A Return to Paradise and its People - Durban

and chandling were established in Durban, along with a
dry dock.
By 1900, the town had a sewerage system, hardened
roads and water reticulation. The expansion of the railways
also had the effect of attracting people from the Transvaal,
who wished to vacation in the seaside town. This
established Durban as a major tourist destination, a
position it retains more than a century later. During the
frequent conflicts in the colony, Durban was also the
primary disembarkation point for British troops.
In 1932 a number of satellite suburbs were incorporated
into the town and in 1935 Durban was granted city status.
In the years after World War II, the history of Durban
was defined largely by the implementation of apartheid,
and the struggle for equal humanity that ensued. Today,
this legacy is most visibly evident in the existence of
extensive shack settlements throughout the region.
As the Group Areas Act got under way, the City Council
decided to build more formal communities, and large
townships were constructed to house African workers
both north and south of Durban.
In 1994 South Africa had its first democratic election,
which changed forever the tone and flavour of Durban.
In 1996 the Municipal boundaries were expanded to
become the Durban Metropolitan Region, or Durban
Metro, by including large areas to the north, south and
west of the city.
Four years later, a further expansion resulted in the
inclusive Durban Unicity. Today Durban is the third largest
city in South Africa and of vital economic importance to
the country. The city continues its role as South Africa’s
most popular tourist destination, while its complex history
has ensured a rich and diverse multicultural future.
FACTS ABOUT DURBAN is a fascinating collection of facts and
anecdotes about Durban and its history. A rich source of
information on the city, FAD includes everything from a timeline
of the city’s history to wrecks which have occurred off the coast
and the exact details of what the lights on the Millenium Tower
mean. The archival images in the previous few pages were used
with the kind permission of the author Allan Jackson, who also
curates the constantly updated FAD website (www.fad.co.za)
and writes a weekly internet column for the Sunday Tribune.
The Inanda City Guide The Inanda area, just outside of Durban, is of
great importance to the history of South Africa. Many of the events that
took place here have had global significance. It was in Inanda that the
young Mahatma Gandhi birthed his notion of satyagraha, or peaceful
resistance, and where the seeds of the African National Conference were
planted. The eThekwini Municipality has produced a series of City Guide
area maps, including one which focuses on Inanda, detailing sites of
historic importance and sacred significance. Pick up a copy of the
Woza Enanda City Guide at Tourist Junction in the centre of Durban.
13