Near the village of Xolobeni, between the mouths of the Mtentu and Mzamba rivers, rise an unusual series of red dunes from the surrounding grassy hills of the Transkei coast. These dunes were formed about a million years ago, when inland erosion of the Natal and Karoo Super Group took place, and the deposits were transported by river down to the ocean. When the sea retreated the dunes were left exposed, and iron-rich minerals were exposed to oxygen, producing the red colour (iron-oxide).

Rich in titanium, the dunes have caused conflict between local residents of the Amadiba district, and the Transworld Energy and Minerals mining company, that in 2002 proposed a 20-year mining operation of the area, but after much resistance from residents, TEM later withdrew from the area.

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