South African Scenery and Wildlife [Archive]

HirakataShi

August 9th, 2004, 05:20 AM

This is a transformation indeed. - From the Sunday Independent

The New National Party committed political suicide on Saturday.

Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the NNP leader, threw in the towel and announced that his party had been gobbled up by the ANC. He said he was going to join the party that gave him a job in the cabinet.

In what should have been a moment of humiliation for any political party's leader, Van Schalkwyk declared: "I will personally encourage other NNP leaders and members to join the ANC.

"We will obviously have to do some convincing so those people can also join the ANC. But I must emphasise no one will be forced to join."

He said the essence of the decision was that it would be an individual choice.

Already rumbles of the party's death were audible after its meagre two percent poll in the last general election.

In the April poll the NNP returned to parliament with only seven members in the national assembly and two in the national council of provinces.

Van Schalkwyk said the recent adoption of the Freedom Charter by the NNP was a milestone in the party's quest to build a truly non-racial South Africa.
'This has got nothing to do with political principle'

He announced the party's demise under the guise of a "new agreement" between the NNP and the ANC.

This means that the NNP will no longer contest forthcoming local government elections on its own but will ride on the back of the ANC.

The merger has to be approved by the ANC national executive committee, which is due to meet soon.

Van Schalkwyk said there could be people within his party who were not ready for a merger with the ANC.

To appease those reluctant Nats, Van Schalkwyk said, NNP leaders and members would be allowed to hold membership of the ANC and the NNP. Public representatives at council level could use a window period in September to cross the floor to join the ANC.

Aubrey Matshiqi, a political analyst based in Johannesburg, said the ANC had in any event been giving the NNP political mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

"The historical irony is not lost on anyone. The NNP was the party of apartheid and the ANC was the main liberation movement against apartheid. Now the party of apartheid is being swallowed up by the party of liberation."

He said of the NNP's decision to cross over to the ANC: "It is death; Marthinus van Schalkwyk is hoping that, by not disbanding legally, the NNP will die a quiet death. In fact the Nats are dying an undignified death."

Mosiuoa Lekota, the ANC chairperson, who also attended the NNP's federal council meeting, did not gloat over his party's obvious triumph. Instead he said the two parties had been brought together by their commitment to non-racialism.

"If you look at the history of the ANC, you will see that we have always worked with other political organisations that shared our vision of non-racialism. Now that the Freedom Charter has become the foundation policy document of the NNP, we have decided to take our co-operation to another level," Lekota said.

The announcement came as no surprise to other politicians. Roelf Meyer, who left the NNP in 1997 because he found its refusal to change daunting, said the announcement "is almost a natural conclusion following their results in the last election.

"What is happening was predictable when I left. To my mind the National Party would have been able to stay on in a new format. In 1996 the National Party's withdrawal under FW de Klerk from the government of national unity was a terrible mistake."

Amichand Rajbansi, the leader of the Minority Front in KwaZulu-Natal, said the NNP would not be an asset to the ANC and could "hardly be expected to make a significant contribution to the organisation".

Bantu Holomisa, the leader of the United Democratic Front, welcomed the move and said it would strengthen relations between black and white voters who had previously voted on racial lines.

"It is good for a minority white party to collapse because, in essence, the future of political parties will be black, and this leaves a considerable challenge for the Democratic Alliance: to succeed where the Nats failed," he said.

Holomisa said he doubted whether die-hard NNP supporters would be angry as many had already deserted the party and found a home in the DA. "The move by Marthinus [Van Schalkwyk] should be welcome but my only concern is whether voters will trust parties when leaders switch allegiance shortly after elections," he said.

Helen Zille, the spokesperson for the DA, said the agreement was the final nail in the NNP's coffin and the last betrayal of their voters. "This has got nothing to do with political principle. Van Schalkwyk destroyed his party and abandoned his voters in return for a cabinet position. This agreement is the price he has to pay.

"The NNP voters will not follow him because they do not want to turn South Africa into a one-party state. The terrain is now very clear: it is the ANC versus the DA."

Retired politician Helen Suzman, always a fierce opponent of the Nats, said the announcement came as no surprise. "They [NNP leaders] are after a few more perks. They are going wherever they think they will get rewards and positions. They have no principles whatsoever," she said.

Professor Adam Habib, a political analyst at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said the rationale of the NNP was increasingly difficult for the voter to understand, whether the voter was opposed to the status quo or for it. "The NNP took a drubbing at the polls because people perceived them to be completely opportunist. Already at a conference of its Free State branch earlier this year the NNP was debating whether it should continue existing."

Political analyst Tom Lodge said opposition would come from the right-wingers within the NNP - "but I wonder how many are left. They have so few MPs anyway. What is prompting this [the merger] is probably that the career politicians in the NNP want safe ANC seats."

HirakataShi

August 9th, 2004, 05:25 AM

I disagree that its the governments place to generate jobs. The number of jobs in the private sector has gone down because of:

- Restructuring: a lot of old crappy businesses based on low paid unskilled or semi-skilled labour have died
- New businesses have grown and will continue growing, but the net-result is fewer jobs
- Once you hire someone, its very difficult to get rid of them if they are a really bad worker - discouraging new hiring
- Interest rates are lower, encouraging automation
- Lack of quality skilled labour - no one needs unskilled people who cant speak english
- Currently the rand is strong, making our productivity uncompetitive
- The quality of South African management is pretty low. Too much reliance on golf and cheap labour; and not a lot of brains and hard work

To create jobs we need more skilled labourers and tradesmen, a better work ethic, and more flexible labour markets, and the expectation of success.

I agree 100% with everything posted above. South Africa is now part of the global economy. Movements in the rand, labour laws, interest rates, and educational levels all affect business decisions and international flows of capital. South African labour laws are as dubious as Germany's, which discourages hiring (thank COSATU and the SACP for that).

The lack of skills is a legacy of apartheid. If educational opportunities had been equal for all, there would be more skilled labourers. The ANC in the meantime has botched education reform.

Bond James Bond

August 9th, 2004, 10:58 PM

Do elephants ever get pissed off and ram your jeep? :?

http://www.pbase.com/image/28029509.jpg

Bond James Bond

August 9th, 2004, 10:59 PM

^Oh yeah, and if they do, does insurance cover it? :?

