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Durban

Durban (/ˈdɜːrbən/ DUR-bən; Zulu: eThekwini, from itheku meaning 'the port'; also called eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area) is the third-most populous city in South Africa after Johannesburg and Cape Town, and the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal. Durban forms part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, which includes neighbouring towns and has a population of about 4 million,[6] making the combined municipality one of the largest cities on the Indian Ocean coast of the African continent. Durban was also one of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Durban
eThekwini (Zulu)
Durban
Durban
Durban
Coordinates: 29°53′S 31°03′E / 29.883°S 31.050°E / -29.883; 31.050
Country South Africa
Province KwaZulu-Natal
MunicipalityeThekwini
Established1824[1]
Named forBenjamin D'Urban
Government
 • TypeMetropolitan municipality
 • MayorMxolisi Kaunda (ANC)
Area
 • City225.91 km2 (87.22 sq mi)
 • Metro
2,292 km2 (885 sq mi)
Population
 (2023)[2]
 • City4,034,678
 • Density18,000/km2 (46,000/sq mi)
 • Urban
838,634
DemonymDurbanite[3]
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African51.1%
 • Coloured8.6%
 • Indian/Asian24.0%
 • White15.3%
 • Other0.9%
First languages (2011)
 • English49.8%
 • Zulu33.1%
 • Xhosa5.9%
 • Afrikaans3.6%
 • Other7.6%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
4001
PO box
4000
Area code031
GDPUS$ 83,9 billion[4]
GDP per capitaUS$ 15575[4]
Websitewww.durban.gov.za

Durban was formerly named Port Natal due to its position as the chief seaport of South Africa, and its location on the Natal Bay of the Indian Ocean. Durban is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and along with Johannesburg is one of the largest cities in Africa.[7] Durban is an ethnically diverse city, with large Zulu, White, and Indian/Asian populations.

History edit

Archaeological evidence from the Drakensberg mountains suggests that the Durban area has been inhabited by communities of hunter-gatherers since 100,000 BC. These people lived throughout the area of KwaZulu-Natal until the expansion of agro-pastoralists and pastoralists from the north saw their gradual incorporation. Oral history has been passed down from generation to generation by the Zulu nation, who were inhabitants of the land before colonisers, but there is no written history of the area until it was sighted by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who sailed parallel to the KwaZulu-Natal coast at Christmastide in 1497 while searching for a route from Europe to India. He named the area Natal, meaning 'Christmas' in Portuguese.[8]

Abambo people edit

In 1686, a ship from the Dutch East India Company named Stavenisse was wrecked off the eastern coast of South Africa. Some of the survivors made their way to the Bay of Natal (Durban) where they were taken in by the "Abambo" tribe (Hlubi people), which was led by Chief Langalibalele. The crew became fluent in the tribe's language and witnessed their customs. The tribe told them that the land where the Abambo people lived was called Embo by the natives and that the people were very hospitable.[citation needed]

On 28 October 1689, the galiot Noord travelled from Table Bay to the Bay of Natal to fetch the surviving crew of the Stavenisse and to negotiate a deal for purchasing the bay. The Noord arrived on 9 December 1689, whereafter the Dutch Cape Colony purchased the Bay of Natal from the Abambo people for £1,650. A formal contract was drawn up by Laurens van Swaanswyk and signed by the chief of the Abambo people, with the crew of the Stavenisse acting as translators.[9]

First European colonisers edit

By 1822, James Saunders King, captain of the British ship Salisbury, together with Lt. Francis George Farewell, both men being former Royal Navy officers from the Napoleonic Wars, were engaged in trade between the Cape and Delagoa Bay. On a return trip to the Cape in 1823, they were caught in a severe storm and decided to risk the Bar and anchor in the Bay of Natal. The crossing went off well and they found safe anchor from the storm. Lt. King decided to map the Bay and named the "Salisbury and Farewell Islands". In 1824 Lt. Farewell, together with a trading company called J. R. Thompson & Co., decided to open trade relations with Shaka, the Zulu King, and establish a trading station at the Bay. Henry Francis Fynn, another trader at Delagoa Bay, was also involved in this venture.[citation needed]

Fynn left Delagoa Bay and sailed for the Bay of Natal on the brig Julia, while Farewell followed six weeks later on the Antelope. Between them they had 26 possible settlers, although only 18 stayed. On a visit to King Shaka, Henry Francis Fynn succeeded in befriending the king by helping him recover from a stab wound that he had suffered as a result of an assassination attempt by one of his half-brothers. As a token of his gratitude King Shaka granted Fynn a "25-mile strip of coast a hundred miles in depth".[citation needed]

On 7 August 1824, they concluded negotiations with King Shaka for a cession of land, including the Bay of Natal and land extending 16 km (10 mi) south of the Bay, 40 km (25 mi) north of the Bay and 160 km (100 mi) inland. Farewell took possession of this grant and raised the Union Jack with a Royal Salute, which consisted of 4 cannon shots and twenty musket shots. Only six of the original eighteen would-be settlers remained, and these six can be regarded as the founders of Port Natal as a British colony. These six were joined by Lt. James Saunders King and Nathaniel Isaacs in 1825.[citation needed]

The modern city of Durban thus dates from 1824, when the settlement was established on the northern shores of the bay near today's Farewell Square.[10] During a meeting of 35 European residents in Fynn's territory on 23 June 1835, it was decided to build a capital town and name it "D'Urban" after Sir Benjamin D'Urban, who was the governor of the Cape Colony at the time.[11]

Republic of Natalia edit

The Voortrekkers established the Republic of Natalia in 1839, with its capital at Pietermaritzburg.[citation needed]

Tension between the Voortrekkers and the Zulus prompted the governor of the Cape Colony to dispatch a force under Captain Charlton Smith to establish British rule in Natal, for fear of losing British control in Port Natal. The force arrived on 4 May 1842 and built a fortification that was later to be The Old Fort. On the night of 23/24 May 1842 the British attacked the Voortrekker camp at Congella. The attack failed, and the British had to withdraw to their camp which was put under siege. A local trader Dick King and his servant Ndongeni were able to escape the blockade and rode to Grahamstown, a distance of 600 km (370 mi) in fourteen days to raise reinforcements. The reinforcements arrived in Durban 20 days later; the Voortrekkers retreated, and the siege was lifted.[12]

Fierce conflict with the Zulu population led to the evacuation of Durban, and eventually the Afrikaners accepted British annexation in 1844 under military pressure.[citation needed]

Durban's historic regalia edit

When the Borough of Durban was proclaimed in 1854, the council had to procure a seal for official documents. The seal was produced in 1855 and was replaced in 1882. The new seal contained a coat of arms without helmet or mantling that combined the coats of arms of Sir Benjamin D’Urban and Sir Benjamin Pine. An application was made to register the coat of arms with the College of Arms in 1906, but this application was rejected on grounds that the design implied that D’Urban and Pine were husband and wife. Nevertheless, the coat of arms appeared on the council's stationery from about 1912. The following year, a helmet and mantling was added to the council's stationery and to the new city seal that was made in 1936. The motto reads "Debile principium melior fortuna sequitur"—"Better fortune follows a humble beginning".[citation needed]

The blazon of the arms registered by the South African Bureau of Heraldry and granted to Durban on 9 February 1979. The coat of arms fell into disuse with the re-organisation of the South African local government structure in 2000. The seal ceased to be used in 1995.[13][14]

Government edit

With the end of apartheid, Durban was subject to restructuring of local government. Its first mayor was Sipho Ngwenya.[citation needed] In 1996, the city became part of the Durban UniCity in July 1996 as part of transitional arrangements and to eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in 1999, with the adoption of South Africa's new municipal governance system. In July 1996, Obed Mlaba was appointed mayor of Durban UniCity; in 1999 he was elected mayor of the eThekwini municipality and re-elected in 2006. Following the May 2011 local elections, James Nxumalo, the former speaker of the council, was elected as the new mayor. On 23 August 2016 Zandile Gumede was elected as the new mayor until 13 August 2019.[15] On 5 September 2019 Mxolisi Kaunda was sworn in as the new mayor.[16]

The name of the Durban municipal government, prior to the post-apartheid reorganisations of municipalities, was the Durban Corporation or City of Durban.[17]

Geography edit

Durban is located on the east coast of South Africa, looking out upon the Indian Ocean. The city lies at the mouth of the Umgeni River, which demarcates parts of Durban's north city limit, while other sections of the river flow through the city itself. Durban has a natural harbour, Port of Durban, which is the busiest port in South Africa and is the 4th-busiest in the Southern Hemisphere.

The extent of urban sprawl the Greater Durban agglomeration has experienced, virtually adjoining surrounding smaller towns, has made boundaries in the metropolitan area quite complicated. Durban proper, which is the main city, is demarcated by its administrative city limits which are only as large to include the city centre, the Bluff, Berea, Durban North, Mobeni as well as Umbogintwini, Athlone Park, Isipingo and Prospecton to the south among other suburbs.[18][19]

However, the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is an amalgamation of Durban proper and over 120 other nearby formerly independent towns and suburbs such as Amanzimtoti, Cato Ridge, Chatsworth, Hillcrest, KwaMashu, Inanda, oThongathi, Pinetown, Queensburgh, uMhlanga, Umlazi, Verulam and Westville among others which have organically merged yet still retain their legal boundaries.

The name "Durban" is commonly referred to by residents as not just the city proper but the Greater Durban metropolitan area which sometimes extends beyond eThekwini to include Scottburgh, Ballito and KwaDukuza.[citation needed] Similarly, the demonym of a "Durbanite" not only refers to people who live within Durban proper but to residents of the Greater Durban metropolitan area.

