Durban#History

{{Short description|City in South Africa}}

{{about|the city in South Africa }}

{{Use South African English|date=November 2012}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Durban

| native_name = {{native name|zu|eThekwini}}

| image_skyline = {{multiple image

|perrow = 1/2/2/1

|border = infobox

|total_width = 275

|image1 = Durban skyline.jpg

|caption1 = Durban beachfront (Golden Mile)

|image2 = Durban TownHall.jpg

|caption2 = Durban City Hall

|image3 = UShaka Marine World.JPG

|caption3 = uShaka Marine World

|image4 = ICC Durban-20140315.jpg

|caption4 = Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre

|image5 = SunCoast Casino and Entertainment World.jpg

|caption5 = Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World

|image6 = Moses Mabhida Stadion durban aerial view 1.jpg

|caption6 = Moses Mabhida Stadium

}}

| image_flag = DurbanFlag.svg

| image_shield = DurbanCoatOfArms.jpg

| pushpin_map = South Africa KwaZulu-Natal#South Africa#Africa

| coordinates = {{coord|29|53|S|31|03|E|region:ZA|display=inline,title}}

| settlement_type = City

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{flag|South Africa}}

| subdivision_type1 = Province

| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|KwaZulu-Natal}}

| subdivision_type2 = District

| subdivision_type3 = Municipality

| subdivision_name3 = eThekwini

| subdivision_type4 = Main Place

| established_title = Established

| established_date = {{start date and age|1824|8|24|df=y}}{{cite thesis |last=Robson |first=Linda Gillian |title=The Royal Engineers and settlement planning in the Cape Colony 1806–1872: Approach, methodology and impact |date=2011 |type=PhD thesis |publisher=University of Pretoria |chapter=Annexure A |chapter-url=https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/26503/05back.pdf?sequence=6&isAllowed=y#page=31 |url=https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/26503 |hdl=2263/26503 |pages=xlv–lii |access-date=13 November 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030353/https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/26503 |url-status=live }}

| named_for = Benjamin D'Urban

| government_type = Metropolitan municipality

| leader_party = ANC

| leader_title = Mayor

| leader_name = Cyril Xaba

| leader_title1 = Deputy Mayor

| leader_name1 = Zandile Myeni

| area_footnotes = {{cite web |url=http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/599054 |title=Main Place Durban |work=Census 2011 |access-date=10 December 2015 |archive-date=19 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119025354/http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/599054 |url-status=live }}{{cite book | url=https://census.statssa.gov.za/assets/documents/2022/Provinces_at_a_Glance.pdf | title=Census 2022: Provinces at a Glance | date=2023 | publisher=Statistics South Africa | pages=25, 61 | isbn=978-0-621-51559-6 | access-date=18 March 2024 | archive-date=29 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229184957/https://census.statssa.gov.za/assets/documents/2022/Provinces_at_a_Glance.pdf | url-status=live }}

| area_total_km2 = 225.91

| area_metro_km2 = 2556

| population_footnotes =

| population_total = 595061

| population_as_of = 2011

| population_density_km2 = auto

| population_metro = 4239901

| population_density_metro_km2 = auto

| population_metro_footnotes =

| population_demonym = Durbanite{{cite book|first=Donal P.|last=McCracken|author2=Eileen M. McCracken|title=Annals of Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens|year=1988|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x3gQAQAAMAAJ&q=Durbanite|publisher=National Botanic Gardens|page=72|isbn=9780620116480|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521143327/https://books.google.com/books?id=x3gQAQAAMAAJ&q=Durbanite|url-status=live}}

| demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2011)

| demographics1_footnotes =

| demographics1_title1 = Black African

| demographics1_info1 = 51.1%

| demographics1_title2 = Indian/Asian

| demographics1_info2 = 24.0%

| demographics1_title3 = White

| demographics1_info3 = 15.3%

| demographics1_title4 = Coloured

| demographics1_info4 = 8.6%

| demographics1_title5 = Other

| demographics1_info5 = 0.9%

| demographics_type2 = First languages (2011)

| demographics2_footnotes =

| demographics2_title1 = English

| demographics2_info1 = 49.8%

| demographics2_title2 = Zulu

| demographics2_info2 = 33.1%

| demographics2_title3 = Xhosa

| demographics2_info3 = 5.9%

| demographics2_title4 = Afrikaans

| demographics2_info4 = 3.6%

| demographics2_title5 = Other

| demographics2_info5 = 7.6%

| blank_name_sec2 = GDP

| blank_info_sec2 = US$ 83.9 billion{{cite web |url=http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/global-metro-monitor-3 |title=Global city GDP 2014 |publisher=Brookings Institution |access-date=18 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605135349/http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/global-metro-monitor-3 |archive-date=5 June 2013}}

| blank1_name_sec2 = GDP per capita

| blank1_info_sec2 = US$ 16,575

| timezone1 = SAST

| utc_offset1 = +2

| postal_code_type = Postal code (street)

| postal_code = 4001{{cite web | url=https://www.postoffice.co.za/Questions/postalcodes.xlsx | title=Domestic postal code list | website=Post Office South Africa | access-date=29 May 2024}}

| postal2_code_type = PO box

| postal2_code = 4000

| area_code_type = Area code

| area_code = 031

| website =

| population_rank = {{UBL| 17th in Africa | 3rd in South Africa }}

}}

Durban ({{IPAc-en|'|d|ɜːr|b|ə|n}} {{respell|DUR|bən}}; {{langx|zu|eThekwini}}, from {{lang|zu|itheku}} meaning "bay, lagoon"){{efn | Also called {{langx|zu|eZibubulungwini|label=none}} for the mountain range that terminates in the area. In an 1859 Zulu grammar book, Bishop Colenso asserted that the root word iTeku means "bay of the sea", from the name Mtheku, used by the Thabethe tribes clan, who were the leaders of the Nguni people. Furthermore the original local inhabitants and noted that the locative form, eTekwini, was used as a proper name for Durban. An 1895 English-Zulu dictionary translates the base word iteku as "bay", "creek", "gulf" or "sinus", while a 1905 Zulu-English dictionary notes that eTekwini is used for Durban.}} is the third-most populous city in South Africa, after Johannesburg and Cape Town, and the largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Situated on the east coast of South Africa, on the Natal Bay of the Indian Ocean, Durban is the busiest port city in sub-Saharan Africa and was formerly named Port Natal. North of the harbour and city centre lies the mouth of the Umgeni River; the flat city centre rises to the hills of the Berea on the west; and to the south, running along the coast, is the Bluff. Durban is the seat of the larger eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, which spans an area of {{cvt|2556|km2|sqmi}} and had a population of 4.2{{nbsp}}million in 2022, making the metropolitan population one of Africa's largest on the Indian Ocean. Within the city limits, Durban's population was 595,061 in 2011. The city has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, wet summers and mild, dry winters.{{cite journal | last1=Roberts | first1=Debra | last2=O'Donoghue | first2=Sean | date=2013 | title=Urban environmental challenges and climate change action in Durban, South Africa | journal=Environment and Urbanization | volume=25 | issue=2 | pages=299–319 | doi=10.1177/0956247813500904 | doi-access=free }}