Do they have elephant insurance in South Africa? :?

schmidt

August 9th, 2004, 11:19 PM

Wow u got snowy peaks there too! Now I think Brazil is the only country in the world that doesn't have snow :cry:

Anyway, the funny thing is that all the mountains over there in South Africa look like if they have had their peaks cut off. They're all so flat in the top! Like a plateau or so...

These images are incredibly beautiful, SA isn't really a huge country and they've got such a nice setting, very diverse :)

clive330

August 10th, 2004, 02:18 AM

Boom you are exactly right. Most of the interior of SA (2/3 of country) is on a great big plateau - the montains down the whole coastline follow its edge. Thats why inland cities like Joburg and Pretoria are at 1800m? and dry, really cold in winter; while at the same latitude there can be tropical jungle at sealevel on the Mozambique border. The highest peaks are just under 4km i think.

SYDNEY

August 10th, 2004, 07:33 AM

^Oh yeah, and if they do, does insurance cover it? :?

Do they have elephant insurance in South Africa? :?

It has happened but elephants usually give a warning first - by flapping their ears and stomping the ground ... they are generally very placid. Rhino's on the other hand love chasing land rovers (it has happened to me and I shat myself). You will find that the game ranger usually switches the vehicle off and asks everybody not to make sudden movements like jumping up and down etc.

I am sure that they have insurance against these "mishaps". Tourists should have their own travel insurance.

SYDNEY

August 10th, 2004, 07:36 AM

:redx:

hsark

August 10th, 2004, 07:53 PM

here some pics of snowfall in sa its been snowing quite alot for 3 years now they about to open a new ski restort in the drakensberg

http://linx.co.za/amohela/images/maluti_snow_tn.jpg
http://www.av8helicopters.co.za/gifs/audit1.jpg
http://www.lando.co.za/mcsawor/images/Hexvalley.jpg
http://www.sutherlandinfo.co.za/Images/pic_10b.jpg

any body got the table mountain snow pics?

Bond James Bond

August 11th, 2004, 12:16 AM

Rhino's on the other hand love chasing land rovers (it has happened to me and I shat myself).
Hmm, sounds like a fun adventure. :D

schmidt

August 11th, 2004, 01:31 AM

Uh, I wish Brazil had such high cities. I mean, we would have constant snow and it would be damn nice, but noooo... NO SNOW in Brazil, just in tiny areas :cry:

Neither will we EVER have a snow station, only if we conquer Argentina :D

clive330

August 11th, 2004, 01:33 AM

I am suprised - I thought Brazil had some of the Andes mountains!

Bond James Bond

August 11th, 2004, 03:38 AM

^Um, look at a map.

SA BOY

August 11th, 2004, 06:52 AM

hsark

August 11th, 2004, 04:07 PM

its on the drakensberg mountain range on the lesotho side its called afri ski and is run by a south african company

http://www.afriski.co.za/images/1AfriskiSplashMenu70-4x3.jpg
Afri-Ski is a unique lifestyle village with investment opportunities, comprehensive facilities and year round activities in the Maluti mountains in Lesotho, Southern Africa where skiing is guaranteed for 4 months per year.

The Afri-Ski concept is based on creating a self sustaining village catering for and reflecting the personality, character and lifestyle of its potential investors. The range of products, services and facilities will therefore be exclusive and environmentally sensitive to ensure a mountain magic village lifestyle.

theres also the Tiffindell ski resort which is in the southern Drakensberg
go to www.snow.co.za 4 me more on this resort

SA BOY

August 14th, 2004, 08:30 AM

wow 2 ski resorts in Southern africa. 1 in Lesotho and the other in the Eastern Cape. Soon we will have 3 here in Dubai-strange but true.

rational crazy

August 21st, 2004, 03:06 AM

I am very happy for this event in the Africa of the South. :)
The social justice is being made!

Pule

August 24th, 2004, 01:42 PM

Mandela centre

http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/aug/centre2.jpg

http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/aug/centre3.jpg

DECLARED an official heritage site, the R7-million Nelson Mandela yard interpretation centre in Alexandra - which will include a tourist information office, restaurant and retail outlets - is nearing completion of the first phase of development.

Foundations have been laid for the building, on the corner of Seventh and Hofmeyr street, which is directly opposite the small room Mandela lived in when he first moved from the eastern Cape to Johannesburg in the 1940s. Some of the yards surrounding Mandela's room will form part of the precinct.

An artist's impression of Hofmeyr Street in Alex
http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/aug/centre1.jpg

The interpretation centre will house an interactive exhibition telling the story of the people, ideas and events that shaped Alexandra over the last 100 years, as well as a community archive and resource centre documenting the diverse aspects of Alexandra 's history and heritage.

Funded by the Gauteng Tourism Authority, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Alexandra Renewal Project, the project will contribute to providing short-term employment in the construction phase, said Jo-Anne Duggan of the South African Heritage Agency, which will manage the centre.

Long-term benefits, added Duggan, will involve meeting and training rooms that will be used to conduct heritage and tourism-related programmes and will be available to community organisations.

"The interpretation centre will also include visitor facilities such as the tourism information office, a restaurant and retail outlets where visitors can purchase locally produced craft items and other mementoes of the visit to Alexandra," she adds.

Project co-ordinator Zodwa Tlale said the development will open many business opportunities for the residents of Alexandra. "With tourists coming to Alexandra, small businesses will be able to sell their goods."

Small contractors are already benefiting through the construction of the centre, Tlale added.

To help develop Alexandra as a tourist attraction, 25 sites around the township, which will be marked by information boards, have been listed for inclusion into a Heritage Tour Route. Maps of the route will also be available.

The sites include:

Mandela's yard;
several schools and houses, including the family home of first lady, Zanele Mbeki;
Freedom Square;
Kings Cinema;
churches, including St Hubert's Catholic Church and the Twelve Apostles Church of Africa;
the Jukskei River;
the Alexandra Clinic; and
the Alexandra Beer Hall.
The first phase of the project is expected to be complete within the next six months.