Climate edit

Durban has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa/Cwa), with hot, humid summers and warm, moderately dry winters, which are snow and frost-free. Durban has an annual rainfall of 1,009 millimetres (39.7 in). The average temperature in summer ranges around 24 °C (75 °F), while in winter the average temperature is 17 °C (63 °F).

Climate data for Durban (1961–2023)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 38.6
(101.5)
39.7
(103.5)
34.8
(94.6)
36.0
(96.8)
33.8
(92.8)
35.7
(96.3)
33.8
(92.8)
35.9
(96.6)
36.9
(98.4)
40.0
(104.0)
41.4
(106.5)
35.9
(96.6)
41.4
(106.5)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 32.6
(90.7)
31.7
(89.1)
32.0
(89.6)
30.4
(86.7)
30.2
(86.4)
28.8
(83.8)
28.9
(84.0)
29.7
(85.5)
30.3
(86.5)
30.5
(86.9)
30.6
(87.1)
32.0
(89.6)
34.5
(94.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27.8
(82.0)
28.0
(82.4)
27.7
(81.9)
26.1
(79.0)
24.5
(76.1)
23.0
(73.4)
22.6
(72.7)
22.8
(73.0)
23.3
(73.9)
24.0
(75.2)
25.2
(77.4)
26.9
(80.4)
25.2
(77.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 24.1
(75.4)
24.3
(75.7)
23.7
(74.7)
21.6
(70.9)
19.1
(66.4)
16.6
(61.9)
16.5
(61.7)
17.7
(63.9)
19.2
(66.6)
20.1
(68.2)
21.4
(70.5)
23.1
(73.6)
20.6
(69.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 21.1
(70.0)
21.1
(70.0)
20.3
(68.5)
17.4
(63.3)
13.8
(56.8)
10.6
(51.1)
10.5
(50.9)
12.5
(54.5)
15.3
(59.5)
16.8
(62.2)
18.3
(64.9)
20.0
(68.0)
16.5
(61.7)
Mean minimum °C (°F) 17.3
(63.1)
17.1
(62.8)
16.1
(61.0)
12.1
(53.8)
8.7
(47.7)
5.9
(42.6)
5.8
(42.4)
7.3
(45.1)
10.0
(50.0)
11.9
(53.4)
13.8
(56.8)
15.9
(60.6)
5.3
(41.5)
Record low °C (°F) 14.0
(57.2)
13.3
(55.9)
11.6
(52.9)
8.6
(47.5)
4.9
(40.8)
3.5
(38.3)
1.7
(35.1)
2.6
(36.7)
4.5
(40.1)
8.3
(46.9)
10.3
(50.5)
11.8
(53.2)
1.7
(35.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 134
(5.3)
113
(4.4)
120
(4.7)
73
(2.9)
59
(2.3)
38
(1.5)
39
(1.5)
62
(2.4)
73
(2.9)
98
(3.9)
108
(4.3)
102
(4.0)
1,019
(40.1)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 15.2 12.9 12.6 9.2 6.8 4.5 4.9 7.1 11.0 15.1 16.0 15.0 130.3
Average relative humidity (%) 80 80 80 78 76 72 72 75 77 78 79 79 77
Mean monthly sunshine hours 184.0 178.8 201.6 206.4 223.6 224.9 230.4 217.0 173.3 169.4 166.1 189.9 2,365.4
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[20]
Source 2: NOAA (sun, extremes and humidity)[21]

Climate change edit

A 2019 paper published in PLOS One estimated that under Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5, a "moderate" scenario of climate change where global warming reaches ~2.5–3 °C (4.5–5.4 °F) by 2100, the climate of Durban in the year 2050 would most closely resemble the current climate of Kigali. The annual temperature would increase by 1.7 °C (3.1 °F), and the temperature of the coldest month by 1.8 °C (3.2 °F), while the temperature of the warmest month would be 0.5 °C (0.90 °F) lower.[22][23] According to Climate Action Tracker, the current warming trajectory appears consistent with 2.7 °C (4.9 °F), which closely matches RCP 4.5.[24]

Moreover, according to the 2022 IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, Durban is one of 12 major African cities (Abidjan, Alexandria, Algiers, Cape Town, Casablanca, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Lagos, Lomé, Luanda and Maputo) which would be the most severely affected by future sea level rise. It estimates that they would collectively sustain cumulative damages of USD 65 billion under RCP 4.5 and USD 86.5 billion for the high-emission scenario RCP 8.5 by the year 2050. Additionally, RCP 8.5 combined with the hypothetical impact from marine ice sheet instability at high levels of warming would involve up to 137.5 billion USD in damages, while the additional accounting for the "low-probability, high-damage events" may increase aggregate risks to USD 187 billion for the "moderate" RCP4.5, USD 206 billion for RCP8.5 and USD 397 billion under the high-end ice sheet instability scenario.[25] Since sea level rise would continue for about 10,000 years under every scenario of climate change, future costs of sea level rise would only increase, especially without adaptation measures.[26]

Demographics edit

 
Geographical distribution of home languages in eThekwini metropole
  •   Xhosa
  •   Zulu
  •   No language dominant

Durban is ethnically diverse, with a cultural richness of mixed beliefs and traditions. Zulus form the largest single ethnic group. It has a large number of people of British and Indian descent. The influence of Indians in Durban has been significant, bringing with them a variety of cuisine, culture and religion.[27]

In the years following the end of apartheid, there was a population boom as black Africans were allowed to move into the city. The population grew by an annual average of 2.34% between 1996 and 2001. This led to shanty towns forming around the city which were often demolished. Between 2001 and 2011, the population growth slowed down to 1.08% per year and shanty towns have become less common as the government builds low-income housing.[28]

The population of the city of Durban and central suburbs such as Durban North, Durban South and the Berea increased 10.9% between 2001 and 2011 from 536,644 to 595,061.[29][30] The proportion of black Africans increased while the proportion of people in all the other racial groups decreased. Black Africans increased from 34.9% to 51.1%; Indians or Asians decreased from 27.3% to 24.0%; whites decreased from 25.5% to 15.3%; and Coloureds decreased from 10.26% to 8.59%. A new racial group, "Other", was included in the 2011 census at 0.93%.

The city's demographics indicate that 68% of the population is of working age, and 38% of the people in Durban are under the age of 19 years.[31]

Durban has the highest number of dollar millionaires added per year of any South African city, with the number having increased 200 percent between 2000 and 2014.[32]

Economy edit

Sugar refining is one of Durban's main industries. South Africa produces 19.9 million tons of sugar cane a year and most of it comes from KwaZulu-Natal.[citation needed]

Informal sector edit

Durban has a number of informal and semi-formal street vendors. The Warwick Junction Precinct is home to a number of street markets, with vendors selling goods from traditional medicine, to clothing and spices.[33]

The city's treatment of shack dwellers was criticised in a report from the United Nations linked Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions[34] and there has also been criticism of the city's treatment of street traders,[35][36] street children[37] and sex workers.[38] The cannabis strain called 'Durban Poison' is named for the city.[39]

Civil society edit

There are a number of civil society organisations based in Durban. These include: Abahlali baseMjondolo movement,[40] the Diakonia Council of Churches, the Right2Know Campaign, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the South African Unemployed Peoples' Movement.[41][42][43][44][45][46]

Tourism and culture edit

Durban has been named the greenest city in the world by Husqvarna Urban Green Space Index.[47][48]

Tourist destinations edit

Cultural attractions edit

There are many museums, art galleries, theatres, and other centres of culture in Durban.

The African Art Centre is "the longest surviving organisation involved in the development and promotion of African artists and crafters", founded in 1960, and moving to a new home in Station Drive in 2017.[53]

Ethekwini Municipal Libraries is a free public library network with 90 circulating branch libraries across the metropolitan area, and the Central Reference Library at the Liberty Towers Building, which includes a significant collection of Africana books.[54]

The Phansi Museum is located in the historic Roberts House, a 19th-century colonial mansion and former home of Esther Roberts, a librarian and collector of Africana, member and supporter of the Black Sash anti-apartheid group. The collection and library is now linked to the University of KwaZulu-Natal.[55] It is one of the most extensive Southern African art museums in the world, founded by Paul Mikula, who purchased artefacts from traditional craftspeople through Southern Africa over 30 years. The collection includes 19th-century beadwork, pottery, carvings, and textiles. Talks and exhibitions are held at the museum.[56]

The Playhouse Theatre is located on Anton Lembede Street (formerly Smith Street). The original building on the site was a cinema built in 1896, which was rebuilt in 1935 in Tudor Revival style. The cinema reopened on 7 June 1935 and finally closed in the 1970s.[57] After being taken over by the Performing Arts Council in the 1980s,[58] the building was restored in 1985–6, and with the former Colosseum Theatre (or Prince's Theatre) is now a performing arts centre with five venues. The refurbishment architects, Small & Pettit & Robson, were awarded the 1987 Institute of South African Architects Natal Award of Merit for the work.[57][59] home to the Playhouse Theatre Company.[60] The company's mission is "is to provide cultural education and entertainment in both an African and international context" and, apart from drama and dance performances, the company runs an educational program and presents theatre to schools.[58] The Playhouse has been a venue for staging the work of many famous South African playwrights, including Mbongeni Ngema, [61] and in October 2023 there was a casting call for a new musical entitled From Gibson Kente to Mbongeni Ngema, to celebrate the works and influence of Gibson Kente and Ngema.[62]

Other significant cultural attractions include:

Places of worship edit

Among the places of worship, there are predominantly Christian churches and temples. These include: Zion Christian Church, Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa, Assemblies of God, Baptist Union of Southern Africa (Baptist World Alliance), Methodist Church of Southern Africa (World Methodist Council), Anglican Church of Southern Africa (Anglican Communion), Presbyterian Church of Africa (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Durban (Catholic Church) and the Durban South Africa Temple (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).[64]

There are also mosques and Hindu temples.