Archaeological evidence from the Drakensberg mountains suggests that the area had been inhabited by hunter-gatherers millennia ago. Later, the Nguni people occupied the region. During Christmas 1497, Vasco da Gama saw the coast and named it {{lang|pt|Natal}}, the Portuguese word for Christmas. In 1824, English traders from Cape Colony, led by Francis Farewell and Henry Fynn, established a trading post at Port Natal, and later that year, Shaka, the Zulu king, granted them land around the Bay. In 1835, the settlement was named after Sir Benjamin D'Urban, then governor of Cape Colony, and became a borough in 1854. From 1860 onwards, indentured labourers from British India arrived in Durban, as well as later passenger Indians. Natal colony, which had grown, became a province of the Union of South Africa in 1910, and Durban was granted city status in 1935.{{cite web | url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/durban-timeline-1497-1990 | title=Durban Timeline 1497-1990 | website=South African History Online | access-date=12 March 2024 | archive-date=2 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302005422/https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/durban-timeline-1497-1990 | url-status=live }}

Durban has a rich, diverse heritage, with large Zulu, Indian, White, and Coloured populations. Historically, it was a popular tourist destination domestically because of its beaches and warm climate,{{cite journal | last1=Maharaj | first1=Brij | last2=Pillay | first2=Vino | last3=Sucheran | first3=Reshma | name-list-style=and | date=2008 | title=Durban - A subtropical coastal paradise? Tourism dynamics in a post-apartheid city | url=https://journals.openedition.org/etudescaribeennes/1192?lang=en | journal=Études caribéennes | issue=9–10 | doi=10.4000/etudescaribeennes.1192 | doi-access=free | access-date=15 March 2024 | archive-date=15 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315111156/https://journals.openedition.org/etudescaribeennes/1192?lang=en | url-status=live }} but in recent years, tourism has declined.{{cite web | url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-04-durban-tourism-still-limping-following-lacklustre-holiday-season-while-kzn-overall-sees-uptick/ | title=Durban tourism still limping following lacklustre holiday season while KZN overall sees uptick | last=Sikhakhane | first=Naledi | date=4 January 2024 | website=Daily Maverick | access-date=15 March 2024 | archive-date=15 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315111157/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-04-durban-tourism-still-limping-following-lacklustre-holiday-season-while-kzn-overall-sees-uptick/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/durban-can-wave-tourism-goodbye-if-it-doesnt-get-its-act-together-fast-07fb7153-284b-46c4-8c0d-205a905d2479 | title=Durban can wave tourism goodbye if it doesn't get its act together fast | last=Dludla | first=Siphelele | date=24 September 2023 | website=Independent Online | access-date=15 March 2024 | archive-date=15 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315111156/https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/durban-can-wave-tourism-goodbye-if-it-doesnt-get-its-act-together-fast-07fb7153-284b-46c4-8c0d-205a905d2479 | url-status=live }} Some notable places are the Golden Mile beachfront, Botanic Gardens, the Art Gallery and Natural Science Museum at City Hall, the Tudor-style Playhouse Theatre, uShaka Marine World, and the International Convention Centre. In addition to various architectural styles, ranging from Victorian to contemporary, Art Deco left its stamp on many of Durban's buildings.{{cite web | url=https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/art-deco-durban | title=Art Deco Durban | last=Munro | first=Kathy | date=3 December 2019 | website=The Heritage Portal | access-date=1 April 2024 | archive-date=1 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401102849/https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/art-deco-durban | url-status=live }} As of 2018, the metro area contributed 59.9% and 9.6% to the provincial and national gross domestic product, respectively; the main sectors were finance, community services, manufacturing, trade, transport, and tourism.{{cite web | url=https://www.durban.gov.za/pages/government/about-ethekwini | title=About EThekwini | website=EThekwini Municipality | access-date=30 March 2024 | archive-date=30 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330183734/https://www.durban.gov.za/pages/government/about-ethekwini | url-status=live }} Durban was one of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, for which the Moses Mabhida Stadium was built,{{cite journal | last1=Bason | first1=Tom | last2=Cook | first2=David | last3=Anagnostopoulos | first3=Christos | name-list-style=and | date=2015 | title=Legacy in major sport events: empirical insights from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa | url=https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/34940/ | journal=Choregia | volume=11 | issue=1 | pages=44–61 | doi=10.4127/ch.2015.0096 | issn=1791-4027 | access-date=26 April 2024 | archive-date=26 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426075700/https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/34940/ | url-status=live | doi-access=free }} and is UNESCO's first City of Literature in Africa.{{cite web | url=https://www.litnet.co.za/durban-first-city-african-continent-become-unesco-world-city-literature/ | title=Durban first city on the African continent to become a Unesco World City of Literature | last1=David | first1=Darryl | last2=Meyer | first2=Naomi | date=1 November 2017 | website=LitNet | access-date=15 March 2024 | archive-date=15 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315132022/https://www.litnet.co.za/durban-first-city-african-continent-become-unesco-world-city-literature/ | url-status=live }}

History

{{For timeline}}

Archaeological evidence from the Drakensberg mountains suggests that the Durban area has been inhabited by communities of hunter-gatherers since 100,000 BP. 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 European 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 {{Lang|pt|Natal}}, meaning "Christmas" in Portuguese.{{cite book|title = A History of Southern Africa|author=Eric A. Walker|publisher=Longmans|orig-year = 1928|year = 1964|location = London|chapter = Chapter I: The discovery}}

= Abambo people =

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|date=December 2023}}

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.History of South Africa 1486 - 1691, George McCall Theal, London 1888.

= First European colonisers =

By 1822, James Saunders King, captain of the British ship {{ship||Salisbury|1818 ship|2}}, 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 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|date=December 2023}}

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, by document dated the 7th of August 1824, to “F. G. Farewell & Company entire and full possession in perpetuity” of a tract of land including "the port or harbour of Natal" and land extending {{cvt|10|mi|disp=flip}} south of the Bay, {{cvt|25|mi|disp=flip}} north of the Bay and {{cvt|100|mi|disp=flip}} inland.{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Natal|volume=19|pp=252-265, page 258 |first=Frank Richardson |last=Cana}}

Farewell took possession of this grant and raised the Union Jack with a Royal Salute, which consisted of four 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|date=December 2023}}

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.{{cite book

|title = A History of Southern Africa|author=Eric A. Walker|publisher=Longmans|orig-year = 1928|year = 1965|location = London|chapter = Chapter VII: The period of change 1823–36}} 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.{{cite web

|url= http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/discover-durban/our-durban/history/naming

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071103144254/http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/discover-durban/our-durban/history/naming|archive-date= 3 November 2007|title= The Names and the Naming of Durban|access-date=9 July 2008|author=Adrian Koopman|publisher=Natalia, the Journal of the Natal Society}}