Pule

August 24th, 2004, 01:55 PM

Soweto's Ikwezi Station
set for major retail therapy

IKWEZI Station, a major transport and informal trading node in Soweto, is to be converted into a modern shopping mecca, complete with a shopping centre, food court and pedestrian boulevard.

The R30-million development will be financed by the City of Johannesburg and Ikwezi Holdings, a private company in which members of the local community hold a stake. The development will also see the upgrading of the taxi rank and facilities for informal traders.

The shopping centre will have 40 shops anchored by Fruit and Veg City and Cash and Carry, said Heinrich Kammeyer, architect and co-ordinator of the project.

Ikwezi, which has serviced commuting customers from Zondi, Dobsonville and Mofolo for generations, thrives on some 20 000 people, who patronise the precinct during rush hour. The train station is along the Naledi-Johannesburg rail line.

Kammeyer said the shops would measure between 12 and 36 square metres, "to accommodate the needs of the small entrepreneurs who are predominant in the area". The shopping centre will be built on the western part of Ikwezi Road, just adjacent to the beer hall. The ground floor of the beer hall will be converted into a games area, whilst the upper level will be turned into a restaurant with a top deck. A food court will be constructed close to the shopping centre and furniture shops will be accommodated across the road, said Kammeyer. "We aim to give customers a total shopping experience."

Ikwezi Road will also be closed off and converted into a pedestrian walkway, said Marius Peters, senior specialist in the City's Department of Planning which will contribute R4-million for the project. "The money will be used to build a pedestrian boulevard, construct ablution facilities and provide facilities for informal traders and taxi operators," explained Peters. The walkway will have canopies to protect commuters from harsh weather, said Peters. "We will also install street lights to make the area a night safe space," he pledged.

An Ikwezi steering committee had been set up to oversee the project and shopkeepers on the eastern side of Ikwezi Road had been encouraged to upgrade their premises, said ward councillor Thys Nkutha.

The committee has also been assisting informal traders to improve their ventures. "We want informal traders to move into the mainstream economy. We have already grouped some of them together into a co-operative with a single bank account. This has helped them to pool resources and improve their profile," said Nkutha.

According to Kammeyer, Intersite has agreed to transfer some of the land it owns to Ikwezi Holdings for the development, and the Zondi koppies just behind Ikwezi will be developed into a landscaped botanical garden.

Kammeyer said the area would be cleared in November, in preparation for construction work early in 2005.

Pule

August 31st, 2004, 08:15 AM

The River Club in Observatory has pledged R40 000 towards a project designed to build houses for Khayelitsha residents who lost their homes in the August 5 floods.

The River Club has made its premises available for the building of small single-room, wooden houses, which, with the help of disaster management, will be transported to Khayelitsha.

The River Club, which was also severely affected by the flood, only opened its doors to the public again on Monday.

Terry Dickinson, the club's chairperson, said their problems were insignificant compared to the "horrendous problems in Khayelitsha and other areas".

"We realised the River Club could start the ball rolling and get others to come on board to help the people of Khayelitsha. We hope other companies and businesses will also donate money for the project."

Three Cape Technikon students have come up with a winning design for a low-cost house in a competition run by the provincial housing department.

The design of Tecklehaimanot Beraki, Pamela Boast and Aman Gherger is based on the concept of high-density duplex housing with pedestrian walkways and pleasant outdoor spaces.

Pule

August 31st, 2004, 09:34 AM

Northen Cape
http://community.webshots.com/s/image6/0/96/18/93509618CWYzGW_ph.jpg

http://community.webshots.com/s/image6/5/38/41/79753841rZotVV_ph.jpg

Largest Manual Excavation in the World
http://community.webshots.com/s/image7/7/46/37/86774637TbGoWX_ph.jpg

http://community.webshots.com/s/image3/3/71/32/4337132YxshryVqjb_ph.jpg

http://community.webshots.com/s/image6/5/59/79/81155979ftGvmN_ph.jpg

http://community.webshots.com/s/image6/1/72/13/104717213XZffIR_ph.jpg

http://community.webshots.com/s/image3/2/43/61/104724361WwBsOa_ph.jpg

clive330

September 1st, 2004, 01:33 AM

I disagree that its the governments place to generate jobs.
I saw recently that the government is going on a drive to create jobs on an infrastructure program. According to conventional modern macro-economic threory, this is wrong, even dangerous.

I wonder though, if its not such a bad idea in South Africa which might be a special case due to its crime and violence.

The cost of crime: lost or diminished lives, property, wasted investment in security, insurance, loss of skills and capital abroad, increased domestic interest rates, lost investment etc over the next 20 years at our current trajectory would be many trillions of rands. I would say that crime (and the perception of crime) is lopping at least 2-3% of our GDP growth rate.

The cost of an extended public works program to mop up unemployed would increase the fiscal deficit, government debt and raise interest rates - but I think this may be the lesser of 2 evils. So long as there are long term benefits by highly geared returns on infrastructure put in place (not just bridges to nowhere); and that the unemployed are trained in skills relevant to SA's future requirements it might actually be a good idea.

So I think I formally change my opinion, with the above caveats. In the countries surrounding SA, which are generally poorer and a lot less violent I still think it would be an extremely wasteful program.

SYDNEY

September 1st, 2004, 07:55 AM

^^ The ANC's manifesto and promise for 1994 was to create jobs (10 years later there were even less jobs) , they used the same manifesto in 2004 and therefore they have to deliver. Politicians must learn that you cannot make empty promises and the ANC know that they can't play around now.

It is their promise and therefore their responsibility.

clive330

September 3rd, 2004, 01:12 AM

The ANC was silly to make the promises, but at the time, they may have expected more jobs to be generated. There are fewer jobs since many uneconomic businesses based on unskilled or semiskilled labour have died, and been replaced by more capital intensive businesses.

Labour laws, an apparent lack of suitably skilled labour and low interest rates have kept down employment numbers; however productivity must have leapt up more than 50% since the end of apartheid (3% GDP growth per year over 10 years using 10% fewer workers). The higher productivity means higher real wages for those that have jobs, causing more cash to be spent by more people, creating more demand for more goods and services. The path to middle class is open.

