History

There is no certainty as to when humans first occupied the area prior to the first visits of Europeans in the 15th century. The earliest known remnants in the region were found at Peers cave in Fish Hoek and date to between 15,000 and 12,000 years ago. Little is known of the history of the region's first residents, since there is no written history from the area before it was first mentioned by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias in 1486. Vasco da Gamarecorded a sighting of the Cape of Good Hope in 1497, and the area did not have regular contact with Europeans until 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck and other employees of the Dutch East India Company (Dutch: Verenigde Oost-indische Compagnie, VOC) were sent to the Cape to establish a way-station for ships traveling to the Dutch East Indies, and the Fort de Goede Hoop (later replaced by the Castle of Good Hope). The city grew slowly during this period, as it was hard to find adequate labour. This labour shortage prompted the city to import slaves from Indonesia and Madagascar. Many of these became ancestors of the first Cape Coloured communities.
During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, the Netherlands was repeatedly occupied by France, and Great Britain moved to take control of Dutch colonies. Britain captured Cape Town in 1795, but the Cape was returned to the Netherlands by treaty in 1803. British forces occupied the Cape again in 1806 following the battle of Bloubergstrand. In the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814, Cape Town was permanently ceded to Britain. It became the capital of the newly formed Cape Colony, whose territory expanded very substantially through the 1800s.
The discovery of diamonds in Griqualand West in 1867, and the Witwatersrand Gold Rush in 1886, prompted a flood of immigrants to South Africa. Conflicts between the Boer republics in the interior and the British colonial government resulted in the Second Boer War of 1899?1902, which Britain won. In 1910, Britain established the Union of South Africa, which unified the Cape Colony with the two defeated Boer Republics and the British colony of Natal. Cape Town became the legislative capital of the Union, and later of the Republic of South Africa.
In the 1948 national elections, the National Party won on a platform of apartheid (racial segregation) under the slogan of "swart gevaar". This led to the Group Areas Act, which classified all areas according to race. Formerly multi-racial suburbs of Cape Town were either purged of unlawful residents or demolished. The most infamous example of this in Cape Town was District Six. After it was declared a whites-only region in 1965, all housing there was demolished and over 60,000 residents were forcibly removed. Many of these residents were relocated to the Cape Flats and Lavender Hill. Under apartheid, the Cape was considered a "Coloured labour preference area", to the exclusion of "Bantus", i.e. blacks.
Cape Town was home to many leaders of the anti-apartheid movement. On Robben Island, a former penitentiary island 10-kilometre from the city, many famous political prisoners were held for years. In one of the most famous moments marking the end of apartheid, Nelson Mandela made his first public speech in decades on 11 February 1990 from the balcony of Cape Town City Hall hours after being released. His speech heralded the beginning of a new era for the country, and the first election was held four years later, on 27 April 1994. Nobel Square in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront features statues of South Africa's four Nobel Peace Prize winners ? Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela. Since 1994, the city has struggled with problems such as HIVAIDS, tuberculosis, a surge in violent drug-related crime and more recent xenophobic violence. At the same time, the economy has surged to unprecedented levels due to the boom in the tourism and the real estate industries.

Durban Country Name

South Africa

Population

As per 2007 total population of Durban South Africa was 3,468,086.

Durban Currency Name

Rand

Places to Visit and Things To Do in Durban

Take a rickshaw ride along the beachfront

There are only about twenty registered ricksha-pullers in Durban. They are noted for their magnificent head-dresses resplendent with beads and other decorations. A great way to get around and feel like a real tourist. This fleet of 'tuk-tuk' type three-wheelers has augmented public transport in the city and is a wonderful way to see the "Golden Mile", the 6 kilometres of Durban Beachfront.

Sharks Board visit

The Sharks Board welcomes and encourages visitors to its complex in Umghlanga Rocks where they can view a 25 minute audio visual presentation on the day to day work done by the Sharks Board as well as the important role sharks and other animals play in the marine ecosystem. This is followed by a 20 minute dissection of a shark.

Durban Natural Science Museum

Visit the Durban Natural Science Museum - Hosts a number of informative and educational displays of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. The museum also has an Egyptian mummy. It will provide hours of entertainment for children and adults alike. There is also a coffee shop in the museum. 1st Floor, City Hall, Smith Street, Durban.

Visit the Juma Musjid

The twin minarets of the Juma Musjid are a striking feature of Grey Street. It is the largest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere, with a floor area of 975 square meters, & the capacity to take an assembly of 4500 worshippers. The mosque is located on the corner of Grey & Queen Street.

Visit the Fitzsimons Snake Park

Home to South African and exotic species. Snake feeding on weekends after every venomous snake demonstrations daily.

