingness to help. You are one asset to The Hatchery. Ek kom beslis terug.

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Awesome place.

If you are looking for a place away from the city, traffic and the rush, The Hatchery is just the place for you. This is where you can get the kids away from technology and teach them to enjoy nature and how to invent games like in the days of old. Then, Bawinile. Thank you for the warm welcome, the flowers, the willingness to help. You are an asset to The Hatchery. I'm definitely coming back.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Goeie more Sonette,

Baie dankie vir die wonderlike terugvoering!! Sien daarna uit om jul weer by die Hatchery te he!

Groete,

Annemarie

The Prawn Hatchery
Karen K - Oct 2019
Overall rating
Cleanliness
5/5
Service
5/5
Location
5/5
Safety
5/5
Value for money
5/5
Karen K
With friends

Clean, very helpful staff.

Although a bit of a rough ride to get there, clean room with air-con, very helpful very well mannered staff.

Melanie D - Jan 2019
Overall rating
Cleanliness
5/5
Service
5/5
Location
5/5
Safety
5/5
Value for money
5/5
Melanie D
Family with teenagers

Dit was heerlik vreedsaam, rustig, verkwikking vir die siel.

Ons het heerlik gekuier in die Forest room. Baie gemaklike beddens. Daar is wel min hakkies om goed op te hang, en min rakkies. Verder geen klagtes. Die lugversorger was 'n heerlike lafenis. Ons sal enige tyd weer daar bly en beveel dit regtig aan vir mense wat hou van eenvoudige, rustige blyplek sonder tierlantyntjies, waar mens net kan wéés. Matthew en sy personeel is besonder behulpsaam en vriendelik. Die naaste winkel is so 10 km weg, en die lekkerste swemstrand so 40 km weg.

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It was wonderfully peaceful, tranquil, refreshing for the soul.

We had a great time in the Forest room. Very comfortable beds. There are few hooks to hang things on, and few shelves. Other than that, no complaints. The air conditioner was a wonderful experience. We would stay there again anytime and really recommend it to people who like a simple, peaceful place to stay without frills, where you can just be. Matthew and his staff are exceptionally helpful and friendly. The nearest shop is about 10 km away, and the nicest swimming beach about 40 km away.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Baie dankie vir die terugvoer en ons is ekstase dat jul die verblyf geniet het.
Hoop om jou gou weer te ontvang.

The Prawn Hatchery
Danell D - Sep 2019
Overall rating
Cleanliness
5/5
Service
5/5
Location
3/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
5/5
Danell D
With friends

Love dit.

Het dit baie geniet, sal definitief weer gaan.

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Love it.

Enjoyed it very much, will definitely visit again.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Dankie Danell vir die tyd om die resensie vir ons te doen.
Ons is baie bly dat julle dit geniet het en sien daarna uit om jul gou weer terug te hê by die Hatchery.

Groete

Annemarie

The Prawn Hatchery
Eddie A - Jan 2019
Overall rating
Cleanliness
3/5
Service
2/5
Location
2/5
Safety
3/5
Value for money
2/5
Eddie A
With partner

Glad nie wat ons verwag het nie.

Die plek is nie soos dit op die foto's lyk nie. Die gemeenskaplike stort is nie op standaard nie. Die plek is nie vir almal nie.

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Not at all what we expected.

The place is not as it looks in the pictures. The communal shower is not up to standard. The place is not for everyone.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Hi Eddie

I am sorry you did not enjoy your stay. Should you be able please let us know specifics so that we can endeavour to improve. Wishing you all the best.

Kind Regards,

Matthew

The Prawn Hatchery
Sharon O - Jun 2018
Overall rating
Cleanliness
5/5
Service
5/5
Location
5/5
Safety
5/5
Value for money
5/5
Sharon O

The Hatchery is situated in a very beautiful setting and the Hatchery itself is rugged and amazing.

The Hatchery is close to the beach and is situated in a beautiful setting. We arrived in the dark to be met by a friendly welcome and a tour of our sleeping accommodation. The accommodation is rugged and very comfortable. The kitchen is well equipped and met our needs for self-catering. The only problem we encountered was the shower in the room with double bed and two single beds. It was not draining well and this was reported.

The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Dear Sharon,

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. I hope the problem with the shower was resolved timeously and to your satisfaction. We are hoping that you will be able to enjoy a stay at The Hatchery again sometime in the future!