But it all comes down to economics. Unless SA sees the high side of 5% (SA is the slowest growing of 25 major developing countries according to the Economist) for a sustained period of time, the country will just be treading water.

joburg

September 5th, 2004, 09:53 PM

South Africans to be given new housing choices

Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu yesterday unveiled a far-reaching new strategy for the delivery of housing, designed to ensure greater choice as well as an improved living experience for the beneficiaries of the programme.

Speaking at a briefing session in Pretoria, and flanked by all her MECs bar one, as well as her director-general, Sisulu said that the plan is a product of a great deal of research, interviews and consultations with various stakeholders.

Cabinet approved the plan, which will involve the development, over the next five years, of integrated human settlements, on September 1.

Sisulu said that the plan provides a framework for the integration and the building of homes in healthy and secure living environments where everyone will have access to the services and goods produced by society.

“It provides for the provision of a total package of infrastructure such as schools, police stations, community facilities and clinics within the vicinity of actually built homes, in facilitation of good governance,” she said.

The plan will also collapse the subsidy system and create a three-tier category of income groups for better targeting. In the categorisation, the hard-core poor, which have income levels of 0 to R1 500 a month, receive the full housing subsidy of R28 000. The poor, which have income levels of R1 500 to R3 500, will also receive the full subsidy.

A new subsidy band is created for affordable housing targeting the middle income level (those earning R3 500 to R7 000), for whom government pays a deposit.

The plan also broadens the reach of housing policy to cover the entire residential property market.

Sisulu said that the plan's necessity stems from the fact that, at its inception in 1994, the Housing Policy and Strategy focused on stabilising the environment to transform the extremely fragmented, complex and racially-based financial and institutional framework that was inherited from the previous government, while simultaneously establishing new systems to ensure delivery to redress the housing backlog.

“Therefore, while government believes that the fundamentals of the policy remain relevant and sound, a new plan was required to redirect and enhance existing mechanisms to move towards a more responsive and effective delivery,” she added.

The Minister outlined a number of actions that will be conducted to facilitate the successful implementation of the plan and said that, in addition to these actions, greater coordination will be effected between national government, provincial and local government.

“Greater coordination will also be made between the departments which form the social sector, such as Provincial and Local Government, Agriculture and Land Affairs, Transport, Water Affairs and Forestry, and Minerals and Energy Affairs. An interministerial committee is being established in this regard to oversee the implementation of the housing plan,” she said.

Other initiatives in the plan include land acquisition through proactive identification and acquisition of land via the Public Works Asset Register, State Land Register and Environmental Potential Atlas.

The plan also targets inner-city regeneration and densification, with a number of programmes including rental and rent-to-own.

A special investigative unit to attend the reported cases of corruption at some levels is to be established.

“Consideration is also being given to ensure that this unit is highly mobile, well resourced and able to act speedily to bring those guilty to book,” Sisulu said.

A monitoring and audit unit will also be created to undertake a detailed analysis of money allocated to projects against units completed and titles transferred. In addition, consideration is being given to the establishment of a management information system that will be able to create an audit trail of housing money expended at all levels of government on a project-by-project basis against deeds of transfer or rental contracts.

At the media briefing, Sisulu emphasised that the housing plan was not just for urban dwellers but will include options for South Africa's rural people.

She added that government plans to buy the corrugated iron from the informal settlement dwellers that are granted subsidies and use the proceeds towards the subsidies. Those foreigners living legally in South Africa will not be able to qualify for a housing subsidy but will be able to rent an affordable property.

“Only those with a South African bar-coded identity book and over the age of 21 will be able to qualify for the subsidy,” Sisulu said.

She could not give any indication of the cost of the new plan or any targets the government expects to reach, saying that discussions with Treasury are under way and her only target is the effective delivery of housing.

Pule

September 14th, 2004, 08:13 AM

Baragwanath's spectacular taxi rank takes shape

http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/sep/bara2.jpg

http://www.joburg.org.za/2003/aug/bara1.jpg

http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/sep/bara3.jpg

http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/sep/bara4.jpg

A MAJOR project to build an elaborate transport holding facility in Soweto, expected to cost over R100-million, is on track to be completed by the end of 2006.

Construction on the third phase of the development, a transport holding facility, has been given the go-ahead by council.

The City of Johannesburg, through the Department of Development Planning, Transport and Environment has contributed much of the finance for the project, with an injection of R3-million for phase two from the National Department of Transport, says Robert Michael-Bathke, development manager for Baralink at the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).

The Baragwanath Public Transport Facility is being built along the Old Potchefstroom Road, extending eastward up to the main pedestrian bridge into the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and westward to the Lesedi Clinic.

As construction on the second phase of the facility next to Lesedi Clinic nears completion, work on the second holding area is set to begin.

The first phase was the realignment of the Old Potchefstroom Road in front of the hospital, to make way for the upgrading of the public taxi rank and informal traders market. This R10-million project was completed in November 2003.

The second phase of public transport facility is an impressive structure, which boasts 170 holding bays, with a covered walkway for pedestrians, facilities for hawkers and an ablution block.

This facility, built at a cost of R18-million, forms the second element of the ambitious Baralink project, a multi-million rand development which seeks to change the face of the area, turning it into a pulsating commercial, cultural and residential zone. Michael-Bathke says taxis will be relocated to the new facility in October.

Now the council has given the go-ahead for R32-million to be transferred to the JDA to commence with the construction of the third phase: a facility with 20 bays for buses and 25 bays for long-distance taxis. It will also have hawker facilities, ablution, recreation and meeting rooms for taxis and buses. Construction of this phase is expected to be completed within 12 months.

In the fourth phase of the project, two ranks, one with 129 single lane bays and the other with 124 bays, will be constructed, says Michael-Bathke.

Phase four, which will start before the end of 2005, will see the two taxi ranks being constructed at a cost of R39-million.

In the final phase of the development, the pedestrian bridge that goes into the hospital will be upgraded and CCTV cameras installed. New street lights have already been installed along Old Potchefstroom Road.