Media edit

 
View of Durban Harbour

Two major English-language daily newspapers are published in Durban, both part of the Independent Newspapers, the national group owned by Sekunjalo Investments. These are the morning editions of The Mercury and the afternoon Daily News. Like most news media in South Africa, they have seen declining circulations in recent years. Major Zulu language papers comprise Isolezwe (Independent Newspapers), UmAfrika and Ilanga. Independent Newspapers also publish Post, a newspaper aimed largely at the Indian community. A national Sunday paper, the Sunday Tribune is also published by Independent Newspapers as is the Independent on Saturday.

A major city initiative is the eZasegagasini Metro Gazette.[65]

The national broadcaster, the SABC, has regional offices in Durban and operates two major stations there. The Zulu language Ukhozi FM has a huge national listenership of over 6.67 million, which makes it the second largest radio station in the world. The SABC also operates Radio Lotus, which is aimed at South Africans of Indian origin. The other SABC national stations have smaller regional offices in Durban, as does TV for news links and sports broadcasts. A major English language radio station, East Coast Radio,[66] operates out of Durban and is owned by SA media giant Kagiso Media. There are a number of smaller stations which are independent, having been granted licences by ICASA, the national agency charged with the issue of broadcast licences.

Sport edit

 
Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban in 2009
 
Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban

Durban was initially successful in its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games,[67] but needed to withdraw in March 2017 from the role of hosts when the government withdrew its subsidy due to financial constraints.[68] Birmingham, England replaced Durban as the host city.

Durban is home to The Sharks rugby union club, also known as the Cell C Sharks, who compete in the domestic Currie Cup competition as well as in the international United Rugby Championship and Heineken Champions Cup competition. The Sharks' home ground is the 54,000 capacity HollywoodbetsKings Park Stadium, sometimes referred to as the Shark Tank. The Sharks are home to many South Africa national rugby union team players such as Thomas du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Makazole Mapimipi, Lukhanyo Am and the 2019 Rugby World Cup captain Siya Kolisi.

The city has two clubs in the Premier Soccer LeagueAmaZulu, and Golden Arrows. AmaZulu play most of their home games at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Golden Arrows play most of their home games at the King Zwelithini Stadium in the nearby township of Umlazi, but sometimes play some of their matches at Moses Mabhida Stadium or Chatsworth Stadium. It is also a home to some teams that are playing in the National First Division such as Royal Eagles FC and Royal Kings

 
Bus transporting supporters during 2010 FIFA World Cup

Durban is host to the KwaZulu-Natal cricket team, who play as the Dolphins when competing in the Sunfoil Series. Shaun Pollock, Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Barry Richards, Andrew Hudson, Hashim Amla, Vince van der Bijl, Kevin Pietersen, Dale Benkenstein and David Miller are all players or past players of the Natal cricket team. International cricketers representing them include Malcolm Marshall, Dwayne Bravo and Graham Onions. Cricket in Durban is played at Kingsmead cricket ground.

Durban hosted matches in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup. In 2007 the city hosted nine matches, including a semi-final, as part of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20. The 2009 IPL season was played in South Africa, and Durban was selected as a venue. 2010 saw the city host six matches, including a semi-final, in the 2010 Champions League Twenty20.

Durban was one of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and A1 Grand Prix held a race on a street circuit in Durban from 2006 to 2008. Durban hosted the 123rd IOC Session in July 2011.

The city is home to Greyville Racecourse, a major Thoroughbred horse racing venue which annually hosts a number of prestigious races including the country's premier event, the July Handicap, and the premier staying event in South Africa, the Gold Cup. Clairwood racecourse, south of the city, was a popular racing venue for many years, but was sold by the KZN racing authority in 2012.[69][70]

Durban hosts many famous endurance sports events annually, such as the Comrades Marathon, Dusi Canoe Marathon and the Ironman 70.3.

The city hosted several continental basketball tournaments such as the 1994 FIBA Africa Championship for Women or the 2006 FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship.[71]

Transport edit

Air edit

 
King Shaka International Airport

King Shaka International Airport services both domestic and international flights, with regularly scheduled services to Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Harare, Lusaka & Manzini as well as eight domestic destinations. Flights to Luanda start on 16 January 2024. The airport's position forms part of the Golden Triangle between Johannesburg and Cape Town, which is important for convenient travel and trade between these three major South African cities. The airport opened in May 2010. King Shaka International Airport handled 6.1 million passengers in 2019/2020, up 1.8 percent from 2018/2019. King Shaka International was constructed at La Mercy, about 36 kilometres (22 mi) north of central Durban. All operations at Durban International Airport have been transferred to King Shaka International as of 1 May 2010, with plans for flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, Kigali, Luanda, Lilongwe and Nairobi.

Sea edit

 
Durban Harbour

Durban has a long tradition as a port city. The Port of Durban, formerly known as the Port of Natal, is one of the few natural harbours between Port Elizabeth and Maputo, and is also located at the beginning of a particular[clarification needed] weather phenomenon which can cause extremely violent seas. These two features made Durban an extremely busy port of call for ship repairs when the port was opened in the 1840s.

MSC Cruises bases one of their cruise ships in Durban from November to April every year. From the 2023/2024 Southern Africa cruise season MSC Cruises will be basing the MSC Splendida in Durban. Durban is the most popular cruise hub in Southern Africa. Cruise destinations from Durban on the MSC Splendida include Mozambique, Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar and other domestic destinations such as Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Many other ships cruise through Durban every year, including some of the world's biggest, such as the RMS Queen Mary 2, the biggest ocean liner in the world. Durban has built a brand new R200 million cruise terminal that has been in operation since October 2019, the Durban Cruise Terminal. The tender was awarded to KwaZulu Cruise Terminal (Pty) Ltd which is 70% owned by MSC Cruises SA and 30% by Africa Armada Consortium. The new cruise terminal will be able to accommodate two cruise ships at any given time.[72]

Naval Base Durban on Salisbury Island (now joined to the mainland and part of the Port of Durban), was established as a naval base during the Second World War. It was downgraded in 2002 to a naval station. In 2012 a decision was made to renovate and expand the facilities back up to a full naval base to accommodate the South African Navy's offshore patrol flotilla.[73] In December 2015 it was redesignated Naval Base Durban.[74]

Rail edit

Durban featured the first operating steam railway in South Africa when the Natal Railway Company started operating a line between the Point and the city of Durban in 1860.[75]

Shosholoza Meyl, the passenger rail service of Spoornet, operates two long-distance passenger rail services from Durban: a daily service to and from Johannesburg via Pietermaritzburg and Newcastle, and a weekly service to and from Cape Town via Kimberley and Bloemfontein. These trains terminate at Durban railway station.

Metrorail operates a commuter rail service in Durban and the surrounding area. The Metrorail network runs from Durban Station outwards as far as Stanger on the north coast, Kelso on the south coast, and Cato Ridge inland.

A high-speed rail link has been proposed, between Johannesburg and Durban.[76]

Roads edit

 
N3 freeway on its approach to Durban's CBD, with N2–N3 stack interchange in the foreground

The city's main position as a port of entry onto the southern African continent has led to the development of national roads around it. The N3 Western Freeway, which links Durban with the economic hinterland of Gauteng, heads west out of the city. The N2 Outer Ring Road links Durban with the Eastern Cape to the south, and Mpumalanga in the north. The Western Freeway is particularly important because freight is shipped by truck to and from the Witwatersrand for transfer to the port.

The N3 Western Freeway starts in the central business district and heads west under Tollgate Bridge and through the suburbs of Sherwood and Mayville. The EB Cloete Interchange (which is informally nicknamed the Spaghetti Junction) lies to the west of Durban and east of Westville, allowing for transfer of traffic between the N2 Outer Ring Road and the Western Freeway.

The N2 Outer Ring Road cuts through the city from the north coast to the south coast. It provides a vital link to the coastal towns (such as Amanzimtoti, Kingsburgh, Scottburgh, eMkhomazi, Ballito and KwaDukuza) that rely on Durban.

Durban also has a system of freeway and dual arterial metropolitan routes, which connect the sprawling suburbs that lie to the north, west and south of the city. The M4 exists in two segments. The northern segment, named the Ruth First Highway, starts as an alternative highway from the R102 in Ballito and shortly after intersects the N2. It passes through the seaside towns and villages of La Mercy and eMdloti before becoming a dual carriageway in uMhlanga, north of Durban and ending at the northern edge of the CBD. The southern segment of the M4, the Albert Lutuli[77] Highway, starts at the southern edge of the CBD, connecting through to the old, decommissioned Durban International Airport, where it once again reconnects at the southern end of the N2 Outer Ring Road.

The M7 connects the southern industrial basin of Durban with the N3 and Pinetown via Queensburgh via the N2. The M19 connects the inner northern suburbs of Durban with Pinetown via Westville and the M41 connects uMhlanga and Phoenix via Mount Edgecombe and the N2.

The M13 (King Cetshwayo Highway) is an untolled alternative to the N3 Western Freeway (which is tolled at Mariannhill) and is an important commuter route linking the nearby towns and suburbs to the west of Durban such as Hillcrest, Gillitts, Kloof, Pinetown and Westville to the city.

