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| eThekweni Durban ... |
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| Although the area was originally discovered
by Vasco Da Gama in 1497, and had probably provided refuge for seafarers as early as 1685,
it wasn’t until 1824 that the settlement of Port Natal began to take shape.
Originally, the settlement was comprised of 30 people under the leadership of Francis
Flynn who used the port to trade ivory, and in 1835, the settlement was renamed Durban
after Sir Benjamin D’Urban, who was Governor of the Cape. It wasn’t until the
settlement was formally annexed in 1844, that the dense coastal vegetation made way for
buildings with broad verandas and civilised English traditions such as morning papers,
afternoon tea and weekend horse racing! |
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Sugarcane grew well in the
tropical climate, and became the region’s ‘white gold’ with large fortunes
being made by the sugar barons of the day. Thousands of indentured labourers were brought
from India to work the sugar plantations during the 19th century, and Durban now boasts
the biggest population of Indians outside of India. As a result, there is a strong Indian
influence on Durban’s architecture, cuisine and customs.
Durban is now South Africa’s second most populated city, with the 2001 census
recording 3.2 million individuals living in Durban, and is also the biggest metropolis of KwaZulu Natal. With
the original bay being one of the few natural harbours along the eastern coastline, the
Durban harbour is now the busiest port in Africa.
eThekweni Durban has grown to be a sophisticated, cosmopolitan, vibey city with great
restaurants and bars, museums, arts and crafts, theatres, beaches, marine parks, botanical
gardens and shopping. (see our list of 101 Things
to do in Durban). Durban is also an excellent starting point to explore the Kingdom of
the Zulu. The unspoilt coastline of the Transkei, the countryside of the Natal
Midlands, the game reserves of Zululand
and the mountains of the Drakensberg
are all only a few hours drive away from Durban. |
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 ACCOMMODATION GUIDE: Durban Accommodation by Town: |
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