Visit the Old Fort on Fort Road

The original fort was constructed of mud in 1842 by troops under Captain Thomas Smith. The garrison was besieged for 34 days by the Boers, resulting in the famous ride to Graham?s town by Dick King and Ndongeni Ka Xoki. In 1858 the facilities were expanded to include an armory and barracks, and troops remained in occupation until the end of the century.

Visit the Addington Hospital Centenary Museum

The Museum has a wide range of exhibits relating to medicine and nursing history.

Paradise Valley Nature Reserve

The Paradise Valley waterfall is one of the most beautiful spots in the Durban district. There are several good walks, one of which runs alongside the river to the waterfall. Picnic sites, public toilets, braai facilities, a car park and visitors centre are all available.

Hazlemere Dam

Enjoy a day of swimming and braaing in the sun at Hazlemere Dam.

Phezulu Safari Park (Bothas Hill)

A replica of a typical Zulu village with beehive shaped huts. Here a visitor can gain insight into the lifestyle of the Zulu's and see their living quarters and utensils. A typical Zulu dance is performed at the arena for visitors. A traditional lunch is also available.

Bergtheil Museum

This 19th century farmhouse, a national monument, contains an interesting collection of photographs, documents and artifacts relating to the 1848 German settlers.

Walk the Golden Mile or Golden 6km

It?s a popular self guided walking tour that received its name from the Portuguese explorers who referred to the sea sand along the coast in this area as the ?Sands of Gold?. This walking tour normally commences at Natal Command, which is located at the corner of Argyle & Snell Parade.

Tomb of Padsha Pir, one of two Islamic saints who lived in Durban

He was especially known for his good works and the regeneration of Islamic principles amongst the Indian community.

Maritime Museum

Maritime Museum Built on a small tugboat, in Durban s small craft harbour. The museum has several old ships on display including a World War 11 minesweeper (SAS Durban), a steam tug (the I.R. Moore) and a pilot boat (the Ulundi).

Mitchell Park Zoo

A year round display of bold and contrasting colours surrounds the main walk from the tea garden to the entrance. An extensive collection of exotic birds, tropical fish, small animals and reptiles are housed in a pleasing setting.

Fort Victoria

The very sparse remains of Fort Victoria can be found on Camper down Road on the Point. Built in 1839 to protect a British occupation, it was captured by the Boers on 26 May 1842. The siege of the Old Fort and Dick King?s historic ride are part of the story.

Visit King Goodwill Zwelethinis homestead at Umbelebeleni

The current king is a direct descendant of Shaka and combines a western sophistication with a revival in Zulu culture and traditions. He was born on 27th July, 1948 and has lived through and ruled over his people during the darkest days of oppression and Apartheid. He has now become the first Zulu King to serve Zulus in a free, democratic, non-racial South African society headed by a Black Government. The praise names of the King are called out early in the morning.

Occasions and Festivals in Durban

Royal Reed Dance Festival

The royal reed dance festival in Zululand illustrates the proud heritage of the Zulu nation and plays a huge part in the unification of the nation?s people and the king. To ensure ritual purity, only virgin girls are permitted to partake in the ceremony. There are many myths surrounding the festival, one is that if a girl is not pure her reed will break when presenting it to the King, publicly disgracing her and her community.

Dusi Canoe Marathon

Durban is the finishing point for one of the world's toughest canoe races, held at the end of January. The racing canoeists set off from Camps Drift.

Prickly Pear Festival

Held in Nelson Mandela Bay each February, this exciting event is a celebration of traditional South African food and drink.

Sasol Scifest

Mid-March, held in Grahams town, this National Festival of Science, Engineering and Technology features dozens of workshops, science shows, competitions and exhibitions.

Baba Indaba

South Africa's top baby show, with plenty to entertain the whole family

Wild Talk Africa

Film festival and conference held in April at the ICC Durban (International Convention Centre)

The Sardine Run

A chance to witness the spectacular annual migration of vast shoals of sardines, as well as their 'followers', including dolphins, sharks and whales. The phenomenon can happen anytime from the end of May to the beginning of July.

Comrades Marathon

This famous ultra-marathon race alternates starting in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. From the city, the race is uphill, while from Pietermaritzburg, it's downhill all the way!

Durban Fashion Show

This is an international showcase for South African fashion designers where established couturiers feature alongside leading new talent.

Uprising Festival

In Wavehouse, this festival features a diverse mix of Durban bands.

Women's Art Festival

Held at The Playhouse theatre, this is an important date on the city's cultural calendar.

Vodacom Durban July

Over 50,000 people gather at Grayville in the city, to see and be seen at this prestigious day in the South African horse racing calendar.