In the late 2000s 107 streets in Durban were renamed, typically to honour individuals involved in the antiapartheid or international revolutionary movements, with two-thirds of the streets named after individuals associated with the governing African National Congress. This was done in two stages; a first, smaller one, which renamed eighteen streets and was met with some trepidation by opposition parties, particularly the Democratic Alliance, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and the Minority Front, and a second, larger stage, which renamed 99 streets and was met with considerably wider opposition after the controversy of the first and the minimal time between them.[78][79] The first group was met with some opposition from This process was met with outrage from both opposition parties and the parts of the general public, as well as incidents of vandalism against the new road signs. The Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, and Minority Front were concerned with their lack of participation in the process, and that the emphasis on individuals affiliated with the ANC presented a partisan image of the antiapartheid struggle. Among the general public there was significant opposition from middle-class white South Africans, Indian South Africans, and Zulu nationalists, who believed that the new names should have a connection to the people and the history of the locality. In response, the ANC characterized the project as a transformation and part of progressive social change, characterizing their opponents as being "antitransformation" and "pro-apartheid".[80][81][82]

Buses edit

Several companies run long-distance bus services from Durban to the other cities in South Africa. Buses have a long history in Durban. Most of them have been run by Indian owners since the early 1930s. Privately owned buses which are not subsidised by the government also service the communities. Buses operate in all areas of the eThekwini Municipality. Since 2003 buses have been violently taken out of the routes and bus ranks by taxi operators.[83]

Durban was previously served by the Durban trolleybus system, which first ran in 1935.[84]

Since 2017 the newer People Mover Bus System which runs along certain routes has been testing out free Wi-Fi for passengers.[85]

Taxis edit

Durban has two kinds of taxis: metered taxis and minibus taxis. Unlike in many cities, metered taxis are not allowed to drive around the city to solicit fares and instead must be called and ordered to a specific location. A number of companies service the Durban and surrounding regions. These taxis can also be called upon for airport transfers, point to point pickups and shuttles.

Mini bus taxis are the standard form of transport for the majority of the population who cannot afford private cars.[86][87][88] With the high demand for transport by the working class of South Africa, minibus taxis are often filled over their legal passenger allowance, making for high casualty rates when they are involved in accidents. Minibuses are generally owned and operated in fleets, and inter-operator violence flares up from time to time, especially as turf wars over lucrative taxi routes occur.[89]

Ride sharing apps Uber and Taxify have been launched in Durban and are also used by commuters.[90]

Rickshaws edit

Although rickshaws have been a mode of transportation since the early 1900s, they have been displaced by other forms of motorised transport. The roughly 25 remaining rickshaws mostly cater to tourists.[91]

Crime and safety edit

Compared to other South African cities, Durban has a high murder rate. Between April 2018 and March 2019, the Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality recorded 1,871 murders, gradually increasing from 1,349 seven years earlier and down from 2,042 in 2009.[92]

Criminals usually avoid targeting tourists because they know that the police response will be greater.[93]

Heist or theft is a common crime in the city.[94] Most houses are protected by high walls and wealthier residents are often able to afford greater protection such as electric fencing, private security or gated communities.[95] Crime rates vary widely across the city and most inner suburbs have much lower murder rates than in outlying areas of Ethekwini. Police station precincts recording the lowest murder rates per 100,000 in 2017 were Durban North (7), Mayville (8), Westville (12) and Malvern (12); Kwamashu (76) and Umlazi (69) were some of the most dangerous areas.[96] Other crime comparisons are less valuable due to significant under-reporting especially in outlying areas.

There was a period of intense violence beginning in the 1990s, and the Durban area recorded a murder rate of 83 per 100,000 in 1999.[97] The murder rate dropped rapidly in the 2000s before increasing rapidly throughout the 2010s. Durban is one of the main drug trafficking routes for drugs exiting and entering sub-Saharan Africa. The drug trade has increased significantly over the past 20 years.[98]

Education edit

Private schools edit

Public schools edit

 
Memorial Tower Building, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Universities and colleges edit

Twin towns and sister cities edit

Durban is twinned with:[100]

Notable residents edit

See also edit

References edit

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External links edit

  • eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality 29 March 1996 at the Wayback Machine
  • Durban Tourism Bureau
  • Gandhi Sites in Durban