Kind Regards,
Matthew

The Prawn Hatchery
Sarie S - Jul 2018
Overall rating
Cleanliness
4/5
Service
5/5
Location
5/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
5/5
Sarie S
With partner

Stunning. Awesome. Different.

A different quiet location. Staff is friendly and helpful. Fishing was a challenge because of the clocked mouth. Our second time there and will be back many times.

The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Thanks for taking the time to write a review of your stay Etienne. We are very pleased you enjoyed yourselves. Please feel free to check in on the status of the mouth and up to date catches from Chris at any time. We look forward to having you back at the Hatch.

Kind Regards,

Matthew

The Prawn Hatchery
Suzaan M - Aug 2018
Overall rating
Cleanliness
4/5
Service
5/5
Location
3/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
4/5
Suzaan M
Family with teenagers

Lekker en informeel.

Mooi natuurskoon. Anderse ervaring en mooi natuurskoon. Groter kar 'n voordeel vir grondpad.

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Nice and informal.

Beautiful scenery. Different experience and beautiful scenery. Bigger car an advantage for dirt road.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Goeie dag Suzaan,

Baie dankie vir die tyd wat jy gevat het om die review deur te stuur, ons waardeer dit.
Ons is baie bly dat die tyd by die Hatchery aangenaam was. Die natuur is absoluut asemrowend hier en laat mens vergeet van die woelige en lawaaierige stede.

Baie groete

Annemarie

The Prawn Hatchery
Nadia P - May 2018
Overall rating
Cleanliness
4/5
Service
3/5
Location
4/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
3/5
Nadia P
With partner

Dit is 'n pragtige en unieke plek. Ons het die rustigheid baie geniet.

The Hatchery het ongelooflike potensiaal. Daar is net 'n paar goedjies wat aandag nodig het. Waterdruk in storte bestaan nie. Die kombuis toerusting is maar bietjie foos. Ek sal voorstel dat daar 'n multi-plug in elke kamer moet wees, aangesien daar net 2 kragproppe is en die yskas in die 1 geprop is. Die prys vir die 2 slaapplekkies is vir my bietjie duur in vergelyking met die prys vir die 4 en 6 slaaphuisies. Ek stel ook voor dat hul die kliënte moet inlig dat hul nie 'n kaartmasjien het nie en dat die uitstaande bedrag op verblyf kontant betaal moet word. Maar buiten vir die 5 punte, was ons mal oor die plek! Ons sal beslis weer teruggaan!

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It is a beautiful and unique place. We enjoyed the tranquillity.

The Hatchery has incredible potential. There are just a few things that need attention. Water pressure in showers does not exist. The kitchen equipment is a bit old. I would suggest that there should be a multi-plug in each room, as there are only 2 power plugs and the refrigerator is plugged in the 1. The price for the 2 sleeper is a little expensive for me compared to the price for the 4 and 6 bedroom cottages. I also suggest that they inform the clients in advance that they do not have a card machine and that the outstanding amount must be paid in cash. But besides these 5 points, we were crazy about the place! We will definitely go back!

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Carien L - Jan 2018
Overall rating
Cleanliness
2/5
Service
3/5
Location
3/5
Safety
2/5
Value for money
4/5
Carien L
With friends

Lekker gekuier.

Pragtige plek, maar die bestuur is ontoereikend en die ligging is nie ideal nie.

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Have a nice time.

Beautiful place, but the management is inadequate and the location is not ideal.

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The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Dear Carien,

Thank you for your feedback.Yes, our signal is intermitted and I will in future sent messages to guests that they can reach us via WhatsApp.

Hope to have you stay again in the near future.

Warm Regards,
Annemarie

The Prawn Hatchery
Mandy J - Jan 2018
Overall rating
Cleanliness
2/5
Service
1/5
Location
2/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
3/5
Mandy J
Family with teenagers

Basic, comfortable, uncluttered, tech-free zone.

Great fishing spot with lagoon and beach access (non-swimming.) Difficult access when torrential rains made roads into mudslides which needed 4x4 to pull our station wagon out - Luckily it only happened once in 10 days, and so it even actually added to the adventure. Good spot to recenter, recharge, sip Tequila, catch a suntan and unwind, even with moody teenagers, getting over their inner city withdrawal! Teens learnt that backgammon is just as much fun as Android devices, even with no batteries are required. "Less Urban Than Durban ... Great Family Fun!"