The completion of the public sector funded transport facility is expected to give impetus to initiatives in the private sector to construct middle and low-income housing, shopping malls and recreational facilities in the area as part of the Baralink project.

SYDNEY

September 20th, 2004, 04:57 PM

:redx:

SYDNEY

September 21st, 2004, 04:33 PM

:redx:

clive330

September 22nd, 2004, 01:28 AM

joburg

September 22nd, 2004, 02:26 PM

The whole of Gauteng must have a middle class population of less than 3 million. Are all these "upmarket shopping centres" going to be used? Melbourne has a middle class population of 3.6 million and there is far less of this stuff here than in Gauteng.

I am concerned that there is going to be a upmarket retail "bust" at somepoint soon.

I see your concern. It's got so bad that, literally, there is almost a shopping centre on every corner. Weird thing is that most are almost always packed full.

I think one of the reasons for the high number of retail outlets is that South Africans in general do not save. Particularly the middle/upper class love to swipe through plastic money, and then get a bad credit rating.

The other reason for the retail boom is that our middle class is steadily rising. One just has to look out north so see how many new developments are going on. The north is one big residential mushroom, and the retail industry is simply cashing in on this boom.

But like you, Clive, I can't help wonder if this is all a bit too much...

SYDNEY

September 24th, 2004, 10:32 PM

:redx:

SYDNEY

October 4th, 2004, 10:45 AM

:redx:

NZer

October 18th, 2004, 08:32 AM

What a beautiful country South Africa is.

clive330

October 19th, 2004, 12:19 AM

And thats quite a compliment coming from a New Zealander!

heavyzakura334

October 26th, 2004, 04:47 AM

its no wonder you guys are the best in the continent and god dammit cheers to that! :cheers:

Allan

October 26th, 2004, 05:23 AM

such a spectacular country.I was always fascinated by the beauties of this country.Thanx for the pics

Pule

October 26th, 2004, 10:10 AM

Thanx for the compliment guys. What u see on the forum header today is place at the Cape Point in Capet Town. Indian and Pacific Ocean meet at this point.

http://skyscrapercity.com/images/forumheaders/26.jpg

Gatis

October 27th, 2004, 11:05 PM

Very very beautiful. I am a bit surprised about the snow.
And I am sure - there is still very very much to show. F.e. Aughrabies waterfall - one of the ten big ones in the world.

Pule

November 4th, 2004, 02:40 PM

Mpumalanga continued...

http://www.getawayafrica.com/gallery/south_africa/large/122.jpg

http://www.wheretostay.co.za/ebutsinilodge/ebutsini1.jpg

http://www.wheretostay.co.za/ebutsinilodge/ebutsini4.jpg

http://africanadrenalin.co.za/rattray/pick/ander1.jpg

http://mpumalanga.hotelguide.co.za/images/gazebo280loc.jpg

http://www.i-escape.com/thumbnails/SA048_overview1.jpg

http://www.whattodo.co.za/ebutsinitrails/ebutsinitrails1.jpg

http://www.africa-adventure.org/p/papadi/paparoad.jpg

http://www.africa-adventure.org/p/papadi/papaelep.jpg

http://www.virginia.edu/iso/studyabroad/summer/images/wholetreegroup.jpg

SYDNEY

November 8th, 2004, 11:52 AM

:redx:

clive330

November 8th, 2004, 11:02 PM

HirakataShi

November 9th, 2004, 01:53 AM

By Karin Lombard

More than a third of all South Africans never have any cross-racial contact during an average weekday. And, according to a new race relations survey, 40 percent mistrust people of other racial groups.

Data from three consecutive rounds of the national South African Reconciliation Barometer survey conducted during the past year-and-a-half suggests that racial attitudes may be stabilising, but that a lack of cross-racial contact and a lack of understanding remain the biggest challenges.

Racially diverse schools, on the other hand, may represent one of the most valuable opportunities for fostering racial reconciliation.

These results stem from three national surveys conducted in March-April 2003, October-November 2003 and April-May 2004. Face-to-face interviews were done with socially and racially representative samples of 3 498, 3 499, 3 498 people respectively.

Interviews were conducted in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, including informal settlements and deep rural areas.

The first step to analysing the state of race relations is to investigate how frequently, if ever, South Africans of different racial backgrounds mingle.

South Africans who never have cross-racial contact during their everyday interactions: more than a third report never having any cross-racial contact during an average day of the week, whether at work or otherwise.

Although contact levels appear to have stabilised since the second half of last year, they still represent a 10 percent increase in the number who never talk to South Africans of other races.

This increase is mostly among black South Africans, and it is likely that a small portion of this change could stem from fluctuations in employment levels. An increase in job losses could reduce overall levels of employment-based interracial contact.

It may also indicate that people are changing the places they go to. As the shopping and other facilities in townships and suburbs expand, so there may no longer be the need for people to go to the cities for such everyday activities, thereby reducing opportunities for cross-racial contact.

Alternatively, we could be witnessing a new brand of "group areas" residential patterns. Although all residential areas are now legally open to all, one hears of situations where, as black South Africans move into certain suburbs, the present inhabitants of these previously white, coloured or Indian suburbs move out.

But these possibilities present only part of the answer, and other factors need to be considered.

South Africans who never have cross-racial contact while socialising: overall there is a similar pattern with regard to more voluntary, social cross-racial contact. More than half of all South Africans - and, in fact, 10 percent more than was the case in April last year - never socialise with people who do not belong to the same racial group as themselves.

Breaking down the data by race reveals that far fewer whites, coloureds and Indians than blacks report never interacting with members of other races on any given weekday and in social occasions. This is hardly surprising, given that the great majority of the population is black and that it is more likely that members of the white, coloured and Indian minority groups make contact with black South Africans, than it is for the mass of blacks to make contact with the comparatively much smaller groups of Indians, coloureds and whites.

Additionally, many black South Africans spend their days in the country's townships, which are very rarely visited by white, coloured and Indians and are therefore subject to a certain degree of involuntary racial isolation.

On the whole, despite the fact that there may be a slight increase in cross-racial contact among the minority groups, cross-racial contact remains at the high levels of the latter part of last year, ruling out the possibility of an increase of interaction across racial divides.