= Republic of Natalia =

{{Main| Battle of Congella}}

The Voortrekkers established the Republic of Natalia in 1839, with its capital at Pietermaritzburg.{{Cite web |title=Project update - Republic of Natalia records {{!}} The Heritage Portal |url=https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/notice/project-update-republic-natalia-records |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=www.theheritageportal.co.za |archive-date=30 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430205045/https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/notice/project-update-republic-natalia-records |url-status=live }}

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 {{convert|600|km|abbr=on}} in fourteen days to raise reinforcements. The reinforcements arrived in Durban 20 days later; the Voortrekkers retreated, and the siege was lifted.{{cite book|title = Natal and the Zulu Country|author=T.V. Bulpin|publisher=T.V. Bulpin Publications|orig-year = 1966|year = 1977|location = Cape Town

|chapter = Chapter XII: Twilight of the Republic}}

Fierce conflict with the Zulu population led to the evacuation of Durban, and eventually the Afrikaners accepted British annexation in 1844 under military pressure.{{Cite web |title=Natal becomes part of the Union of South Africa {{!}} South African History Online |url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/natal-becomes-part-union-south-africa |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=www.sahistory.org.za |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424091651/https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/natal-becomes-part-union-south-africa |url-status=live }}

==Durban's historic regalia==

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|date=December 2023}}

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.{{cite web

|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/za-kn-dur.html

|title=Durban (South Africa) – Flags of the World

|author=Bruce Berry

|date=8 May 2006

|access-date=8 July 2010

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613221018/http://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/FLAGS/za-kn-dur.html

|archive-date=13 June 2010

}}{{cite web

|url = http://www.ngw.nl/int/zaf/d/durban.htm

|title = Durban – Civic Heraldry of South Africa

|author = Ralf Hartemink

|access-date = 8 July 2010

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101205062839/http://www.ngw.nl/int/zaf/d/durban.htm

|archive-date = 5 December 2010

|url-status = dead}}

Government

{{Further|eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality|Mayor of Durban}}With the end of apartheid, Durban was subject to restructuring of local government. Its first mayor was Sipho Ngwenya.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}{{Cite news |title=First Mayor of Durban in democratic SA Sipho Ngwenya passes on |url=https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/first-mayor-of-durban-in-democratic-sa-sipho-ngwenya-passes-on/ |work=SABC |access-date=24 April 2024 |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424091256/https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/first-mayor-of-durban-in-democratic-sa-sipho-ngwenya-passes-on/ |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.enca.com/south-africa/ancs-zandile-gumede-is-the-new-mayor-of-ethekwini|title=ANC's Zandile Gumede is the new mayor of eThekwini|access-date=7 September 2016|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019042233/https://www.enca.com/south-africa/ancs-zandile-gumede-is-the-new-mayor-of-ethekwini|url-status=dead}} On 5 September 2019 Mxolisi Kaunda was sworn in as the new mayor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/kwazulu-natal/mxolisi-kaunda-is-officially-durbans-new-mayor-31888285|title=Mxolisi Kaunda is officially Durban's new mayor|website=IOL|first=Mphathi|last=Nxumalo|date=September 5, 2019|access-date=12 September 2019|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521143340/https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/mxolisi-kaunda-is-officially-durbans-new-mayor-31888285|url-status=live}}

The name of the Durban municipal government, prior to the post-apartheid reorganisations of municipalities, was the Durban Corporation or City of Durban.[http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/government/bylaws/durban-corporation-transport-bylaws Durban Corporation Bylaws] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906142926/http://www1.durban.gov.za/durban/government/bylaws/durban-corporation-transport-bylaws |date=6 September 2015 }}eThekwini Online.

Geography

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 the fourth-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.{{Cite web |title=Census 2011: Main Place: Durban |url=https://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/599054 |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=census2011.adrianfrith.com |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307151214/https://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/599054 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Census 2001: Main Place: Durban |url=https://census2001.adrianfrith.com/place/57218 |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=census2001.adrianfrith.com |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307151214/https://census2001.adrianfrith.com/place/57218 |url-status=live }}

However, the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is an amalgamation of Durban proper and more than 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 that 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 that sometimes extends beyond eThekwini to include Scottburgh, Ballito and KwaDukuza.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} 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 =

Durban has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), with hot, humid summers and mild to warm, moderately dry winters, which are frost-free. Durban has an annual rainfall of {{convert|1009|mm|in|1}}. The average temperature in summer ranges around {{convert|24|C|F}}, while in winter the average temperature is {{convert|17|C|F}}.

{{Weather box

|location = Durban (Durban International Airport) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1961–1990)

