I remember Durban vaguely as a child when we lived in Africa, we visited my Aunt Violet who lived in Durban – 1971 and then again when I bought my children to Durban when we lived in Zimbabwe in 1987 – I remember my children commenting on the signs in Durban that said “for Whites Only” and the beaches were segregated – how times have changed, Durban has changed as you would expect – after doing the math it has been 28 yrs since I was last in Durban. I walked along the foreshore reminiscing when I bought the children to Durban and most of what was there is gone – much to my daughters delight as she was traumised by her mother treating the kids to a fun ride, which off course she hated and when she was on the ride she vomited over everyone – spinning vomit – well you live and learn, apart from that they did enjoy the holiday and the beach. If my mother had only shared her life I would have known the significance of Durban – it was her childhood place, but alas maybe for her she did not want to remember or share. From all accounts grandfather was a very strict man after all he was a Methodist Minister.

On my grandparents death notification it stated that they lived at 45, 6th Ave Durban which is in Morning side, so by all accounts they lived close to the city of Durban – it is really fasinating going back and tracing there footsteps. Most of the area has been rebuilt – it would be interesting to see if there are any old photos of the area – however I think I will do this via email, I dont fancy waiting in the long cues when dealing with government related issues – but I will follow this up before I leave.

  
The city its self is a bustling place and there are now many street vendors – they pay a small fee and can set up a stall – sadly the crime rate is through the roof and so is unemployment – I feel quiet unsafe walking through the city – I hid my camera and kept my bag close to me – both times I have been into Durban the taxi drivers have accompanied me and I must say I was grateful – off course there was a fee to pay but it was worth it.

Durban is also home to the largest Indian community outside India – both my taxi drivers were Indian one was 4th generation and he reported he only speaks English. I had forgoten how hilly Durban was – off course there is the Drakensberg – Durban has a fasinating history – from the Zulu, Boer and British wars – I am still confused by it all.

Apartheid my be over but you can still feel the racial tension between the different cultures – the taxi driver reports that there is approx 60% Africans, 10% Indian, 10% whites and 20% coloureds, my observation is that there is probably 5% whites, 15% Indians the rest African, I didnt see too many coloureds….but I only have a snap shot of one week I’ll have to consult Google when I get home.  The other thing that strikes me is the disparity between those that have and those that don’t – as many rich Africans there are twice as many that have none and equally I saw some young white beggers – its all very sad.

Africa is certainly a beautiful country, it has many political issues, corruption is rife and I am not sure how they will resolve their problems, however Africa will always be where my heart is – I feel at home here but could never live here again. I am grateful I live in a beautiful country which I now call home.

Go the Wallabies!!!