Although there is no conclusive verdict on whether cross-racial contact enhances racial harmony, it does seem likely that a lack of contact, in particular contact in a more relaxed social environment, would not provide many opportunities for existing stereotypes and prejudices to be dispelled.

It is therefore not surprising that about 60 percent of South Africans continue to struggle to understand their fellow South Africans from other racial backgrounds, and this percentage has remained stable during the course of the year-and-a-half.

South Africans who have difficulty understanding people of other races: within the different racial groups, the proportion who struggle to understand their fellow citizens from diverse racial backgrounds has also remained stable, with the exception being a sharp decline among coloureds.

On the whole, black South Africans are affected most by a difficulty in understanding the customs and ways of other racial groups. This could largely be attributed to the greater extent of social isolation experienced by them, though other possible reasons should be explored.

Compared with the almost two-thirds of respondents claiming to have trouble understanding people of other races, substantially fewer people report having trouble trusting people of other race groups.

South Africans who find people of other races untrustworthy: this measure of cross-racial perceptions also remains relatively static over time, with only whites revealing a significant upswing in interracial distrust of 8 percent during the course of last year, followed by a 4 percent downswing since then.

Between November last year and April this year there was also a 7 percent drop in the number of coloured South Africans claiming that people from other racial backgrounds are untrustworthy.

Looking at the national statistics, there has also been little change with regard to people's views of living in a neighbourhood dominated by another race. Just more than half of all have no problem with broadly integrated neighbourhoods. Clear racial differences exist, with whites revealing the greatest resistance to integrated neighbourhoods, and coloureds the greatest enthusiasm.

South Africans who approve of living in a neighbourhood mostly populated by people of other races: the data also shows that on a national level there has been no increase in the number of citizens who approve of interracial neighbourhoods during the 18-month period. The only possible exception would be the coloured and white communities. Between November last year and April this year the proportion of whites who approved of racially mixed neighbourhoods has increased by 10 percent, from 35 percent to 48 percent, while among coloureds it has increased from 73 percent to 80 percent.

Racially diverse, if not meaningfully integrated, schools are met with greater approval by South Africans. More than two-thirds approve and, after a small dip in support levels towards the latter part of last year, the degree of approval rose again to 68 percent of the population being in favour of mixed schools.

When it comes to South Africans who approve of their children sitting next to people of another race at school, the approval ratings again are lowest among white South Africans, but whites have also undergone the greatest change, with almost 20 percent more whites in support of racially mixed schools in April this year than in November last year.

The same cannot be said about the attitudes of whites towards mixed marriages. Only 16 percent of whites approve of these, and there is no sign of attitudes changing. Approval among Indian and black South Africans has remained stable at 53 percent. The only change occurred in the coloured community, where the acceptance of mixed marriages has risen by 10 percent, meaning that 77 percent of coloured South Africans approve of mixed marriages.

It is interesting to note that in terms of the national data, support levels for mixed marriages within the immediate family are almost the same as those for living in neighbourhoods dominated by South Africans of other races.

South Africans who approve of mixed marriages in their families: when looking at the state of racial attitudes through the lens of the past decade of phenomenal change - most obviously in the political, legislative and institutional sphere, but also in the realm of the economic and social - a lack of any overall change in perceptions during the past year-and-a-half is somewhat disconcerting.

In fact, on a concrete, behavioural level, the data indicates a temporary increase in the portions of South African society that lived in almost complete isolation during the course of last year. Fortunately, it does appear that this trend has stabilised, but levels of contact will need continued close monitoring.

The salience of cross-racial contact and interaction for amiable race relations and reconciliation is enormous.

At the same time, levels of contact may be the most decisive indicator of the actual state of race relations.

The survey shows that South Africans do appear to be still in the grasp of a collection of generalised preconceptions and hardened stereo-types. An inability to understand the "other" continues to loom large. Breaking down these barriers takes time.

But there is hope. There is some indication that people are willing to try. The two-thirds of the population that support integrated schools may be a good place to start. The increased support for integrated schools and neighbourhoods among whites is therefore a good sign. Schools can play an integral role in building understanding and trust.

Although there is moderate support for racially diverse neighbourhoods and families, schools are by nature better suited to facilitate a reduction in stereotypes. The success of schools in changing these somewhat disconcerting figures on cross-racial distrust and a lack of understanding will depend on how the curriculum addresses these issues, but also on the extent to which teachers create space for this to happen.

SA BOY

November 11th, 2004, 07:46 AM

I lived in Richards bay(bottom right) and built a prison in Empangani (bottom left) and loved my time in Zululand.I have also stayed at Charters Creek camp on the Westernshores of LSL which was deffinatly an eye opener.

SA BOY

November 11th, 2004, 07:52 AM

Also Jozini dam looks huge and is also a wonderful place to hang on a house boat

SYDNEY

November 11th, 2004, 08:24 PM

:redx:

Pule

November 13th, 2004, 11:21 AM

I dont know if my viewpoint is an inappropriate and eurocentric (Pule - please comment), but it seems a pity that in most of the townships people really dont seem to mind having a desert for a garden. Its not poverty as those small houses usually have all the modcons that a suburban house would - its just that greenery doesnt seem important to most township residents and so the whole place looks MUCH poorer than it should (to my westernised eyes).

Aussie cities have tens of thousands of township-size houses on townships-sized properties (or smaller) and they are treasured and usually have lovely gardens, making the suburb look wealthy, even if there is actually no real difference in land or buildings.

I'm sorry I couldn't comment in time as I'm still working in Mpumalanga, in our client's office, and they don't give non-staff internet access. What you saying is true but I think mentality is now changing as you can see that plenty of townships are now reviving their parks and gardens. I think funded projects like the ones that was started in Soweto should be spread accross the country.

FerrariEnzo

November 16th, 2004, 04:59 AM

I was in South Africa for the first time on business to Jo-burg as they seem to call it I guess, and it was amazing. Great country you have!

SYDNEY

November 16th, 2004, 04:26 PM

:redx:

SYDNEY

November 17th, 2004, 09:18 PM

I was in South Africa for the first time on business to Jo-burg as they seem to call it I guess, and it was amazing. Great country you have!