|metric first = Y

|single line = Y

|Jan record high C = 36.2

|Feb record high C = 33.9

|Mar record high C = 34.8

|Apr record high C = 36.0

|May record high C = 33.8

|Jun record high C = 35.7

|Jul record high C = 33.8

|Aug record high C = 35.9

|Sep record high C = 36.9

|Oct record high C = 40.0

|Nov record high C = 33.5

|Dec record high C = 35.9

|year record high C = 40.0

|Jan high C = 28.0

|Feb high C = 28.6

|Mar high C = 27.9

|Apr high C = 26.1

|May high C = 24.9

|Jun high C = 23.6

|Jul high C = 22.8

|Aug high C = 23.3

|Sep high C = 23.5

|Oct high C = 24.1

|Nov high C = 25.3

|Dec high C = 26.7

|year high C =

|Jan mean C = 24.5

|Feb mean C = 25.0

|Mar mean C = 24.1

|Apr mean C = 22.0

|May mean C = 19.6

|Jun mean C = 17.4

|Jul mean C = 16.9

|Aug mean C = 18.2

|Sep mean C = 19.5

|Oct mean C = 20.4

|Nov mean C = 21.8

|Dec mean C = 23.4

|year mean C =

|Jan low C = 21.3

|Feb low C = 21.3

|Mar low C = 20.5

|Apr low C = 17.6

|May low C = 14.2

|Jun low C = 11.2

|Jul low C = 10.8

|Aug low C = 13.0

|Sep low C = 15.4

|Oct low C = 17.1

|Nov low C = 18.6

|Dec low C = 20.2

|year low C =

|Jan record low C = 14.0

|Feb record low C = 13.3

|Mar record low C = 11.6

|Apr record low C = 8.6

|May record low C = 4.9

|Jun record low C = 3.5

|Jul record low C = 2.6

|Aug record low C = 2.6

|Sep record low C = 4.5

|Oct record low C = 8.3

|Nov record low C = 10.3

|Dec record low C = 11.8

|year record low C = 2.6

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 121.6

|Feb precipitation mm = 108.2

|Mar precipitation mm = 93.3

|Apr precipitation mm = 73.1

|May precipitation mm = 46.9

|Jun precipitation mm = 29.5

|Jul precipitation mm = 58.5

|Aug precipitation mm = 31.1

|Sep precipitation mm = 70.7

|Oct precipitation mm = 105.0

|Nov precipitation mm = 117.3

|Dec precipitation mm = 120.4

|year precipitation mm =

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 9.8

|Feb precipitation days = 8.5

|Mar precipitation days = 8.1

|Apr precipitation days = 5.8

|May precipitation days = 4.0

|Jun precipitation days = 2.4

|Jul precipitation days = 2.9

|Aug precipitation days = 3.5

|Sep precipitation days = 7.2

|Oct precipitation days = 11.4

|Nov precipitation days = 11.2

|Dec precipitation days = 11.0

|year precipitation days =

|Jan humidity = 80

|Feb humidity = 80

|Mar humidity = 80

|Apr humidity = 78

|May humidity = 76

|Jun humidity = 72

|Jul humidity = 72

|Aug humidity = 75

|Sep humidity = 77

|Oct humidity = 78

|Nov humidity = 79

|Dec humidity = 79

|year humidity = 77

|Jan sun = 184.0

|Feb sun = 178.8

|Mar sun = 201.6

|Apr sun = 206.4

|May sun = 223.6

|Jun sun = 224.9

|Jul sun = 230.4

|Aug sun = 217.0

|Sep sun = 173.3

|Oct sun = 169.4

|Nov sun = 166.1

|Dec sun = 189.9

|year sun = 2365.4

|source 1 = NOAA (sun, extremes and humidity 1961–1990){{cite web

| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/UA/68588.TXT

| title = Durban/Louis Both Climate Normals 1961–1990

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = 21 November 2013

| archive-date = 21 May 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240521143309/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/UA/68588.TXT

| url-status = live

|date=August 2010

}}

|source 2 = Starlings Roost Weather{{cite web |url=http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/worldclimate/graphs.php?climate=9120&code=68588

|title= DURBAN INTNL. AIRPORT Climate: 1991–2020

|publisher=Starlings Roost Weather

|access-date= 27 December 2024}}

}}

== Climate change ==

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 ~{{convert|2.5-3|C-change|F-change}} 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 {{convert|1.7|C-change|F-change}}, and the temperature of the coldest month by {{convert|1.8|C-change|F-change}}, while the temperature of the warmest month would be {{convert|0.5|C-change|F-change}} lower.{{cite journal |last1=Bastin |first1=Jean-Francois |last2=Clark |first2=Emily |last3=Elliott |first3=Thomas |last4=Hart |first4=Simon |last5=van den Hoogen |first5=Johan |last6=Hordijk |first6=Iris |last7=Ma |first7=Haozhi |last8=Majumder |first8=Sabiha |last9=Manoli |first9=Gabriele |last10=Maschler |first10=Julia |last11=Mo |first11=Lidong |last12=Routh |first12=Devin |last13=Yu |first13=Kailiang |last14=Zohner |first14=Constantin M. |last15=Thomas W. |first15=Crowther |title=Understanding climate change from a global analysis of city analogues |journal=PLOS ONE |date=10 July 2019 |volume=14 |issue=7 |at=S2 Table. Summary statistics of the global analysis of city analogues. |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0217592 |pmid=31291249 |pmc=6619606 |bibcode=2019PLoSO..1417592B |doi-access=free }}{{cite web |url=https://crowtherlab.pageflow.io/cities-of-the-future-visualizing-climate-change-to-inspire-action |title=Cities of the future: visualizing climate change to inspire action |at=Current vs. future cities |access-date=8 January 2023 |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108082440/https://crowtherlab.pageflow.io/cities-of-the-future-visualizing-climate-change-to-inspire-action |url-status=dead }} According to Climate Action Tracker, the current warming trajectory appears consistent with {{convert|2.7|C-change|F-change}}, which closely matches RCP 4.5.{{cite web |url=https://climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-thermometer/ |title=The CAT Thermometer |access-date=8 January 2023 |archive-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414131223/https://climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-thermometer/ |url-status=live }}

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 US$65 billion under RCP 4.5 and US$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 US$137.5 billion in damages, while the additional accounting for the "low-probability, high-damage events" may increase aggregate risks to US$187 billion for the "moderate" RCP4.5, US$206 billion for RCP8.5 and US$397 billion under the high-end ice sheet instability scenario.Trisos, C.H., I.O. Adelekan, E. Totin, A. Ayanlade, J. Efitre, A. Gemeda, K. Kalaba, C. Lennard, C. Masao, Y. Mgaya, G. Ngaruiya, D. Olago, N.P. Simpson, and S. Zakieldeen 2022: [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGII_Chapter09.pdf Chapter 9: Africa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206082533/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGII_Chapter09.pdf |date=6 December 2022 }}. In [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/ Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228114918/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/ |date=28 February 2022 }} [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, US, pp. 2043–2121 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.{{cite book |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf |title=Technical Summary. In: Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |date=August 2021 |publisher=IPCC |page=TS14 |access-date=12 November 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809080054/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf |url-status=live }}

Demographics

{{Historical population

|1940|330000

|1950|463000

|1960|677000

|1970|855000

|1980|1214160

|1990|1722961

|1996|2239703

|2000|2625306

|2010|2949093

|2011|2971536

|2016|3330000

|2017|3110027

|2018|3133729

|2019|3114573

|2021|3176254

|2022|3776000

}}

[[File:Ethekwini dominant language map.svg|thumb|Geographical distribution of home languages in eThekwini metropole

{{legend-col

|{{legend|#8dd3c7|Afrikaans}}

|{{legend|#ffffb3|English}}

|{{legend|#fb8072|Xhosa}}

|{{legend|#80b1d3|Zulu}}

|{{legend|#d0d0d0|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.{{Cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Durban-largest-Indian-city-outside-India/articleshow/9328227.cms | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701174938/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-23/mumbai/29807173_1_durban-south-africa-uk | url-status=live | archive-date=1 July 2012 | title=Durban largest 'Indian' city outside India | first=Anahita | last=Mukherji | date=23 June 2011 | work=The Times of India | access-date=2011-11-30}}

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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1021&id=ethekwini-municipality |title=Metropolitan Municipality | Statistics South Africa |access-date=13 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104094830/http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1021&id=ethekwini-municipality |archive-date=4 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://census2001.adrianfrith.com/place/57218 |title=Census 2001 — Main Place "Durban" |publisher=Census2001.adrianfrith.com |access-date=2015-12-10 |archive-date=18 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918204733/http://census2001.adrianfrith.com/place/57218 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/599054 |title=Census 2011 — Main Place "Durban" |publisher=Census2011.adrianfrith.com |access-date=2015-12-10 |archive-date=19 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119025354/http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/599054 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/government/cifal/about/durban-ethekwini |title=durban.gov.za |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927115623/http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/government/cifal/about/durban-ethekwini |archive-date=27 September 2011}}