Nadia L - Dec 2017
Overall rating
Cleanliness
4/5
Service
4/5
Location
5/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
5/5
Nadia L
Family with young children

Awesome place.

We enjoyed our stay there and plan to go again. It is a peaceful place and my children enjoyed themselves.

The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Dear Nadia,

We are very happy that you enjoyed your stay and yes, the children normally have tons of fun! Looking forward having you back again in the near future.

Warm Regards,
Annemarie

The Prawn Hatchery
Harm M - Aug 2017
Overall rating
Cleanliness
3/5
Service
4/5
Location
5/5
Safety
5/5
Value for money
4/5
Harm M
Family with teenagers

Very awesome spot, friendly people, relaxing place.

Nice spot, friendly people.

The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Hi Harm,

Thank you for the review.
We are very happy that you enjoyed your stay, and we are looking forward having you back soon.

Warm regards,

Annemarie

The Prawn Hatchery
Anonymous Guest - Dec 2017
Overall rating
Cleanliness
3/5
Service
4/5
Location
4/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
4/5
Anonymous Guest
Family with young children
Johan B - Oct 2017
Overall rating
Cleanliness
3/5
Service
3/5
Location
3/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
4/5
Johan B
Family with young children

Basic

Cleaning services should have been nice. And decent wood for the braai.

Jose A - Dec 2017
Overall rating
Cleanliness
1/5
Service
1/5
Location
1/5
Safety
4/5
Value for money
2/5
Jose A
On business

Bad deal.

An experience never to be repeated! To find the place take a long written instructions or copy the coordinates off the site. By name it's impossible. Telephone contact is non-existent. On arrival had to hunt around for the reception, until a half dilapidated sign pointed me to what can only be described as an unkempt store room. A sprawled individual eventually called someone to help me. The booked room itself was okay, but nothing special. The bed base made of pallets could have been made to size. As it was, I kept grazing my legs getting in and out of bed. I had to wait outside for the room to be prepared (it was around 18h00) and the dust and debris cleared. To compensate for the lack of an en-suite bathroom, I was pointed to an outside toilet/shower combination. That was some experience, a first for me. The so-called bathroom had clear glass windows, floor to ceiling, facing the communal dining area, in both, the toilet and the shower! What a sight for the guest and the diners. There was a communal kitchen, self-service, and an open outside dining area, but no restaurant of any kind, either in the premises or nearby. The only one known, the prawn shack, only serves pre-booked meals. The closest take-away (not even sit down) is nearly 25 km away. The room was not serviced. The advertised telephone number was not answered. E-mails were not answered. It was a disappointment. Granted, it was a last minute need for accommodation. But now we know why it was available.

Rika V - Dec 2017
Overall rating
Cleanliness
1/5
Service
1/5
Location
1/5
Safety
1/5
Value for money
1/5
Rika V
Family with young children

Extremely disappointing!

I’m utterly disappointed with the amount of money I paid for our stay and what we experienced in return. It was nowhere mentioned on the website that one would had to live out of your suitcase and had to shower under a no pressure shower head in the hope to get clean. It was also nowhere mentioned that one would actually require a 4x4 vehicle to get there. We seldom could find any clean cutlery or any glasses as there were not enough for all the quests. The kitchen was extremely unhygienic. Fellow guests partied into the early hours of the following mornings, with language not appropriate for small children. About the safety, there is no fencing and not much privacy from passers by. We departed three days earlier!

The Prawn Hatchery 's response

Dear Rika,

We are sorry you did not enjoy your stay with us. The hatchery is not for everyone and we try to make it absolutely clear in all of our content what to expect from a stay which is a rustic but comfortable experience.

Regards,
Matthew

The Prawn Hatchery
Maureen L - Apr 2016
Overall rating
Cleanliness
5/5
Service
5/5
Location
5/5
Safety
5/5
Value for money
4/5
Maureen L
With partner

A definite hidden gem.

Awesome spot to unwind whether with friends or partner. Rustic, peaceful, feels like you are in Mozambique! Will be back ... and bringing all my friends too!

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  • Capacity: 55 people
  • All ages welcome
  • Check-in: 14:00 to 22:00
    Check-out: 10:00
  • Address: Amatikulu Lagoon, Reserve 8, Ongoye, 3800, KwaZulu-Natal
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