Sorry for only replying now - I am glad that you had a great time and I hope that you can answer the following question for me -

What did you expect prior to your arrival in Jo'burg and what as the realities after you had arrived in Jo'burg ? It will be very interesting to hear it from a "first timer" that has been influenced by the media.

clive330

November 24th, 2004, 01:27 AM

Constant water and power cuts, burst pipes, excessive litter, illegal dumping and traffic congestion are what many Johannesburg residents have to contend with every day.

One of the reasons for the breakdown in infrastructure is the huge development boom in and around the city.

The demand for property has resulted in developments springing up all over Gauteng. However, there are concerns that the City of Johannesburg is failing to cope with the demand for supporting infrastructure.

Democratic Alliance Johannesburg leader Mike Moriarty believes that the city is not allocating enough of its annual budget to improving infrastructure, with certain parts of the city not coping at all.

'There is simply not enough network capacity'
Regarding electricity, Moriarty said the main problems were with the substations in the western part of the city; the greater Alexandra area, covering the north-east areas; and in Fordsburg, which services most of the CBD.

"Although we are told that much of the strain is happening because of illegal connections, if City Power regulated and legalised connections, this would not be happening. There is simply not enough network capacity," Moriarty said.

The roads network was hopelessly inadequate and this was evidenced by increasing congestion in the Roodepoort, Sandton and Fourways areas.

Judy Stockhill, the ward councillor for the Rosebank/Sandton area, said she receives constant complaints about water pressure, power outages, leaks and bursts.

"Joburg Water has tried to increase the pressure, but at night you can see leaks all over the streets because of this increased pressure."

'At night you can see leaks all over the streets'
She also said the sewers were constantly overflowing.

"Joburg Water is responding to new applications with a narrow vision and not taking its capacity to deliver into proper consideration," Stockhill said.

Mike Tonkin, ward councillor for the Roodepoort area, said: "The north-western areas of Roodepoort, Honeydew, Ruimsig, Strubens Valley and Wilgeheuwel have experienced enormous development in recent years and the infrastructure has simply not kept up.

"With water, there is either insufficient pressure or complete cuts. The sewerage system cannot cope, and twice in the past two months there have been major bursts where residents have found their gardens covered in raw sewage.

"Power outages were bad earlier this year but have improved in recent months after City Power upgraded the system.

"The roads around here are so chaotic that we recently had a petition with 7 000 signatures submitted to us complaining about the congestion. The roads are too narrow to handle the volumes. This results in motorists rat-running through the suburbs. We have had accidents in suburban roads as a result, and a few horses and their riders have been injured or killed because of this," Tonkin said.

Traffic around the William Nicol/Fourways area has also become unbearable. Residents report spending up to an hour getting to and from work in peak times. If there is an accident or a breakdown, they can spend up to two hours in traffic.

The situation is so bad that one family decided to sell their home in upmarket Dainfern after being in it for just three months.

Monica Roos said: "The traffic situation was impossible. The roads are simply not coping with the traffic coming from the Diepsloot area and all the new complexes. There was complete gridlock. We were wasting so much time on the road and money on petrol that we decided to sell up and move closer to the city."

Residents of about 40 cluster complexes in Woodmead, Sandton, recently complained of having no water pressure during peak hours. They said it took them four hours to fill a bath.

The City of Johannesburg was aware of the increasing demand and had therefore increased its capital expenditure programme for 2004/2005 to R1,9-billion.

City spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said the capital budget for City Power had been increased from R246-million to R469-million; for Johannesburg Water from R193-million to R450-million; and the Johannesburg Roads Agency from R175-million to R239-million.

All this money would be used to upgrade infrastructure and address backlogs.

Johannesburg Water says it has 9 800km of piping, which is more than enough to cope with the growing demand for the foreseeable future.

Spokesperson Jameel Chand says that claims from residents in the Woodmead area are an exaggeration.

“By and large, our infrastructure is more than adequate, and, in fact, massive by world standards.”

Chand says Joburg Water is continually upgrading. It has 87 reservoirs throughout the city. The Linbro reservoir, to supply Alexandra and surrounding areas, was recently completed, at a cost of R15-million.

“We don’t wait for developments to happen. When we realise that we are at 75 percent capacity, we start acting to upgrade,” Chand explains.

“A problem is that contractors sometimes damage our pipes and don’t tell us.

“We are cracking down on this, and in future will be charging them double our cost to repair, as a penalty, if we find they have been negligent.”

City Power says there are going to be power cuts in certain areas for the next five years.

The utility has spent R500-million on infrastructure since the inception of City Power three years ago.

At the time, the state of the network was bad and no money had been spent for the previous 20 years. It says there have been improvements in many areas, such as Lenasia and Alexandra, where confidence in the network has been restored.

A further R100-million will be invested in Alex in the next five to seven years to normalise the situation. In North Riding, which is experiencing huge growth, City Power is spending R60-million. Another R60-million will be spent in Weltevreden, another area where there have been massive developments and frequent power cuts.

A new cable has been installed in Rosebank to provide that area, as well as Hyde Park and Killarney, with additional capacity.
A further R10-million is being spent on street lighting.

The growth of the city is recorded in Pikitup’s strategy as one of the key challenges facing the company.

Communications manager Marius de Villiers says: “The city has an annual growth rate in excess of five percent along specific development corridors, which far exceeds the national average.

“Key to our strategy to address the growth challenge will be to consider new approaches to running the business.

“We have introduced new technology, such as front-end loaders that operate more efficiently, reducing the number of trips to landfills; the introduction of 240-litre bins assisted Pikitup in dealing with illegal dumping; while additional 240-litre bins are being rolled out on a continuous basis to new residential areas.

“Problems such as littering are growing, especially in the inner city, which stretches the limited resources of Pikitup. Certain of our landfill sites are nearing the end of their life, but generally speaking, Pikitup has sufficient landfill space to cope for the foreseeable future.” according to De Villiers.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency admits there are serious congestion problems.

Chief executive Mavela Dlamini says roads are expensive to build, at R1,7-million a kilometre.