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.{{cite web |last=Skade |first=Thandi |url=http://www.destinyconnect.com/2015/05/07/durban-is-sas-fastest-growing-millionaire-city/ |title=Durban is SA's fastest-growing 'Millionaire City' | DESTINY Magazine |publisher=Destinyconnect.com |date=2015-05-07 |access-date=2015-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222093844/http://www.destinyconnect.com/2015/05/07/durban-is-sas-fastest-growing-millionaire-city/ |archive-date=22 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}

Economy

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|reason=Prior citation was accommodation website Afristay|date=April 2022}}

= Informal sector =

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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.pps.org/places/public-markets/warwick-junction/|title=Warwick Junction – Great Public Spaces|date=2015-03-13|newspaper=Great Public Spaces|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018010115/http://www.pps.org/places/public-markets/warwick-junction/|archive-date=18 October 2016|url-status=dead}}

The city's treatment of shack dwellers was criticised in a report from the United Nations linked Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions[http://www.cohre.org/sites/default/files/south_africa_-_business_as_usual_-_housing_rights_and_slum_eradication_in_durban_sept_2008_.pdf South Africa: Business as Usual – housing rights and slum eradication in Durban] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826233243/http://www.cohre.org/sites/default/files/south_africa_-_business_as_usual_-_housing_rights_and_slum_eradication_in_durban_sept_2008_.pdf |date=26 August 2013 }}, Centre on Housing Rights & Evictions, Geneva, 2008. and there has also been criticism of the city's treatment of street traders,{{Cite web|url=http://www.streetnet.org.za/english/Durban06.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906155140/http://www.streetnet.org.za/english/Durban06.htm|url-status=dead|title=From best practice to Pariah: the case of Durban, South Africa by Pat Horn, Street Net|archive-date=6 September 2007}}[http://www.seri-sa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17:research-reports&catid=9&Itemid=29 Criminalising the Livelihoods of the Poor: The impact of formalising informal trading on female and migrant traders in Durban] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321004738/http://www.seri-sa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17:research-reports&catid=9&Itemid=29 |date=21 March 2012 }} by Blessing Karumbidza, Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (February 2011). street children{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/apr/01/south-africa-world-cup-blikkiesdorp|title=Life in 'Tin Can Town' for the South Africans evicted ahead of World Cup|first=David|last=Smith|newspaper=The Guardian|date=1 April 2010|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-date=16 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416091443/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/01/south-africa-world-cup-blikkiesdorp|url-status=live}} and sex workers.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2013-12-24-the-dirty-shame-of-durbans-clean-up-campaign-of-city-streets/|title=The dirty shame of Durban's 'clean-up' campaign of city streets|website=The Daily Maverick|first=Vanessa|last=Burger|date=24 December 2013|access-date=27 December 2013|archive-date=28 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228035421/http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2013-12-24-the-dirty-shame-of-durbans-clean-up-campaign-of-city-streets/|url-status=live}} The cannabis strain called "Durban Poison" is named for the city.{{cite web |url=http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2013/11/cannabis_encyclopedia_strain_review_durban_poison.php |title=Cannabis Encyclopedia strain review: Durban Poison | Marijuana and Cannabis News |publisher=Toke of the Town |date=2013-11-06 |access-date=2015-12-10 |archive-date=2 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202084826/http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2013/11/cannabis_encyclopedia_strain_review_durban_poison.php |url-status=live }}

=Civil society=

There are a number of civil society organisations based in Durban. These include: Abahlali baseMjondolo movement,{{cite web|url=http://www.monthlyreview.org/0206pithouse.htm|title=Monthly Review - Struggle Is a School: The Rise of a Shack Dwellers' Movement in Durban, South Africa|date=1 February 2006|access-date=13 January 2011|archive-date=10 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210191444/http://www.monthlyreview.org/0206pithouse.htm|url-status=live}} the Diakonia Council of Churches, the Right2Know Campaign, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the South African Unemployed Peoples' Movement.[http://abahlali.org/node/7580 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)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305083042/http://abahlali.org/node/7580 |date=5 March 2012 }}, 16 November 2010.{{cite web|url=http://abahlali.org/node/7709|title=ANC Intimidates Witness X, More Intimidation and More Killing in Kennedy Road|website=Abahlali baseMjondolo|date=23 December 2010|access-date=8 January 2011|archive-date=19 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219162845/http://abahlali.org/node/7709/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.news24.com/witness |title=Witness |website=News24 |access-date=5 March 2021 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305092019/https://www.news24.com/witness |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/200-march-against-information-bill-1.689323|title=200 march against Information Bill|author=Independent Newspapers Online|work=Independent Online|access-date=8 January 2011|archive-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105201900/http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/200-march-against-information-bill-1.689323|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200901070039.html|title=South Africa: Churches Ask Parties to Preach Tolerance|first=Sibongakonke|last=Shoba|date=7 January 2009|via=AllAfrica|access-date=8 January 2011|archive-date=18 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018095825/http://allafrica.com/stories/200901070039.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global,_id,=25560|title=Witness|access-date=15 May 2011|archive-date=7 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707181519/https://www.citizen.co.za/witness/|url-status=live}}

Tourism and culture

{{See also| List of nature reserves in eThekwini}}

Durban has been named the greenest city in the world by Husqvarna Urban Green Space Index.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecr.co.za/news/news/durban-has-gone-green/|title=Durban named world's greenest city|website=ECR|date=December 19, 2019|access-date=2020-01-09|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219172624/https://www.ecr.co.za/news/news/durban-has-gone-green/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/kwazulu-natal/durban-named-greenest-city-in-the-world-39403941|title=Durban named greenest city in the world {{!}} Daily News|website=www.iol.co.za|language=en|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=2020-01-09|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219135115/https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/kwazulu-natal/durban-named-greenest-city-in-the-world-39403941|url-status=live}}

=Tourist destinations=

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

  • Burman Bush
  • Durban Art Gallery
  • Durban Botanic Gardens
  • Durban Natural Science Museum
  • Greyville Racecourse - home of the Durban July Handicap and Durban Country Club and golf course
  • Hawaan Forest{{Cite web|url=https://www.countrylife.co.za/adventure/walk-ancient-forest|title=A Walk in an Ancient Forest in Umhlanga|last=Horn|first=Gerhard|date=2018-05-07|website=SA Country Life|language=en-ZA|access-date=2019-05-23}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  • Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve
  • Kingsmead Cricket Ground - a major test match and one-day cricket venue.
  • Kings Park Stadium - home ground of the internationally renowned Sharks rugby team.
  • Mitchell Park Zoo{{Cite web |url=http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g312595-d480869-Reviews-Mitchell_Park-Durban_KwaZulu_Natal.html |title=Mitchell Park (Durban) - 2019 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) |website=TripAdvisor |language=en |access-date=2019-05-21 |archive-date=17 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617000335/https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g312595-d480869-Reviews-Mitchell_Park-Durban_KwaZulu_Natal.html |url-status=live }}
  • Moses Mabhida Stadium
  • New Germany Nature Reserve{{cite web| title = New Germany Nature Reserve| work = durban.gov.za| access-date = 2015-08-12| url = http://www.durban.gov.za/City_Services/ParksRecreation/pnature/Pages/NGermarny.aspx| archive-date = 21 September 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150921165928/http://www.durban.gov.za/City_Services/ParksRecreation/pnature/Pages/NGermarny.aspx| url-status = dead}}
  • Pigeon Valley Nature reserve{{Cite web|url=https://bereamail.co.za/148625/exploring-pigeon-valley-natal-elm/|title=Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Natal Elm|date=2019-01-26|website=Berea Mail|access-date=2019-05-23|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204211507/https://bereamail.co.za/148625/exploring-pigeon-valley-natal-elm/|url-status=live}}
  • Umgeni River Bird Park
  • Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve
  • uShaka Marine World

