Durban

Durban, officially the City of eThekwini, is a major coastal city in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It lies on the eastern coast along the Indian Ocean and is the site of the Port of Durban, the busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa and among the continent’s largest by throughput. The metropolitan area is among South Africa’s most populous and serves as KwaZulu-Natal’s economic hub, with logistics, manufacturing, finance, and tourism as key sectors.

Durban was founded as Port Natal in 1834 and renamed Durban in 1835 after Sir Benjamin d’Urban. It grew rapidly as a commercial harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries, attracting a diverse population including Zulu, Indian, and European communities. The Indian community, established from indentured labor in the late 19th century, has left a lasting cultural imprint on the city, especially in cuisine, markets, and religion.

Cultural and tourist highlights include the Golden Mile beachfront, uShaka Marine World, the Durban Botanic Garden, and the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The city hosts major events such as the Durban International Film Festival and has a growing arts and music scene. Educational institutions include the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Durban campus and other tertiary centers.

Transport and infrastructure revolve around the Port of Durban, King Shaka International Airport near Verulam, and extensive road and rail networks linking to Johannesburg and other centers. Durban experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, and it receives most rainfall in summer.