durban, this, article, about, city, south, africa, other, uses, disambiguation, ɜːr, bən, zulu, ethekwini, from, itheku, meaning, port, also, called, ezibubulungwini, mountain, range, that, terminates, area, third, most, populous, city, south, africa, after, j. This article is about the city in South Africa For other uses see Durban disambiguation Durban ˈ d ɜːr b e n DUR ben Zulu eThekwini from itheku meaning the port also called eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area is the third most populous city in South Africa after Johannesburg and Cape Town and the largest city in KwaZulu Natal Durban forms part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality which includes neighbouring towns and has a population of about 4 million 6 making the combined municipality one of the largest cities on the Indian Ocean coast of the African continent Durban was also one of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Durban eThekwini Zulu CityClockwise from top left Durban beachfront Golden Mile uShaka Marine World Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World Moses Mabhida Stadium Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and Durban City HallFlagCoat of armsDurbanShow map of KwaZulu NatalDurbanShow map of South AfricaDurbanShow map of AfricaCoordinates 29 53 S 31 03 E 29 883 S 31 050 E 29 883 31 050Country South AfricaProvince KwaZulu NatalMunicipalityeThekwiniEstablished1824 1 Named forBenjamin D UrbanGovernment TypeMetropolitan municipality MayorMxolisi Kaunda ANC Area 2 City225 91 km2 87 22 sq mi Metro2 292 km2 885 sq mi Population 2023 2 City4 034 678 Density18 000 km2 46 000 sq mi Urban838 634DemonymDurbanite 3 Racial makeup 2011 2 Black African51 1 Coloured8 6 Indian Asian24 0 White15 3 Other0 9 First languages 2011 2 English49 8 Zulu33 1 Xhosa5 9 Afrikaans3 6 Other7 6 Time zoneUTC 2 SAST Postal code street 4001PO box4000Area code031GDPUS 83 9 billion 4 GDP per capitaUS 15 575 4 Websitewww wbr durban wbr gov wbr zaDurban was formerly named Port Natal due to its position as the chief seaport of South Africa and its location on the Natal Bay of the Indian Ocean Durban is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and along with Johannesburg is one of the largest cities in Africa 7 Durban is an ethnically diverse city with large Zulu White and Indian Asian populations Contents 1 History 1 1 Abambo people 1 2 First European colonisers 1 3 Republic of Natalia 1 3 1 Durban s historic regalia 2 Government 3 Geography 3 1 Climate 3 1 1 Climate change 4 Demographics 5 Economy 5 1 Informal sector 5 2 Civil society 6 Tourism and culture 6 1 Tourist destinations 6 2 Cultural attractions 6 3 Places of worship 7 Media 8 Sport 9 Transport 9 1 Air 9 2 Sea 9 3 Rail 9 4 Roads 9 5 Buses 9 6 Taxis 9 7 Rickshaws 10 Crime and safety 11 Education 11 1 Private schools 11 2 Public schools 11 3 Universities and colleges 12 Twin towns and sister cities 13 Notable residents 14 See also 15 References 16 External linksHistory editFor a chronological guide see Timeline of Durban Archaeological evidence from the Drakensberg mountains suggests that the Durban area has been inhabited by communities of hunter gatherers since 100 000 BC These people lived throughout the area of KwaZulu Natal until the expansion of agro pastoralists and pastoralists from the north saw their gradual incorporation Oral history has been passed down from generation to generation by the Zulu nation who were inhabitants of the land before colonisers but there is no written history of the area until it was sighted by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama who sailed parallel to the KwaZulu Natal coast at Christmastide in 1497 while searching for a route from Europe to India He named the area Natal meaning Christmas in Portuguese 8 Abambo people edit In 1686 a ship from the Dutch East India Company named Stavenisse was wrecked off the eastern coast of South Africa Some of the survivors made their way to the Bay of Natal Durban where they were taken in by the Abambo tribe Hlubi people which was led by Chief Langalibalele The crew became fluent in the tribe s language and witnessed their customs The tribe told them that the land where the Abambo people lived was called Embo by the natives and that the people were very hospitable citation needed On 28 October 1689 the galiot Noord travelled from Table Bay to the Bay of Natal to fetch the surviving crew of the Stavenisse and to negotiate a deal for purchasing the bay The Noord arrived on 9 December 1689 whereafter the Dutch Cape Colony purchased the Bay of Natal from the Abambo people for 1 650 A formal contract was drawn up by Laurens van Swaanswyk and signed by the chief of the Abambo people with the crew of the Stavenisse acting as translators 9 First European colonisers edit By 1822 James Saunders King captain of the British ship Salisbury together with Lt Francis George Farewell both men being former Royal Navy officers from the Napoleonic Wars were engaged in trade between the Cape and Delagoa Bay On a return trip to the Cape in 1823 they were caught in a severe storm and decided to risk the Bar and anchor in the Bay of Natal The crossing went off well and they found safe anchor from the storm Lt King decided to map the Bay and named the Salisbury and Farewell Islands In 1824 Lt Farewell together with a trading company called J R Thompson amp Co decided to open trade relations with Shaka the Zulu King and establish a trading station at the Bay Henry Francis Fynn another trader at Delagoa Bay was also involved in this venture citation needed Fynn left Delagoa Bay and sailed for the Bay of Natal on the brig Julia while Farewell followed six weeks later on the Antelope Between them they had 26 possible settlers although only 18 stayed On a visit to King Shaka Henry Francis Fynn succeeded in befriending the king by helping him recover from a stab wound that he had suffered as a result of an assassination attempt by one of his half brothers As a token of his gratitude King Shaka granted Fynn a 25 mile strip of coast a hundred miles in depth citation needed On 7 August 1824 they concluded negotiations with King Shaka for a cession of land including the Bay of Natal and land extending 16 km 10 mi south of the Bay 40 km 25 mi north of the Bay and 160 km 100 mi inland Farewell took possession of this grant and raised the Union Jack with a Royal Salute which consisted of 4 cannon shots and twenty musket shots Only six of the original eighteen would be settlers remained and these six can be regarded as the founders of Port Natal as a British colony These six were joined by Lt James Saunders King and Nathaniel Isaacs in 1825 citation needed The modern city of Durban thus dates from 1824 when the settlement was established on the northern shores of the bay near today s Farewell Square 10 During a meeting of 35 European residents in Fynn s territory on 23 June 1835 it was decided to build a capital town and name it D Urban after Sir Benjamin D Urban who was the governor of the Cape Colony at the time 11 Republic of Natalia edit Main article Battle of Congella The Voortrekkers established the Republic of Natalia in 1839 with its capital at Pietermaritzburg citation needed Tension between the Voortrekkers and the Zulus prompted the governor of the Cape Colony to dispatch a force under Captain Charlton Smith to establish British rule in Natal for fear of losing British control in Port Natal The force arrived on 4 May 1842 and built a fortification that was later to be The Old Fort On the night of 23 24 May 1842 the British attacked the Voortrekker camp at Congella The attack failed and the British had to withdraw to their camp which was put under siege A local trader Dick King and his servant Ndongeni were able to escape the blockade and rode to Grahamstown a distance of 600 km 370 mi in fourteen days to raise reinforcements The reinforcements arrived in Durban 20 days later the Voortrekkers retreated and the siege was lifted 12 Fierce conflict with the Zulu population led to the evacuation of Durban and eventually the Afrikaners accepted British annexation in 1844 under military pressure citation needed Durban s historic regalia edit When the Borough of Durban was proclaimed in 1854 the council had to procure a seal for official documents The seal was produced in 1855 and was replaced in 1882 The new seal contained a coat of arms without helmet or mantling that combined the coats of arms of Sir Benjamin D Urban and Sir Benjamin Pine An application was made to register the coat of arms with the College of Arms in 1906 but this application was rejected on grounds that the design implied that D Urban and Pine were husband and wife Nevertheless the coat of arms appeared on the council s stationery from about 1912 The following year a helmet and mantling was added to the council s stationery and to the new city seal that was made in 1936 The motto reads Debile principium melior fortuna sequitur Better fortune follows a humble beginning citation needed The blazon of the arms registered by the South African Bureau of Heraldry and granted to Durban on 9 February 1979 The coat of arms fell into disuse with the re organisation of the South African local government structure in 2000 The seal ceased to be used in 1995 13 14 Government editFurther information eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and Mayors of DurbanWith the end of apartheid Durban was subject to restructuring of local government Its first mayor was Sipho Ngwenya citation needed In 1996 the city became part of the Durban UniCity in July 1996 as part of transitional arrangements and to eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in 1999 with the adoption of South Africa s new municipal governance system In July 1996 Obed Mlaba was appointed mayor of Durban UniCity in 1999 he was elected mayor of the eThekwini municipality and re elected in 2006 Following the May 2011 local elections James Nxumalo the former speaker of the council was elected as the new mayor On 23 August 2016 Zandile Gumede was elected as the new mayor until 13 August 2019 15 On 5 September 2019 Mxolisi Kaunda was sworn in as the new mayor 16 The name of the Durban municipal government prior to the post apartheid reorganisations of municipalities was the Durban Corporation or City of Durban 17 Geography editDurban is located on the east coast of South Africa looking out upon the Indian Ocean The city lies at the mouth of the Umgeni River which demarcates parts of Durban s north city limit while other sections of the river flow through the city itself Durban has a natural harbour Port of Durban which is the busiest port in South Africa and is the 4th busiest in the Southern Hemisphere The extent of urban sprawl the Greater Durban agglomeration has experienced virtually adjoining surrounding smaller towns has made boundaries in the metropolitan area quite complicated Durban proper which is the main city is demarcated by its administrative city limits which are only as large to include the city centre the Bluff Berea Durban North Mobeni as well as Umbogintwini Athlone Park Isipingo and Prospecton to the south among other suburbs 18 19 However the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is an amalgamation of Durban proper and over 120 other nearby formerly independent towns and suburbs such as Amanzimtoti Cato Ridge Chatsworth Hillcrest KwaMashu Inanda oThongathi Pinetown Queensburgh uMhlanga Umlazi Verulam and Westville among others which have organically merged yet still retain their legal boundaries The name Durban is commonly referred to by residents as not just the city proper but the Greater Durban metropolitan area which sometimes extends beyond eThekwini to include Scottburgh Ballito and KwaDukuza citation needed Similarly the demonym of a Durbanite not only refers to people who live within Durban proper but to residents of the Greater Durban metropolitan area Climate edit Durban has a humid subtropical climate Koppen climate classification Cfa Cwa with hot humid summers and warm moderately dry winters which are snow and frost free Durban has an annual rainfall of 1 009 millimetres 39 7 in The average temperature in summer ranges around 24 C 75 F while in winter the average temperature is 17 C 63 F Climate data for Durban 1961 2023 Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearRecord