The City of Durban or Ethekwini, is a place of fusion. It is the largest city in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The city has an intense gusto for life.and has a diverse range of cultures Durban is the venue for one of the two semifinals of the FIFA World Cup and with its humid weather, it is bound to be a tourist hot spot during the tournament.
Durban, which is also a port city, is the busiest port in Africa. You can take a ride on a rickshaw, a distinctive Durban experience, with the drivers decorated in ornate headdresses. At the very heart of Durban is the 'golden mile', a four kilometer stretch of beaches, promenades, swimming pools and restaurants. The water is warmed by the Aghulas current and even during winter, the water temperature averages at 15°C making it ideal for year-round swimming.
UShaka Marine World is Africa's largest Marine-themed park. Within the park is one of the five largest aquariums in the world.
Durban hosted the Preliminary Draw on 25 November 2007. Durban is also a gateway to the Zulu Kingdom, where tourists can experience the intensity of Zulu culture. The city is also a good base from which to explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park has various landforms such as coral reefs, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and reed and papyrus wetlands. The Ukahlamba/Drakensberg National Park has dramatic blue mountains and the largest concentration of rock paintings south of the Sahara.
History
The history of the area extends to hundred years dating on rock art found in caves in the uKhahlamba/ Drakensberg National Park. The San lived in these mountains for four millenniums and they documented their history in rock art. This discovery has since led to the inclusion of the uKhahlamba/ Drakensberg National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage site
The Zulu nation originally migrated south from the Great Lakes region as part of the Nguni migration. They settled in the area now known as KwaZulu-Natal and many great leaders, including Shaka, have led the Zulu nation into historically revered battles.
On 25 December 1497, a Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama anchored in a natural lagoon which would become the site of present-day Durban. He thought the lagoon was a river and named it Rio de Natal (Christmas River), but it was later corrected and changed to Port Natal. Port Natal became Durban on 23 June 1835, in honour of the Cape Governor, Sir Benjamin D'Urban.
Football
Durban is home to two Premier Soccer League clubs, Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United.
The city is said to have hosted South Africa's first football league in 1882, which comprised four clubs: Pietermaritzburg County, Natal Wasps, Durban Alpha and Umgeni Stars.
Durban has produced numerous South African championship-winning sides but in recent years its teams have struggled to preserve their top flight statuses. Zulu Royals were the first winners of the National Professional Soccer League in 1971.
After the major leagues unified, Durban Bush Bucks and Manning Rangers both won the championship. Durban City and Durban United, which are now both defunct, were frequent league and cup winners in the National Football League.
Durban is the birthplace of the former Zimbabwe international goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, who, while at Liverpool, added his name to a rare list of Africans who have played for teams which won the European Cup. The city has also produced talented football players such as Sibusiso Zuma, Siyabonga Nomvete and Delron Buckley.
Five Cool things - Durban
Shaka Marine World
A visit to Durban is never complete without exploring one of its iconic sites, the uShaka Marine World. The place has been named after one of the most renowned leaders, King Shaka, who conquered many nations during his reign as a Zulu King.
The uShaka Marine World offers a variety of things including nice restaurants, shops, dolphin shows, water rides and an aquarium built into a sunken ship.
The beach
The South African winter is normally chilly and wet - but Durban is an exception. Throughout the year, Durban's weather is often warm and is rated as the best in the country. This will enable people to spend sometime basking at the magnificent beaches that parade in the shores of Durban.
Whether you are into swimming and surfing, or just catching a few rays, you'll find a beach for you; or simply explore our awesome beachfront promenade - and remember: Durban has been listed as one of the world's top 10 family beach holiday destinations in the latest edition of Lonely Planet's Travel With Children.
Pavement cafés and nightlife
Durbanites love having a good time - and when you made a detour to the city, you better do what the locals do. And, you will be spoiled with variety of choices. The Florida Road, Davenport or Swapo Avenue, Durban's entertainment zones are lined with high quality restaurants that offer something for everyone - and where you'll find out what the words "lekker" and "jol" really mean!
Beachfront Fan Park
If the World Cup is about people, then the Fan Fests around the country are set to provide the necessary spark needed to inject more blood into the tournament. There is something that gives Durban fan-park an iconic and legendary status. Situated in the beachfront, it will be a melting point for diverse nationality and cultures during the World Cup.
Catch the World Cup action on the big screen, surrounded by thousands of other fans in an unforgettable rock concert atmosphere.
Durban's Amanzimtoti
Durban's Amanzimtoti (loosely translated to "sweet waters" in Zulu) is one of the places that makes Durban special - and a visit to the place will reveal just why it is a must to see this place. Amanzimtoti is situated to the south of the centre of Durban. It is a popular KwaZulu-Natal or Zulu Kingdom seaside destination for the family and is an important element of the greater Durban Metropolitan area of Ethekwini.
The area offers hotels, resort complexes, self-catering establishments and caravan parks - all along the beach. Named the Place of Whales, the broad Mkomazi River's southern bank is crowned by the spectacularly sited town of Umkomaas.
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