{{div col end}}

= Cultural attractions =

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.{{Cite web |url=https://bereamail.co.za/121259/the-african-art-centre-has-a-new-home/ |title=The African Art Centre has a new home |website=Berea Mail |date=21 November 2017 |access-date=2019-05-23 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128155619/https://bereamail.co.za/121259/the-african-art-centre-has-a-new-home/ |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite web | title=Galleria Mall Municipal Library | website=galleria.co.za | url=https://www.galleria.co.za/businesses/galleria-mall-municipal-library/ | access-date=31 December 2023 | archive-date=31 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231004928/https://www.galleria.co.za/businesses/galleria-mall-municipal-library/ | url-status=live }}

{{anchor|phansi}}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.{{cite web | title=ABOUT – PHANSI MUSEUM | website=phansi.com | url=https://phansi.com/about/ | access-date=31 December 2023 | archive-date=31 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231010045/https://phansi.com/about/ | url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web | title=Phansi Museum | website=Museum Explorer SA | date=18 March 2023 | url=https://museumexplorer.co.za/phansi-museum/ | access-date=31 December 2023 | archive-date=31 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231010219/https://museumexplorer.co.za/phansi-museum/ | url-status=live }}

{{anchor|playhouse}}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. After being taken over by the Performing Arts Council in the 1980s,{{cite web | title=The Playhouse, Durban | website=cityseeker | url=https://cityseeker.com/durban/214517-the-playhouse | access-date=31 December 2023 | archive-date=31 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231013738/https://cityseeker.com/durban/214517-the-playhouse | url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web | title=Playhouse Theatre in Durban, ZA | website=Cinema Treasures | url=https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/12685 | access-date=31 December 2023 | archive-date=31 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231013738/https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/12685 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=Playhouse details | website=artefacts.co.za | url=https://artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes_mob.php?bldgid=3502 | access-date=31 December 2023 | archive-date=31 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231012724/https://artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes_mob.php?bldgid=3502 | url-status=live }} home to the Playhouse Theatre Company.{{cite web| title=home| website=The Playhouse Company| date=13 July 2023| url=https://playhousecompany.com/| access-date=31 December 2023| archive-date=31 December 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231013740/https://playhousecompany.com/| url-status=live}} 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. The Playhouse has been a venue for staging the work of many famous South African playwrights, including Mbongeni Ngema,{{cite web|url=https://www.sarafina.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Sarafina_presskit_2023.pdf|title=Sarafina: Mbongeni Ngema: Biography|access-date=31 December 2023|archive-date=29 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229224850/https://www.sarafina.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Sarafina_presskit_2023.pdf|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web | title=Open call: The Playhouse Company auditions in SA | website=Music In Africa | date=19 October 2023 | url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/open-call-playhouse-company-auditions-sa | access-date=31 December 2023 | archive-date=31 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231014244/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/open-call-playhouse-company-auditions-sa | url-status=live }}

Other significant cultural attractions include:

  • Durban Art Gallery
  • KZNSA - KwaZulu Natal Society of Arts{{Cite web|url=https://www.kznia.org.za/durban-city-guide/late-modern/kznsa-gallery|title=KZNSA Gallery {{!}} The KwaZulu-Natal Institute for Architecture|website=www.kznia.org.za|access-date=2019-05-23|archive-date=30 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730044716/https://www.kznia.org.za/durban-city-guide/late-modern/kznsa-gallery|url-status=live}}

= Places of worship =

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).Britannica, [https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa SouthAfrica] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012085437/https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa |date=12 October 2023 }}, britannica.com, US, accessed on 7 July 2019.

There are also mosques and Hindu temples.

= Architecture =

From its earlier years to the present, many layers have added to Durban's architectural heritage: Victorian, Edwardian, Islamic, Hindu, modernist, and contemporary.{{cite web | url=https://www.kznia.org.za/buildings-architecture-city-guide-durban-kzn-kwazulu-natal | title=Durban Buildings & Architecture: City Guide | website=SAIA KwaZulu-Natal | access-date=6 April 2024 | archive-date=6 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406105035/https://www.kznia.org.za/buildings-architecture-city-guide-durban-kzn-kwazulu-natal | url-status=live }} Additionally, and in contrast to the classical styles then prevalent, Art Deco found expression in many of Durban's buildings in the 20th century, varying in manner from area to area.{{cite journal | date=2003 | editor1-last=Peters | editor1-first=Walter | title=Durban's Art Deco Architecture | url=https://www.kznia-journal.org.za/sites/default/files/KZNIA%201-2003%20E.PDF | journal=Journal of the KwaZulu-Natal Institute for Architecture | volume=28 | issue=1 | issn=0379-9301 | access-date=8 April 2024 | archive-date=16 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216141110/https://www.kznia-journal.org.za/sites/default/files/KZNIA%201-2003%20E.PDF | url-status=live }}

Media

File:DurbanHarbor.jpg

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/government/media/gazette|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128134559/http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/government/media/gazette|url-status=dead|title=eZasegagasini Metro Gazette|archive-date=28 November 2009}}

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 more than 6.67 million, making it the second largest radio station in the world.{{fact|date=March 2025}} 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,{{cite web|url=http://www.ecr.co.za/|title=East Coast Radio is KwaZulu-Natal's leading commercial radio station.|website=ECR|access-date=17 April 2007|archive-date=25 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070425225721/http://www.ecr.co.za/|url-status=live}} 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

File:Kingsmead2009.jpg, Durban in 2009]]

File:Mm stadium.jpg in Durban]]

Durban was initially successful in its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games,{{cite web | title = Durban hosts 2022 Commonwealth Games | work = BBC Sport | date = 2 September 2015 | access-date = 2015-09-02 | url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/commonwealth-games/34125467 | archive-date = 18 October 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151018051634/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/commonwealth-games/34125467 | url-status = live }} but had to withdraw in March 2017 from the role of hosts when the government withdrew its subsidy due to financial constraints.{{cite news|title=Commonwealth Games 2022: Durban 'may drop out as host'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-39116534|access-date=28 February 2017|publisher=BBC|date=28 February 2017|archive-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228144723/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-39116534|url-status=live}} Birmingham, England replaced Durban as the host city.