high C F 38 6 101 5 39 7 103 5 34 8 94 6 36 0 96 8 33 8 92 8 35 7 96 3 33 8 92 8 35 9 96 6 36 9 98 4 40 0 104 0 41 4 106 5 35 9 96 6 41 4 106 5 Mean maximum C F 32 6 90 7 31 7 89 1 32 0 89 6 30 4 86 7 30 2 86 4 28 8 83 8 28 9 84 0 29 7 85 5 30 3 86 5 30 5 86 9 30 6 87 1 32 0 89 6 34 5 94 1 Mean daily maximum C F 27 8 82 0 28 0 82 4 27 7 81 9 26 1 79 0 24 5 76 1 23 0 73 4 22 6 72 7 22 8 73 0 23 3 73 9 24 0 75 2 25 2 77 4 26 9 80 4 25 2 77 4 Daily mean C F 24 1 75 4 24 3 75 7 23 7 74 7 21 6 70 9 19 1 66 4 16 6 61 9 16 5 61 7 17 7 63 9 19 2 66 6 20 1 68 2 21 4 70 5 23 1 73 6 20 6 69 1 Mean daily minimum C F 21 1 70 0 21 1 70 0 20 3 68 5 17 4 63 3 13 8 56 8 10 6 51 1 10 5 50 9 12 5 54 5 15 3 59 5 16 8 62 2 18 3 64 9 20 0 68 0 16 5 61 7 Mean minimum C F 17 3 63 1 17 1 62 8 16 1 61 0 12 1 53 8 8 7 47 7 5 9 42 6 5 8 42 4 7 3 45 1 10 0 50 0 11 9 53 4 13 8 56 8 15 9 60 6 5 3 41 5 Record low C F 14 0 57 2 13 3 55 9 11 6 52 9 8 6 47 5 4 9 40 8 3 5 38 3 1 7 35 1 2 6 36 7 4 5 40 1 8 3 46 9 10 3 50 5 11 8 53 2 1 7 35 1 Average rainfall mm inches 134 5 3 113 4 4 120 4 7 73 2 9 59 2 3 38 1 5 39 1 5 62 2 4 73 2 9 98 3 9 108 4 3 102 4 0 1 019 40 1 Average rainy days 0 1 mm 15 2 12 9 12 6 9 2 6 8 4 5 4 9 7 1 11 0 15 1 16 0 15 0 130 3Average relative humidity 80 80 80 78 76 72 72 75 77 78 79 79 77Mean monthly sunshine hours 184 0 178 8 201 6 206 4 223 6 224 9 230 4 217 0 173 3 169 4 166 1 189 9 2 365 4Source 1 World Meteorological Organization 20 Source 2 NOAA sun extremes and humidity 21 Climate change edit A 2019 paper published in PLOS One estimated that under Representative Concentration Pathway 4 5 a moderate scenario of climate change where global warming reaches 2 5 3 C 4 5 5 4 F by 2100 the climate of Durban in the year 2050 would most closely resemble the current climate of Kigali The annual temperature would increase by 1 7 C 3 1 F and the temperature of the coldest month by 1 8 C 3 2 F while the temperature of the warmest month would be 0 5 C 0 90 F lower 22 23 According to Climate Action Tracker the current warming trajectory appears consistent with 2 7 C 4 9 F which closely matches RCP 4 5 24 Moreover according to the 2022 IPCC Sixth Assessment Report Durban is one of 12 major African cities Abidjan Alexandria Algiers Cape Town Casablanca Dakar Dar es Salaam Durban Lagos Lome Luanda and Maputo which would be the most severely affected by future sea level rise It estimates that they would collectively sustain cumulative damages of USD 65 billion under RCP 4 5 and USD 86 5 billion for the high emission scenario RCP 8 5 by the year 2050 Additionally RCP 8 5 combined with the hypothetical impact from marine ice sheet instability at high levels of warming would involve up to 137 5 billion USD in damages while the additional accounting for the low probability high damage events may increase aggregate risks to USD 187 billion for the moderate RCP4 5 USD 206 billion for RCP8 5 and USD 397 billion under the high end ice sheet instability scenario 25 Since sea level rise would continue for about 10 000 years under every scenario of climate change future costs of sea level rise would only increase especially without adaptation measures 26 Demographics edit nbsp Geographical distribution of home languages in eThekwini metropole Afrikaans English Xhosa Zulu No language dominantDurban is ethnically diverse with a cultural richness of mixed beliefs and traditions Zulus form the largest single ethnic group It has a large number of people of British and Indian descent The influence of Indians in Durban has been significant bringing with them a variety of cuisine culture and religion 27 In the years following the end of apartheid there was a population boom as black Africans were allowed to move into the city The population grew by an annual average of 2 34 between 1996 and 2001 This led to shanty towns forming around the city which were often demolished Between 2001 and 2011 the population growth slowed down to 1 08 per year and shanty towns have become less common as the government builds low income housing 28 The population of the city of Durban and central suburbs such as Durban North Durban South and the Berea increased 10 9 between 2001 and 2011 from 536 644 to 595 061 29 30 The proportion of black Africans increased while the proportion of people in all the other racial groups decreased Black Africans increased from 34 9 to 51 1 Indians or Asians decreased from 27 3 to 24 0 whites decreased from 25 5 to 15 3 and Coloureds decreased from 10 26 to 8 59 A new racial group Other was included in the 2011 census at 0 93 The city s demographics indicate that 68 of the population is of working age and 38 of the people in Durban are under the age of 19 years 31 Durban has the highest number of dollar millionaires added per year of any South African city with the number having increased 200 percent between 2000 and 2014 32 Economy editSugar refining is one of Durban s main industries South Africa produces 19 9 million tons of sugar cane a year and most of it comes from KwaZulu Natal citation needed Informal sector edit Durban has a number of informal and semi formal street vendors The Warwick Junction Precinct is home to a number of street markets with vendors selling goods from traditional medicine to clothing and spices 33 The city s treatment of shack dwellers was criticised in a report from the United Nations linked Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions 34 and there has also been criticism of the city s treatment of street traders 35 36 street children 37 and sex workers 38 The cannabis strain called Durban Poison is named for the city 39 Civil society edit There are a number of civil society organisations based in Durban These include Abahlali baseMjondolo movement 40 the Diakonia Council of Churches the Right2Know Campaign the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the South African Unemployed Peoples Movement 41 42 43 44 45 46 Tourism and culture editSee also List of nature reserves in eThekwini Durban has been named the greenest city in the world by Husqvarna Urban Green Space Index 47 48 Tourist destinations edit Burman Bush Durban Botanic Gardens Durban Art Gallery Durban Natural Science Museum Hawaan Forest 49 New Germany Nature Reserve 50 Pigeon Valley Nature reserve 51 Umgeni River Bird Park Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve Mitchell Park Zoo 52 Moses Mabhida Stadium Kingsmead Cricket Ground a major test match and one day cricket venue Kings Park Stadium home ground of the internationally renowned Sharks rugby team Greyville Racecourse home of the Durban July Handicap and Durban Country Club and golf course Cultural attractions edit There are many museums art galleries theatres and other centres of culture in Durban The African Art Centre is the longest surviving organisation involved in the development and promotion of African artists and crafters founded in 1960 and moving to a new home in Station Drive in 2017 53 Ethekwini Municipal Libraries is a free public library network with 90 circulating branch libraries across the metropolitan area and the Central Reference Library at the Liberty Towers Building which includes a significant collection of Africana books 54 The Phansi Museum is located in the historic Roberts House a 19th century colonial mansion and former home of Esther Roberts a librarian and collector of Africana member and supporter of the Black Sash anti apartheid group The collection and library is now linked to the University of KwaZulu Natal 55 It is one of the most extensive Southern African art museums in the world founded by Paul Mikula who purchased artefacts from traditional craftspeople through Southern Africa over 30 years The collection includes 19th century beadwork pottery carvings and textiles Talks and exhibitions are held at the museum 56 The Playhouse Theatre is located on Anton Lembede Street formerly Smith Street The original building on the site was a cinema built in 1896 which was rebuilt in 1935 in Tudor Revival style The cinema reopened on 7 June 1935 and finally closed in the 1970s 57 After being taken over by the Performing Arts Council in the 1980s 58 the building was restored in 1985 6 and with the former Colosseum Theatre or Prince s Theatre is now a performing arts centre with five venues The refurbishment architects Small amp Pettit amp Robson were awarded the 1987 Institute of South African Architects Natal Award of Merit for the work 57 59 home to the Playhouse Theatre Company 60 The company s mission is is to provide cultural education and entertainment in both an African and international context and apart from drama and dance performances the company runs an educational program and presents theatre to schools 58 The Playhouse has been a venue for staging the work of many famous South African playwrights including Mbongeni Ngema 61 and in October 2023 there was a casting call for a new musical entitled From Gibson Kente to Mbongeni Ngema to celebrate the works and influence of Gibson Kente and Ngema 62 Other significant cultural attractions include Durban Art Gallery KZNSA KwaZulu Natal Society of Arts 63 Places of worship edit Among the places of worship there are predominantly Christian churches and temples These include Zion Christian Church Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa Assemblies of God Baptist Union of Southern Africa Baptist World Alliance Methodist Church of Southern Africa World Methodist Council Anglican Church of Southern Africa Anglican Communion Presbyterian Church of Africa World Communion of Reformed Churches Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Durban Catholic Church and the Durban South Africa Temple The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints 64 There are also mosques and Hindu temples Media edit nbsp View of Durban HarbourTwo major English language daily newspapers are published in Durban both part of the Independent Newspapers the national group owned by Sekunjalo Investments These are the morning editions of The Mercury and the afternoon Daily News Like most news media in South Africa they have seen declining circulations in recent years Major Zulu language papers comprise Isolezwe Independent Newspapers UmAfrika and Ilanga Independent Newspapers also publish Post a newspaper aimed largely at the Indian community A national Sunday paper the Sunday Tribune is also published by Independent Newspapers as is the Independent on Saturday A major city initiative is the eZasegagasini Metro Gazette 65 The national broadcaster the SABC has regional offices in Durban and operates two major stations there The Zulu language Ukhozi FM has a huge national listenership of over 6 67 million which makes it the second largest radio station in the world The SABC also operates Radio Lotus which is aimed at South Africans of Indian origin The other SABC national stations have smaller regional offices in Durban as does TV for news links and sports broadcasts A major English language radio station East Coast Radio 66 operates out of Durban and is owned by SA media giant Kagiso Media There are a number of smaller stations which are independent having been granted licences by ICASA the national agency charged with the issue of broadcast licences Sport edit nbsp Kingsmead Cricket Ground Durban in 2009 nbsp Moses Mabhida Stadium in DurbanDurban was initially successful in its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games 67 but needed to withdraw in March 2017 from the role of hosts when the government withdrew its subsidy due to financial constraints 68 Birmingham England replaced Durban as the host city Durban is home to The Sharks rugby union club also known as the Cell C Sharks who compete in the domestic Currie Cup competition as well as in the international United Rugby Championship and Heineken Champions Cup competition The Sharks home ground is the 54 000 capacity HollywoodbetsKings Park Stadium sometimes referred to as the Shark Tank The Sharks are home to many South Africa national rugby union team players such as Thomas du Toit Bongi Mbonambi Eben Etzebeth Makazole Mapimipi Lukhanyo Am and the 2019 Rugby World Cup captain Siya Kolisi The city has two clubs in the Premier Soccer League AmaZulu and Golden Arrows AmaZulu play most of their home games at the Moses Mabhida Stadium Golden Arrows play most of their