Durban International Film Festival

Held from the end of July to beginning of August. The popular event features international and South African films, documentaries and short films.

Waves capes

A surf film festival that sits alongside the city's International Film Festival. Waves capes opens with a special outdoor screening.

Good Food and Wine Show

The popular Good Food and Wine Show format every August showcases chefs at work, culinary delights and plenty to keep wine connoisseurs entertained.

Witness Hilton Arts Festival

Held in mid-September in the Hilton College Theatre. Visitors can enjoy a plethora of music, dance, and theatre performance and art events during this two-day spectacle.

Glenwood Festival

A host of events are staged as part of the Celebrate Durban Campaign.

Mont-aux-Sources Challenge

Runners take on the challenge of this long distance cross-country race, starting and finishing in the Royal Natal National Park and taking in the heady heights of the Sentinel.

Poetry Africa Festival

Held at the beginning of October, around 30 poets come to Durban to celebrate their art in this annual poetry festival. Readings, performance poetry and book launches abound.

Homemakers Expo

Held in the Durban Exhibition Centre, the expo is perfect for anyone interested in home improvements and the latest interior design trends.

Pick 'n Pay Asishove Race

Two cycling events which are held at Giba Gorge, just outside the Hillcrest area of the city.

Nottingham Road Pink Festival

Two days of music, dance, theatre, food and drink, taking place annually in November.

Carols by Candlelight

Various concerts are staged in the Durban Botanic Gardens as part of the city's festive December celebrations.

Public Holidays

Date	Month	Description
1	January	New Year?s Day
21	March	Human Right?s Day
22	April	Good Friday
25	April	Family Day / Easter Monday
27	April	Freedom Day
1	May	Worker?s Day
2	May	Public Holiday
16	June	Youth Day
9	August	Women?s Day
24	September	Heritage Day
16	December	Reconciliation Day
25	December	Christmas Day
26	December	Day of Goodwill

Food

Snoek Pate

Snoek is a fish found in the waters of the Cape area in South Africa. It has a strong flavor and is well-loved by all South Africans

Bobotie

Bobotie is a spiced mince dish that has its origins in Indonesia. It is made from minced beef but pork or lamb can also be used. It is baked like a lasagna or shepherds pie, but with a whipped milky egg mixture on top.
In 1954 it was declared the National Dish of South Africa by the United Nations Women?s Organization and today still is one of the most popular South African food recipes.

Melktert (Milk tart)

This is milk custard - the dessert has its origins in Holland and was brought over by Dutch settlers. It is a very popular South African recipe for a dessert or tea time treat.

Boerewors (pronounced "bor-eh-vors")

A traditional South African sausage spiced with coriander. Boerewors is usually mild but can be spiced up with condiments and sauces such as chutney, peri peri sauce or train smash. Boerewors is a must-have for any braai (barbeque.)

Biltong (pronounced "bill-tong")

Dried meat flavored with coriander and other spices. Unlike American jerky, biltong is sliced across the grain and can also be found in uncut portions and sticks.

Potjiekos (pronounced poy-kee-kos)

potjie is a three legged cast iron pot used to cook stews over a fire or hot coals. Potjiekos is a stew made in a potjie. There are hundreds of secret family recipes for this dish - most of them containing meat such as ox tail or beef.

Prawns Peri Peri

A.K.A. Prawns Piri Piri, A.K.A Prawns Piri Piri, Prawns Mozambique, LM Prawns. This dish is popular in coastal regions of Africa and has become a mainstay at South African restaurants and back-yard braais. Large tiger or king prawns are marinated in Peri Peri chilis. Garlic, lime juice and olive oil and grilled to perfection. The prawns are served in the traditional way, with shell, tail and head intact.

Slap Chips

These are large French fries - often served in paper bags or wrapped in paper. ?Slap? is an Afrikaans word meaning soft - the state the French fry attains when you douse it with vinegar - thus rendering it a slap chip, not a French fry.

Rice Salad

There are many variations of this popular salad, some served cold, some hot. Many contain curry, fruit such as mango or raisins, nuts and carrots.