Durban is home to The Sharks rugby union team, who compete in the international United Rugby Championship and Heineken Champions Cup competitions. The Sharks also compete in the Currie Cup. Their home ground is the 54,000 capacity Kings Park Stadium, sometimes referred to as the Shark Tank.

The city has two soccer clubs in the PremiershipAmaZulu, and Golden Arrows. AmaZulu play most of their home games at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Durban is also home to two National First Division teams; Durban City and Milford.

File:Transport des supporters à Durban.jpg]]

Durban is host to the KwaZulu-Natal cricket team, who play as the Dolphins when competing in the Sunfoil Series, as well as Durban's Super Giants, who play in the SA20. Games are 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 that 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.{{cite web | title =Clairwood Sale Advances {{!}} Clairwood Racecourse sold for R430 million | work = Sporting Post | date = 25 May 2012 | access-date = 2015-09-02 | url = http://www.sportingpost.co.za/2012/05/clairwood-racecourse/ | archive-date = 19 September 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150919083830/http://www.sportingpost.co.za/2012/05/clairwood-racecourse/ | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | title = R2bn Clairwood racecourse park rejected | last = Carnie | first = Tony | work = Business Report | date = 25 February 2014 | access-date = 2015-09-02 | url = http://www.iol.co.za/business/news/r2bn-clairwood-racecourse-park-rejected-1.1652574#.VebxjfR-5ek | archive-date = 19 September 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150919101635/http://www.iol.co.za/business/news/r2bn-clairwood-racecourse-park-rejected-1.1652574#.VebxjfR-5ek | url-status = live }}

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.{{cite news |author1=Julio Chitunda |title=FIBA U18 African Championships have produced some bright talents over the years |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/news/fiba-u18-african-championships-have-produced-some-bright-talents-over-the-years |access-date=5 December 2020 |work=FIBA |date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026021649/http://www.fiba.basketball/news/fiba-u18-african-championships-have-produced-some-bright-talents-over-the-years |url-status=live }}

Transport

= Air =

{{Main|List of airports in the Durban area}}

File:KSIA-Departures.jpg ]]

King Shaka International Airport services both domestic and international flights, with regularly scheduled services to Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Harare, Manzini & Gaborone as well as eight domestic destinations. 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 {{convert|36|km|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 =

File:Durban harbor.jpg

Durban has a long tradition as a port city. The Port of Durban, formerly known as Port Natal, is one of the few natural harbours between Port Elizabeth and Maputo, and is also located at the beginning of a particular{{clarify|date=June 2021}} weather phenomenon that 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article2650355.ece|title=Times LIVE|website=www.timeslive.co.za|access-date=1 June 2017|archive-date=6 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206173410/https://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article2650355.ece/|url-status=dead}}

File:NELSON MANDELA Cruise Terminal.jpg

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23908:navy-may-upgrade-naval-station-durban-&catid=108:maritime-security&Itemid=233|title=Navy may upgrade Naval Station Durban|author=Leon Engelbrecht|work=defenceweb.co.za|access-date=2 October 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006110532/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23908:navy-may-upgrade-naval-station-durban-&catid=108:maritime-security&Itemid=233|url-status=live}} In December 2015 it was redesignated Naval Base Durban.{{cite news |first=Kim |last=Helfrich |url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41760:minister-says-its-naval-base-durban-not-station&catid=111:sa-defence&Itemid=242 |title=Minister says it's Naval Base Durban, not Station |publisher=defenceWeb |date=2015-12-09 |access-date=2015-12-09 |archive-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211062421/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41760:minister-says-its-naval-base-durban-not-station&catid=111:sa-defence&Itemid=242 |url-status=live }}

= Rail =

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.Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways, vol 1: 1859–1910, (D.F. Holland, 1971), p11, 20–21, {{ISBN|0-7153-5382-9}}

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 KwaDukuza on the North Coast, Kelso on the South Coast, and Cato Ridge inland.

A high-speed rail link has been proposed; this link would Johannesburg and Durban.{{cite web

|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/ambitious-plans-will-still-need-funding/browse/3.html

|access-date=19 September 2010

|title=Railway Gazette: Ambitious plans will still need funding

|archive-date=15 June 2011

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615134927/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/ambitious-plans-will-still-need-funding/browse/3.html

|url-status=dead

}}

= Roads =

File:DurbanN3-aerial.jpg 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 eManzimtoti, 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 and Leo Boyd 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 Inkosi Albert Lutuli Highway,[http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/services/services_news/red-tar-for-southern-freeway]{{dead link|date=March 2013}} 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. They were typically renamed to honour individuals involved in the anti-apartheid 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.[http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/government/renaming/Final%20Listt-%20Street%20Naming2.xls]{{dead link|date=September 2011}}{{cite web |author=Independent Newspapers Online |url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/new-road-names-go-up-1.406687 |title=New road names go up – Politics | IOL News |work=Independent Online |location=South Africa |date=2 July 2008 |access-date=2011-09-16 |archive-date=11 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811112609/http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/new-road-names-go-up-1.406687 |url-status=live }} 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 anti-apartheid 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".{{cite book |first=James |last=Bainbridge |year=2009 |url=https://archive.org/details/southafricalesot0000bain |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/southafricalesot0000bain/page/302 302] |title=South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland |publisher=Lonely Planet |access-date=2011-09-16|isbn=9781742203751 }}{{cite news |last=Wines |first=Michael |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/25/world/africa/25durban.html |title=Where the Road to Renaming Does Not Run Smooth |work=The New York Times |date=25 May 2007 |access-date=2011-09-16 |archive-date=16 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416052505/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/25/world/africa/25durban.html?_r=1&oref=slogin |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |last1=Duminy |first1=James |title=Street Renaming, Symbolic Capital, and Resistance in Durban, South Africa |journal=Environment and Planning D: Society and Space |date=April 2014 |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=310–328 |doi=10.1068/d2112 |s2cid=143940799 }}

= Buses =

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 that 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.{{Cite web|title = Durban city buses torched|url = http://mg.co.za/article/2008-10-03-durban-city-buses-torched|website = The M&G Online|access-date = 2016-02-17|author = Staff Reporter|date = 3 October 2008|archive-date = 25 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160225104330/http://mg.co.za/article/2008-10-03-durban-city-buses-torched|url-status = live}}

Durban was previously served by the Durban trolleybus system, which ran from 1935 until 1968.{{Cite web | url = http://www.fad.co.za/Resources/transport/transport.htm | title = Public Transport in Durban - a brief history | publisher = Facts about Durban | last = Allan Jackson | date = 2003 | access-date = 8 July 2017 | archive-date = 30 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200730063203/http://www.fad.co.za/Resources/transport/transport.htm | url-status = live }}

Since 2017, the newer Durban People Mover Bus System that runs along certain routes has been testing out free Wi-Fi for passengers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/people-mover-passengers-get-free-wi-fi-11135485|title=People Mover passengers get free wi-fi {{!}} Daily News|website=www.iol.co.za|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21|archive-date=30 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730083650/https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/people-mover-passengers-get-free-wi-fi-11135485|url-status=live}}