home games at the King Zwelithini Stadium in the nearby township of Umlazi but sometimes play some of their matches at Moses Mabhida Stadium or Chatsworth Stadium It is also a home to some teams that are playing in the National First Division such as Royal Eagles FC and Royal Kings nbsp Bus transporting supporters during 2010 FIFA World CupDurban is host to the KwaZulu Natal cricket team who play as the Dolphins when competing in the Sunfoil Series Shaun Pollock Jonty Rhodes Lance Klusener Barry Richards Andrew Hudson Hashim Amla Vince van der Bijl Kevin Pietersen Dale Benkenstein and David Miller are all players or past players of the Natal cricket team International cricketers representing them include Malcolm Marshall Dwayne Bravo and Graham Onions Cricket in Durban is played at Kingsmead cricket ground Durban hosted matches in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup In 2007 the city hosted nine matches including a semi final as part of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 The 2009 IPL season was played in South Africa and Durban was selected as a venue 2010 saw the city host six matches including a semi final in the 2010 Champions League Twenty20 Durban was one of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and A1 Grand Prix held a race on a street circuit in Durban from 2006 to 2008 Durban hosted the 123rd IOC Session in July 2011 The city is home to Greyville Racecourse a major Thoroughbred horse racing venue which annually hosts a number of prestigious races including the country s premier event the July Handicap and the premier staying event in South Africa the Gold Cup Clairwood racecourse south of the city was a popular racing venue for many years but was sold by the KZN racing authority in 2012 69 70 Durban hosts many famous endurance sports events annually such as the Comrades Marathon Dusi Canoe Marathon and the Ironman 70 3 The city hosted several continental basketball tournaments such as the 1994 FIBA Africa Championship for Women or the 2006 FIBA Africa Under 18 Championship 71 Transport editAir edit Main article List of airports in the Durban area nbsp King Shaka International AirportKing Shaka International Airport services both domestic and international flights with regularly scheduled services to Dubai Doha Istanbul Harare Lusaka amp Manzini as well as eight domestic destinations Flights to Luanda start on 16 January 2024 The airport s position forms part of the Golden Triangle between Johannesburg and Cape Town which is important for convenient travel and trade between these three major South African cities The airport opened in May 2010 King Shaka International Airport handled 6 1 million passengers in 2019 2020 up 1 8 percent from 2018 2019 King Shaka International was constructed at La Mercy about 36 kilometres 22 mi north of central Durban All operations at Durban International Airport have been transferred to King Shaka International as of 1 May 2010 with plans for flights to Hong Kong Singapore Mumbai Kigali Luanda Lilongwe and Nairobi Sea edit nbsp Durban HarbourDurban has a long tradition as a port city The Port of Durban formerly known as the Port of Natal is one of the few natural harbours between Port Elizabeth and Maputo and is also located at the beginning of a particular clarification needed weather phenomenon which can cause extremely violent seas These two features made Durban an extremely busy port of call for ship repairs when the port was opened in the 1840s MSC Cruises bases one of their cruise ships in Durban from November to April every year From the 2023 2024 Southern Africa cruise season MSC Cruises will be basing the MSC Splendida in Durban Durban is the most popular cruise hub in Southern Africa Cruise destinations from Durban on the MSC Splendida include Mozambique Mauritius Reunion Madagascar and other domestic destinations such as Port Elizabeth and Cape Town Many other ships cruise through Durban every year including some of the world s biggest such as the RMS Queen Mary 2 the biggest ocean liner in the world Durban has built a brand new R200 million cruise terminal that has been in operation since October 2019 the Durban Cruise Terminal The tender was awarded to KwaZulu Cruise Terminal Pty Ltd which is 70 owned by MSC Cruises SA and 30 by Africa Armada Consortium The new cruise terminal will be able to accommodate two cruise ships at any given time 72 Naval Base Durban on Salisbury Island now joined to the mainland and part of the Port of Durban was established as a naval base during the Second World War It was downgraded in 2002 to a naval station In 2012 a decision was made to renovate and expand the facilities back up to a full naval base to accommodate the South African Navy s offshore patrol flotilla 73 In December 2015 it was redesignated Naval Base Durban 74 Rail edit Durban featured the first operating steam railway in South Africa when the Natal Railway Company started operating a line between the Point and the city of Durban in 1860 75 Shosholoza Meyl the passenger rail service of Spoornet operates two long distance passenger rail services from Durban a daily service to and from Johannesburg via Pietermaritzburg and Newcastle and a weekly service to and from Cape Town via Kimberley and Bloemfontein These trains terminate at Durban railway station Metrorail operates a commuter rail service in Durban and the surrounding area The Metrorail network runs from Durban Station outwards as far as Stanger on the north coast Kelso on the south coast and Cato Ridge inland A high speed rail link has been proposed between Johannesburg and Durban 76 Roads edit nbsp N3 freeway on its approach to Durban s CBD with N2 N3 stack interchange in the foregroundThe city s main position as a port of entry onto the southern African continent has led to the development of national roads around it The N3 Western Freeway which links Durban with the economic hinterland of Gauteng heads west out of the city The N2 Outer Ring Road links Durban with the Eastern Cape to the south and Mpumalanga in the north The Western Freeway is particularly important because freight is shipped by truck to and from the Witwatersrand for transfer to the port The N3 Western Freeway starts in the central business district and heads west under Tollgate Bridge and through the suburbs of Sherwood and Mayville The EB Cloete Interchange which is informally nicknamed the Spaghetti Junction lies to the west of Durban and east of Westville allowing for transfer of traffic between the N2 Outer Ring Road and the Western Freeway The N2 Outer Ring Road cuts through the city from the north coast to the south coast It provides a vital link to the coastal towns such as Amanzimtoti Kingsburgh Scottburgh eMkhomazi Ballito and KwaDukuza that rely on Durban Durban also has a system of freeway and dual arterial metropolitan routes which connect the sprawling suburbs that lie to the north west and south of the city The M4 exists in two segments The northern segment named the Ruth First Highway starts as an alternative highway from the R102 in Ballito and shortly after intersects the N2 It passes through the seaside towns and villages of La Mercy and eMdloti before becoming a dual carriageway in uMhlanga north of Durban and ending at the northern edge of the CBD The southern segment of the M4 the Albert Lutuli 77 Highway starts at the southern edge of the CBD connecting through to the old decommissioned Durban International Airport where it once again reconnects at the southern end of the N2 Outer Ring Road The M7 connects the southern industrial basin of Durban with the N3 and Pinetown via Queensburgh via the N2 The M19 connects the inner northern suburbs of Durban with Pinetown via Westville and the M41 connects uMhlanga and Phoenix via Mount Edgecombe and the N2 The M13 King Cetshwayo Highway is an untolled alternative to the N3 Western Freeway which is tolled at Mariannhill and is an important commuter route linking the nearby towns and suburbs to the west of Durban such as Hillcrest Gillitts Kloof Pinetown and Westville to the city In the late 2000s 107 streets in Durban were renamed typically to honour individuals involved in the antiapartheid or international revolutionary movements with two thirds of the streets named after individuals associated with the governing African National Congress This was done in two stages a first smaller one which renamed eighteen streets and was met with some trepidation by opposition parties particularly the Democratic Alliance the Inkatha Freedom Party and the Minority Front and a second larger stage which renamed 99 streets and was met with considerably wider opposition after the controversy of the first and the minimal time between them 78 79 The first group was met with some opposition from This process was met with outrage from both opposition parties and the parts of the general public as well as incidents of vandalism against the new road signs The Democratic Alliance Inkatha Freedom Party and Minority Front were concerned with their lack of participation in the process and that the emphasis on individuals affiliated with the ANC presented a partisan image of the antiapartheid struggle Among the general public there was significant opposition from middle class white South Africans Indian South Africans and Zulu nationalists who believed that the new names should have a connection to the people and the history of the locality In response the ANC characterized the project as a transformation and part of progressive social change characterizing their opponents as being antitransformation and pro apartheid 80 81 82 Buses edit Several companies run long distance bus services from Durban to the other cities in South Africa Buses have a long history in Durban Most of them have been run by Indian owners since the early 1930s Privately owned buses which are not subsidised by the government also service the communities Buses operate in all areas of the eThekwini Municipality Since 2003 buses have been violently taken out of the routes and bus ranks by taxi operators 83 Durban was previously served by the Durban trolleybus system which first ran in 1935 84 Since 2017 the newer People Mover Bus System which runs along certain routes has been testing out free Wi Fi for passengers 85 Taxis edit Durban has two kinds of taxis metered taxis and minibus taxis Unlike in many cities metered taxis are not allowed to drive around the city to solicit fares and instead must be called and ordered to a specific location A number of companies service the Durban and surrounding regions These taxis can also be called upon for airport transfers point to point pickups and shuttles Mini bus taxis are the standard form of transport for the majority of the population who cannot afford private cars 86 87 88 With the high demand for transport by the working class of South Africa minibus taxis are often filled over their legal passenger allowance making for high casualty rates when they are involved in accidents Minibuses are generally owned and operated in fleets and inter operator violence flares up from time to time especially as turf wars over lucrative taxi routes occur 89 Ride sharing apps Uber and Taxify have been launched in Durban and are also used by commuters 90 Rickshaws edit Although rickshaws have been a mode of transportation since the early 1900s they have been displaced by other forms of motorised transport The roughly 25 remaining rickshaws mostly cater to tourists 91 Crime and safety editCompared to other South African cities Durban has a high murder rate Between April 2018 and March 2019 the Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality recorded 1 871 murders gradually increasing from 1 349 seven years earlier and down from 2 042 in 2009 92 Criminals usually avoid targeting tourists because they know that the police response will be greater 93 Heist or theft is a common crime in the city 94 Most houses are protected by high walls and wealthier residents are often able to afford greater protection such as electric fencing private security or gated communities 95 Crime rates vary widely across the city and most inner suburbs have much lower murder rates than in outlying areas of Ethekwini Police station precincts recording the lowest murder rates per 100 000 in 2017 were Durban North 7 Mayville 8 Westville 12 and Malvern 