South Africa
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Company Registration number : 2005/026290/07
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Durban/eThekwiniDurban, with the Zulu name eThekwini,is the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal. Durban is regarded as the busiest port in Africa and is also a major centre of tourism, due to the city's warm subtropical climate and beaches. The warm Mozambique current flows down its coastline, making surfing one of the primary activities on the golden beaches. Durban is a thriving industrial centre, supporting a major seaport, and a year-round sub-tropical beach holiday destination.History: It is built around the natural harbour of Port Natal. Vasco Da Gama first landed in Port Natal on Christmas Day 1497. It provided refuge for seafarers at least as early as 1685, but the Port Natal settlement only began to evolve in 1823. It was renamed "Durban" in 23 June 1835 in honour of the Cape Governor, Sir Benjamin D'Urban as proclaimed by Captain Allen Gardiner, the newly arrived naval officer. Although the settlers maintained cordial relations with Shaka, the powerful founder of the Zulu nation to their north, matters changed for the worse when Dingaan took over. Dingaan showed open animosity and aggression, while Shaka had instructed his citizens to live in peace with the white settlers. Life in the small harbour town was very uncertain. Natal was regarded by the Zulus as their own territory and merely tolerated the white settlers, because of the usefulness the port was as a trading centre to them. For some time after the final defeat of the Zulus, there was peace, until the Voortrekkers and the British began to fight for power over Natal. The brutal conflicts were ultimately decided in favour of the British. In 1844, Natal became a part of the Cape Colony. Today Durban is South Africa's busiest port and beach resort. Most of the province of Natal is populated by the north Nguni or Zulu and Durban has a strong infusion of tribal citizens. Events:
Places to go: Durban is actually all about the beach. It is home to South Africa's only surfing museum, and is one of the most surf-friendly cities in the world. It has two yacht clubs and a great little cultural spot right in the middle of the harbour - the BAT centre. Short for the Bartle Arts Trust, the BAT Centre is a hotbed of local visual art and musical creativity mixed in with some good restaurants, coffee shops and pubs, all overlooking the small boat harbour so you can sip cappuccino while watching stubby-nosed tugs coming in to rest after a hard day pushing super tankers around. Close by is the newly built uShaka Marine World - a state of the art aquarium, wet playground and shopping mall, where children of all ages can ooh and aah at the sharks in the predator tank, snorkel with the fishies (the cute little ones, not the sharks) and watch dolphins jumping through hoops. Valley of a Thousand Hills - One of the most picturesque drives in the world is just 45km from Durban, known as the Valley of a Thousand Hills. It is in these hills that Zulu people still live in their traditional huts, the views are breathtaking - to be savoured slowly. If you spend much time at all in the sea, you should consider a visit to the Sharks Board in Umhlanga, just north of the city, where you can learn all about these fascinating creatures. There are a couple of fun river trips, abseiling, awesome climbing and small game farms not too far off and the North and South Coasts boast an almost indecent amount of championship golf courses. Durban's cultural attraction is perhaps its most appealing diversion. Durban has the largest population of Indians outside of India. There is a vibrant Eastern feel to the city, a huge spice market, decorative mosques, fantastic temples and - best of all - great Indian food. Another interesting spot to visit is Inanda, which was the birthplace of both the Shembe religion and Natal Native Congress, which later became the African National Congress. It was also where Mahatma Ghandi, who lived there at the same time these two other movements were starting, pioneered the concept of Satyagrah, or passive resistance. Durban Beachfront: South African Tourism Transport: Private taxi cars & shuttle services |