Fresh Koeksisters & Milk Tarts

Gelatos

Durban Emergency Contact Numbers

Ambulance	10177
Fire Brigade	10177
Police	10111

Tourist Information

Mail: Private Bag X447, PRETORIA, 0001
Street: Fedsure Forum Building, 10th Floor, North Tower, 315 Pretorius Street, PRETORIA
Tel: (012) 310 3611
Fax: (012) 322 0082
E-mail: ministry@tourism.gov.za

Traveling

Air

King Shaka International Airport services both domestic and international flights, with regularly scheduled service to Dubai, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Mauritius. The airport opened in May 2010, replacing all operations from Durban International Airport, which handled four million passengers in 2005, up over 15 percent from 2004. King Shaka International Airport was constructed at La Mercy, about 36 kilometres (22 mi) north of central Durban. All operations at Durban International have been transferred to King Shaka International as of 1 May 2010; with plans for flights to Singapore, London and Australia.
The Durban International Airport was used by the South African Defence Force during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and as a secondary airport to handle overflow. The airport serves as a major gateway for travelers to KwaZulu-Natal and the Drakensberg.

Sea

Durban has a long tradition as a port city. The Port of Durban, which was 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 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. The Port of Durban is now the busiest port in South Africa, as well as the third busiest container port in the Southern Hemisphere.
The modern Port of Durban grew around trade from Johannesburg, as the industrial and mining capital of South Africa is not located on any navigable body of water. Thus, products being shipped from Johannesburg outside of South Africa have to be loaded onto trucks or railways and transported to Durban. The Port of Maputo was unavailable for use until the early 1990s due to civil war and an embargo against South African products. There is now an intense rivalry between Durban and Maputo for shipping business.
Salisbury Island, now joined to the mainland and part of the Port of Durban, was formerly a full naval base until it was downgraded in 2002. It now contains a naval station and other military facilities. The future of the base, however, is uncertain, as there is increasing demand to use Salisbury Island as part of the port facilities.

Rail

Durban is well-served by railways due to its role as the largest trans-shipment point for goods from the interior of South Africa. 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 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.

Roads

The City's main position as a port of entry onto the southern African continent has led to a development of national roads around it. One such highway starts in Durban, and one passes through 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 Colette Interchange (which is informally nicknamed the Spaghetti Junction) lies to the 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 Durban International Airport and to the coastal towns (such as Scottburgh and Stanger) 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 Leo Boyd Highway, starts as an alternative highway at Ballito where it separates from the N2. It passes through the northern suburbs of Umghlanga and La-Lucia where it becomes a dual carriageway and ends at the northern edge of the CBD. The southern segment of the M4, the Albertina Sisulu Highway, starts at the southern edge of the CBD, connecting through to the Durban International Airport, where it once again reconnects with the N2 Outer Ring Road.
The M7 connects the southern industrial basin with the N3 and Pinetown via Queen?s burgh via the N2. The M19 connects the northern suburbs with Pinetown via Westville.
The M13 is an untilled alternative to the N3 Western Freeway (which is tolled at Mariannhill). It also feeds traffic through Gillitts, Kloof, and Westville. In the Westville area it is called the Jan Smuts Highway, while in the Kloof area it is named the Arthur Hopewell Highway.
A number of streets in Durban were renamed in the late 2000s to the names of figures related to the anti-apartheid struggle, persons related to liberation movements around the world (including Che Guevera, Kenneth Kaunda and SWAPO), and others associated with the governing African National Congress. A few street names were changed in the first round of renaming, followed by a larger second round. The renaming provoked incidents of vandalism, as well as protests from opposition parties and members of the public.

Buses

Remant Alton, a company which bought Durban Transport in 2003, operated scheduled bus services throughout the Durban metropolitan area. However, Remant Alton's services were suspended in March 2009 due to violent industrial action by its employees, no roadworthy vehicles and the company's poor financial position. Remant Alton is barely functional, has lost key individuals, suffered the loss of 56 buses in a fire, and had many of the remainder impounded due to no road worthiness. This has left Durban with a poorly functioning formal public transport system.
The Durban People Mover is a tourist-oriented bus service which runs every 15 minutes and consists of three routes within the central business district and along the beachfront, connecting various attractions.
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 run by Indian owners since the early 1930`s. privately owned buses who are not subsidized by the government service the communities timorously. 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. This has brought bus operations into disarray. Bus owners have bought into taxi operations using their bus permits to make a living.

Taxis

Durban has two kinds of taxis: metered taxis and minibus taxis. Unlike 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. There are a number of companies which service the Durban and surrounding regions. These taxis can also be called upon for airport transfers, point to point pick ups and shuttles.
Mini bus taxis are the standard form of transport for the majority of the population who cannot afford private cars. Although essential, these taxis are often poorly maintained, and are frequently not road-worthy. These taxis make frequent unscheduled stops to pick up passengers, which cause accidents when drivers to the rear are unable to stop in time. 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 minibuses 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.

Rickshaws

Durban is also famous for its iconic Zulu Rickshaw pullers navigating throughout the city. These colorful characters are famous for their giant, vibrant hats and costumes. Although they have been a mode of transportation since the early 1900s, they mostly cater to tourists today.