12 Kwamashu 76 and Umlazi 69 were some of the most dangerous areas 96 Other crime comparisons are less valuable due to significant under reporting especially in outlying areas There was a period of intense violence beginning in the 1990s and the Durban area recorded a murder rate of 83 per 100 000 in 1999 97 The murder rate dropped rapidly in the 2000s before increasing rapidly throughout the 2010s Durban is one of the main drug trafficking routes for drugs exiting and entering sub Saharan Africa The drug trade has increased significantly over the past 20 years 98 Education editPrivate schools edit Al Falaah College Canaan College Clifton School Crawford College La Lucia Crawford College North Coast Durban Girls College Eden College Durban Highbury Preparatory School Hillcrest Christian Academy Maris Stella School Orient Islamic School Reddam House Roseway Waldorf School St Henry s Marist Brothers College St Mary s Diocesan School for Girls Kloof Thomas More College T Thunder College Public schools edit Asoka Secondary School Brettonwood High School Durban Academy High School Durban Girls High School DGHS Danville Park Girls High School DPGHS Durban High School DHS Durban North College George Campbell School of Technology Glenwood High School Glenridge Primary School Hillcrest High School Insizwakazi Primary School Isinkontshe Primary School Isipingo Secondary School 99 Kingsway High School Kloof High School Kloof Junior Primary School Kloof Pre Primary School Kloof Senior Primary School Mowat Park High School New Forest High School Northlands Girls High School Northwood School Ogwini Comprehensive High School Pinetown Boys High School Pinetown Girls High School Port Natal High School Queensburgh Girls High School Savannah Park Secondary School Sastri College High School St Anthony Primary School Westville Boys High School Westville Girls High School Woodview Secondary school nbsp Memorial Tower Building Howard College Campus University of KwaZulu NatalUniversities and colleges edit Durban University of Technology Mangosuthu University of Technology Regent Business School University of KwaZulu Natal University of South Africa Varsity College South Africa eta CollegeTwin towns and sister cities editMain article List of twin towns and sister cities in South Africa Durban is twinned with 100 Alexandria Egypt Antwerp Flanders Belgium Bremen Germany 101 Bulawayo Zimbabwe Chicago Illinois US Gwangju South Korea Eilat Israel 102 103 Guangzhou China 104 Le Port Reunion 105 106 Kaohsiung Taiwan Leeds United Kingdom Maracaibo Venezuela Maputo Mozambique Nantes France New Orleans Louisiana US Oran Algeria Rotterdam Netherlands Mombasa KenyaNotable residents editDianne Lynne Bevelander South African academic and activist Alan Khan radio and television presenter Gordon Murray engineer and Maclaren designer Jan Hendrik S Hofmeyr biochemist born in Durban in 1953 Raoul Hyman racing driver Bruce Johnstone racing driver Aaron Klug Nobel prizewinner Brausch Niemann racing driver Jayapraga Reddy 1947 1996 writer Vivian Reddy business founder and philanthropist Jack Saul South African Israeli tennis player Billy Tennant professional flowboarder Stephen Watson racing driver Ela Gandhi peace activist grandson of Mahatma Gandhi Lara Logan journalist Pearl Thusi actress Chad Le Clos olympic swimmer Jordy Smith surfer Penelope Coelen Miss World 1958 Nick Price major winning golfer Black Coffee DJ DJ record producer and songwriter Baby Queen singer songwriter Fernando Pessoa poet writer philosopherSee also edit nbsp South Africa portalArt Deco in Durban Black December Durban International Film Festival Durban Youth Council Emmanuel Cathedral Riverside Soofie Mosque and Mausoleum World Conference against Racism 2001 held in DurbanReferences edit Robson Linda Gillian 2011 Annexure A PDF The Royal Engineers and settlement planning in the Cape Colony 1806 1872 Approach methodology and impact PhD thesis University of Pretoria pp xlv lii hdl 2263 26503 a b c d Main Place Durban Census 2011 Donal P McCracken Eileen M McCracken 1988 Annals of Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens National Botanic Gardens p 72 ISBN 9780620116480 a b Global city GDP 2014 Brookings 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at the Wayback Machine Centre on Housing Rights amp Evictions Geneva 2008 From best practice to Pariah the case of Durban South Africa by Pat Horn Street Net Archived from the original on 6 September 2007 Criminalising the Livelihoods of the Poor The impact of formalising informal trading on female and migrant traders in Durban Archived 21 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine by Blessing Karumbidza Socio Economic Rights Institute of South Africa February 2011 Life in Tin Can Town for the South Africans evicted ahead of World Cup David Smith The Guardian 1 April 2010 The dirty shame of Durban s clean up campaign of city streets The Daily Maverick 24 December 2013 Cannabis Encyclopedia strain review Durban Poison Marijuana and Cannabis News Toke of the Town 6 November 2013 Retrieved 10 December 2015 Monthly Review Struggle Is a School The Rise of a Shack Dwellers Movement in Durban South Africa 1 February 2006 The opening remarks of S bu Zikode President of the Abahlali baseMjondolo movement of South Africa at the Center for Place Culture and Politics at the CUNY Graduate Center NYC 16 November 2010 ANC Intimidates Witness X More Intimidation and More Killing in Kennedy Road 23 December 2010 Witness News24 Independent Newspapers Online 200 march against Information Bill Independent Online Shoba Sibongakonke 7 January 2009 South Africa Churches Ask Parties to Preach Tolerance via AllAfrica Witness Durban named world s greenest city ECR Retrieved 9 January 2020 Durban named greenest city in the world Daily News www iol co za Retrieved 9 January 2020 Horn Gerhard 7 May 2018 A Walk in an Ancient Forest in Umhlanga SA Country Life Retrieved 23 May 2019 permanent dead link New Germany Nature Reserve durban gov za Archived from the original on 21 September 2015 Retrieved 12 August 2015 Exploring Pigeon Valley The Natal Elm Berea Mail 26 January 2019 Retrieved 23 May 2019 Mitchell Park Durban 2019 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go with Photos TripAdvisor Retrieved 21 May 2019 The African Art Centre has a new home Berea Mail 21 November 2017 Retrieved 23 May 2019 Galleria Mall Municipal Library galleria co za Retrieved 31 December 2023 ABOUT PHANSI MUSEUM phansi com Retrieved 31 December 2023 Phansi Museum Museum Explorer SA 18 March 2023 Retrieved 31 December 2023 a b Playhouse Theatre in Durban ZA Cinema Treasures Retrieved 31 December 2023 a b The Playhouse Durban cityseeker Retrieved 31 December 2023 Playhouse details artefacts co za Retrieved 31 December 2023 home The Playhouse Company 13 July 2023 Retrieved 31 December 2023 Sarafina Mbongeni Ngema Biography PDF Open call The Playhouse Company auditions in SA Music In Africa 19 October 2023 Retrieved 31 December 2023 KZNSA Gallery The KwaZulu Natal Institute for Architecture www kznia org za Retrieved 23 May 2019 Britannica SouthAfrica britannica com US accessed on 7 July 2019 eZasegagasini Metro Gazette Archived from the original on 28 November 2009 East Coast Radio is KwaZulu Natal s leading commercial radio station ECR Durban hosts 2022 Commonwealth Games BBC Sport 2 September 2015 Retrieved 2 September 2015 Commonwealth Games 2022 Durban may drop out as host BBC 28 February 2017 Retrieved 28 February 2017 Clairwood Racecourse sold for R430 million Sporting Post 25 May 2012 Retrieved 2 September 2015 Carnie Tony 25 February 2014 R2bn Clairwood racecourse park rejected Business Report Retrieved 2 September 2015 Julio Chitunda 25 September 2020 FIBA U18 African Championships have produced some bright talents over the years FIBA Retrieved 5 December 2020 Times LIVE www timeslive co za Archived from the original on 6 December 2018 Retrieved 1 June 2017 Leon Engelbrecht Navy may upgrade Naval Station Durban defenceweb co za Helfrich Kim 9 December 2015 Minister says it s Naval Base Durban not Station defenceWeb Retrieved 9 December 2015 Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways vol 1 1859 1910 D F Holland 1971 p11 20 21 ISBN 0 7153 5382 9 Railway Gazette Ambitious plans will still need funding Archived from the original on 15 June 2011 Retrieved 19 September 2010 1 dead link 2 dead link Independent Newspapers Online 2 July 2008 New road names go up Politics IOL News Independent Online South Africa Retrieved 16 September 2011 Bainbridge James 2009 South Africa Lesotho amp Swaziland Lonely Planet p 302 ISBN 9781742203751 Retrieved 16 September 2011 Wines Michael 25 May 2007 Where the Road to Renaming Does Not Run Smooth The New York Times Retrieved 16 September 2011 Duminy James April 2014 Street Renaming Symbolic Capital and Resistance in Durban South Africa Environment and Planning D Society and Space 32 2 310 328 doi 10 1068 d2112 S2CID 143940799 Staff Reporter 3 October 2008 Durban city buses torched The M amp G Online Retrieved 17 February 2016 Allan Jackson 2003 Public Transport in Durban a brief history Facts about Durban Retrieved 8 July 2017 People Mover passengers get free wi fi Daily News www iol co za Retrieved 21 May 2019 Transport CapeTown org Archived from the original on 28 November 2011 South Africa s minibus wars uncontrollable law defying minibuses oust buses and trains from transit LookSmart Archived from the original on 3 February 2007 Transportation in Developing Countries Greenhouse Gas Scenarios of south alabama Center for Climate and Energy Solutions formerly the Pew Center on Global Climate Change Archived from the original on 23 February 2012 Retrieved 8 February 2016 Taxing Alternatives Poverty Alleviation and the South African Taxi Minibus Industry Enterprise Africa Research Publications Archived from the original on 25 August 2006 Uber Vs Taxify Which Taxi Service Is Better CompareGuru Retrieved 21 May 2019 Fiona Wayman Neville Grimmet and Angela Spencer ed Zulu Rickshaws Durban gov za Archived from the original on 19 May 2010 Retrieved 2 July 2010 Crimes by municipality or district Map on the website issafrica org Retrieved 2021 03 05 Top Durban South Africa Warnings and Dangers on VirtualTourist Virtualtourist com Retrieved 10 December 2015 Shootout on Durban highway after jewellery store heist The Mercury Retrieved 16 February 2018 Wealthy saved by alarm bells TimesLIVE Police crime statistics issafrica org City crime trends Nedbank ISS Crime Index vol 5 No 1 Issafrica org Archived from the original on 22 December 2015 Retrieved 10 December 2015 SABC SABC News Illegal drug trading on the rise in Durban Wednesday 5 March 2014 sabc co za Archived from the original on 24 September 2015 Retrieved 1 May 2015 Isipingo Secondary School IsipingoSecondary com Archived from the original on 30 March 2010 Retrieved 2 July 2010 Sister Cities Home Page Archived from the original on 10 August 2011 Retrieved 10 August 2011 Frohmader Andrea Bremen Referat 32 Stadtepartnerschaften Internationale Beziehungen Bremen Unit 32 Twinning International Relations Das Rathaus Bremen Senatskanzlei Bremen City Hall Senate Chancellery in German Archived from the original on 18 July 2011 Retrieved 9 August 2013 Sister Cities Union of Local Authorities in Israel ULAI Archived from the original on 4 October 2013 Retrieved 23 August 2012 Facts about Durban 7 September 2003 Archived from the original on 31 October 2007 Retrieved 16 December 2007 Guangzhou Sister Cities via WaybackMachine com Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office Archived from the original on 24 October 2012 Retrieved 21 July 2013 Le Port est jumele a quatre villes portuaires Archived from the original on 8 September 2015 Villes de Durban eThekwini en zulu et du Port sont jumelees depuis le 4 novembre 2005 Archived from the original on 27 September 2015 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Durban nbsp Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Durban eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality Archived 29 March 1996 at the Wayback Machine Durban Tourism Bureau Snake City National Geographic Wild Gandhi Sites in Durban Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Durban amp oldid 1192740410, wikipedia, wiki, 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