= Taxis =

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.cape-town.org/directory.asp?McatId=8 |publisher=CapeTown.org |title=Transport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128184051/http://www.cape-town.org/directory.asp?McatId=8 |archive-date=28 November 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_go1566/is_200209/ai_n7215423|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203204842/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_go1566/is_200209/ai_n7215423|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-02-03|title=South Africa's minibus wars: uncontrollable law-defying minibuses oust buses and trains from transit|publisher=LookSmart}}{{cite web|url=http://www.c2es.org/global-warming-in-depth/all_reports/transportation_in_south_africa/trans_sa_execsumm.cfm|title=Transportation in Developing Countries: Greenhouse Gas Scenarios of south alabama|publisher=Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, formerly the Pew Center on Global Climate Change|access-date=8 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223234303/http://www.c2es.org/global-warming-in-depth/all_reports/transportation_in_south_africa/trans_sa_execsumm.cfm|archive-date=23 February 2012|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.aworldconnected.org/article.php/1341.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060825221354/http://www.aworldconnected.org/article.php/1341.html|archive-date=25 August 2006|title=Taxing Alternatives: Poverty Alleviation and the South African Taxi/Minibus Industry|publisher=Enterprise Africa! Research Publications}}

Ride sharing apps Uber and Taxify have been launched in Durban and are also used by commuters.{{Cite web|url=https://compareguru.co.za/news/uber-taxify-taxi-service-better/|title=Uber Vs Taxify: Which Taxi Service Is Better?|website=CompareGuru|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21|archive-date=23 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023165200/https://compareguru.co.za/news/uber-taxify-taxi-service-better/|url-status=live}}

= Rickshaws =

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.{{cite web|editor=Fiona Wayman, Neville Grimmet and Angela Spencer |url=http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/discover/history/our-town/rickshaws |title=Zulu Rickshaws |publisher=Durban.gov.za |access-date=2 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519145024/http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/discover/history/our-town/rickshaws |archive-date=19 May 2010}}

Crime and safety

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.[https://issafrica.org/crimehub/maps/municipal-districts Crimes by municipality or district] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128091727/https://issafrica.org/crimehub/maps/municipal-districts |date=28 November 2019 }}. Map on the website issafrica.org. Retrieved 2021-03-05.

Heist or theft is a common crime in the city.{{Cite news|url=https://www.iol.co.za/mercury/news/shootout-on-durban-highway-after-jewellery-store-heist-13228228|title=Shootout on Durban highway after jewellery store heist {{!}} The Mercury|first=Khumbuzile|last=Mbuqe|work=IOL|date=11 February 2018|access-date=2018-02-16|language=en|archive-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216204802/https://www.iol.co.za/mercury/news/shootout-on-durban-highway-after-jewellery-store-heist-13228228|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2017-10-26-wealthy-saved--by-alarm-bells/|title=Wealthy saved by alarm bells|website=TimesLIVE|date=26 October 2017|first=Graee|last=Hosken|access-date=20 November 2018|archive-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221402/https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2017-10-26-wealthy-saved--by-alarm-bells/|url-status=live}} 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); while some of the most dangerous areas were Kwamashu (76) and Umlazi (69).{{Cite web|url=https://issafrica.org/crimehub/maps/police-stations|title=Police crime statistics|website=issafrica.org|access-date=20 November 2018|archive-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221132/https://issafrica.org/crimehub/maps/police-stations|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.issafrica.org/pubs/CrimeIndex/01Vol5No1/City.html |title=City crime trends – Nedbank ISS Crime Index vol 5 No 1 |publisher=Issafrica.org |access-date=2015-12-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222134426/https://www.issafrica.org/pubs/CrimeIndex/01Vol5No1/City.html |archive-date=22 December 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/3436720043269f18b87db845a23ba143/Illegal-drug-trading-on-the-rise-in-Durban-20140503|title=SABC News – Illegal drug trading on the rise in Durban:Wednesday 5 March 2014|author=SABC|work=sabc.co.za|access-date=1 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924093604/http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/3436720043269f18b87db845a23ba143/Illegal-drug-trading-on-the-rise-in-Durban-20140503|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

Education

= Private schools =

= Public schools =

= Universities and colleges =

Twin towns and sister cities

{{main|List of twin towns and sister cities in South Africa}}

Durban is twinned with:{{cite web|url=http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/government/igr/idr/sister |title=Sister Cities Home Page |access-date=2011-08-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810060743/http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/government/igr/idr/sister |archive-date=10 August 2011}}

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

  • Alexandria, Egypt
  • Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Bremen, Germany{{cite web|url=http://www.rathaus.bremen.de/sixcms/detail.php?gsid=bremen54.c.2259.de|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110718204253/http://www.rathaus.bremen.de/sixcms/detail.php?gsid=bremen54.c.2259.de|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-18|title=Bremen – Referat 32 Städtepartnerschaften / Internationale Beziehungen|trans-title=Bremen – Unit 32 Twinning / International Relations|access-date=2013-08-09|last=Frohmader|first=Andrea|work=Das Rathaus Bremen Senatskanzlei [Bremen City Hall – Senate Chancellery]|language=de}}
  • Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
  • Chicago, Illinois, US
  • Gwangju, South Korea
  • Eilat, Israel{{cite web|url=http://www.masham.org.il/English/SisterCities/Pages/default.aspx/ |title=Sister Cities |access-date=23 August 2012 |publisher=Union of Local Authorities in Israel (ULAI) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235329/http://www.masham.org.il/English/SisterCities/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=4 October 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.fad.co.za/Diary/diary007/diary007.asp |title=Facts about Durban |access-date=16 December 2007 |date=7 September 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031142402/http://www.fad.co.za/Diary/diary007/diary007.asp |archive-date=31 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}
  • Guangzhou, China{{cite web|url=http://www.gzwaishi.gov.cn/Category_121/Index.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024091437/http://www.gzwaishi.gov.cn/Category_121/Index.aspx|title=Guangzhou Sister Cities [via WaybackMachine.com]|publisher=Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office|archive-date=24 October 2012|access-date=2013-07-21}}
  • Le Port, Réunion{{Cite web|url=http://www.ville-port.re/portail/index.php?id=48|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908095756/http://www.ville-port.re/portail/index.php?id=48|url-status=dead|title=Le Port est jumelé à quatre villes portuaires|archive-date=8 September 2015}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ville-port.re/portail/index.php?id=470Les|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927055907/http://www.ville-port.re/portail/index.php?id=470Les|url-status=dead|title=Villes de Durban (eThekwini en zulu) et du Port sont jumelées depuis le 4 novembre 2005|archive-date=27 September 2015}}
  • Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • Leeds, United Kingdom
  • Maracaibo, Venezuela
  • Maputo, Mozambique
  • Nantes, France
  • New Orleans, Louisiana, US
  • Oran, Algeria
  • Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • Mombasa, Kenya

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Notable residents

See also

References

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