Another problem is that the bulk contribution by developers is nominal and depends on other developments going up in the area, which sometimes does not happen quickly enough.

A third problem is that many developers are seeking approval for their projects through the Development Facilitation Act instead of through the city’s planning committee. Road capacity is not then taken into account.

“At the moment we are focusing on constructing roads in areas where there have been none, but we are aware of the problems in the west and north.

“We are looking at widening some roads, but also need more effective use of vehicles, such as multiple people per vehicle instead of just one, and the spreading out of peak hours over longer hours,” Dlamini says.

This article was originally published on page 6 of The Star on November 22, 2004

confusedcious

November 24th, 2004, 01:47 AM

Does anyone have any pictures or details about Bafokeng?

Thanks

clive330

November 24th, 2004, 02:20 AM

I'd never even heard of Bafokeng but a searched revealed this great article:

Bafokeng install new king

19 August 2003

The Bafokeng nation in North West - one of the richest tribes that occupies its own land in the country - on Saturday witnessed the enthronment of Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi as the 36th paramount ruler of the 800-year-old kingdom.

The ceremony was attended by high-profile local and international dignitaries as well as members of the 300 000-strong nation at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng, near Rustenburg.

The third of six children, Kgosi Molotlegi's ascendance to the kingship is by birth and the Bafokeng laws of succession.

Known as the "People of the Dew", the Bafokeng nation currently spans 44 farms and extends over 70 000 hectares. The kingdom is sub-divided into 72 traditional dikgoro (wards), each of which is regulated by a hereditary dikgosana (headman) and mmadikgosana (headman’s wife).

Located on the mineral-rich Merensky Reef, the Bafokeng kingdom has an abundance of chrome reserves and the world's second-largest platinum deposits.

An agreement reached between several mining companies and the Royal Bafokeng administration resulted in the Bafokeng receiving compensation payments and annual royalties from the mining companies that extract minerals from the land.

In 1999 the late Kgosi Lebone Mollwane Molotlegi II won a 10-year legal battle for royalty payments from Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats) - amounting to an estimated R827-million at the end of the 2002 financial year - which began mining platinum on Bafokeng soil in the 1960s.

Royalties were raised to 22% from 1998, and the Bafokeng were given one million Implats shares, worth about R250-million today, and a seat on Implats' board, which is currently occupied by the new king.

The Bafokeng have formed Royal Bafokeng Resources Holdings (RBR) to manage the mining-related interests of the nation - including its 43.9% shareholding in SA Chrome and Alloys, the only ferrochrome producer listed on the JSE Securities Exchange.

The Bafokeng have used their income from mining to build schools, roads, clinics and other infrastructure such as a sports complex incorporating a soccer stadium with an athletics track, an Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts and a gymnasium. Almost all the infrastructure has been planned, designed and funded by the Royal Bafokeng.

The Bafokeng king has devised Vision 2020, a programme which aims to foster sustainable development for the Bafokeng through the effective use of resources.

The king has said he will strive, as part of the vision, to move the Bafokeng mindset away from work-seeking employees to job-creating employers, and to transform their economy from a resource-based into a knowledge-based one.

Kgosi Leruo is a member of the Mineral Rights Association of Indigenous People of South Africa, and holds a degree in architecture and urban planning from the University of Natal.

SouthAfrica.info reporter

Pule

November 26th, 2004, 04:08 PM

SYDNEY

December 1st, 2004, 08:57 PM

:redx:

SYDNEY

December 17th, 2004, 04:12 PM

:redx:

NZer

December 24th, 2004, 01:43 PM

I never realized how diverse South Africa's landscapes were.
Sure,you have a lot of the same stuff as most other places,but it all seems to have this unique sort of quality that just makes it different somehow,you guys have a really,really cool country.I will visit SA before I die.

SYDNEY

December 29th, 2004, 02:16 PM

De Snor

January 5th, 2005, 12:07 AM

take a look over here , you'll love it :)

http://www.*****************/pc/pc/cat/249

SYDNEY

January 6th, 2005, 07:42 AM

take a look over here , you'll love it :)

http://www.*****************/pc/pc/cat/249

What a gr8 link - thanks Stephan :)

clive330

January 12th, 2005, 02:32 AM

How great is this shot!

http://db2.*****************/ram/new/2388893.jpg

Bond James Bond

January 12th, 2005, 03:45 AM

^Whoa!

Don't fall! ;)

Pule

February 1st, 2005, 06:39 AM

Stellenbosh, Cape Town

Photos by Greg Vogt - DSA

Bar at Spier's Moyo Restaurant

http://www.dsa.co.za/PhotoDetail.aspx

http://www.dsa.co.za/PhotoDetail.aspx

http://www.dsa.co.za/PhotoDetail.aspx

http://www.dsa.co.za/PhotoDetail.aspx

http://www.dsa.co.za/PhotoDetail.aspx

SYDNEY

February 16th, 2005, 05:29 PM

:redx:

Captain Beakey

February 20th, 2005, 02:56 AM

The western media are ignorant, but on a positive note, I'm very pleased to see South Africa transformed. Keep up the good work - from a UK Indian.

El Cronista

February 21st, 2005, 11:25 PM

hey guys many of the pics arent available anymore but for those that i saw it seems a wonderful place, to much adventure i really would love to visit your country someday.

greetings mates :)

dysan1

February 21st, 2005, 11:32 PM

hello there. think we need to update a lil bit!

dysan1

February 24th, 2005, 06:28 PM

It has been planned for ages, the photo’s have been gathering, and finally they are now all available to you in one place.

The purpose of this thread to highlight the visual delights of Durban. However it will also showcase districts in the city that are not well known to outsiders. In that vain, I have compiled a few district reports that delve into the character of the area’s and highlight what they have to offer and how they came about.

But most of all, the pictures will do the majority of the talking.

You will find no project updates and no new developments. Only a reflection on the past and the present, which have made Durban’s future possible.

dysan1

February 24th, 2005, 06:48 PM

When one thinks of Durban, these are generally the images one gets presented with:

The CBD. That aging beauty which dramatically rises out of Durban Harbour and presents itself as a massive wall of art deco, 60’s concrete and 90’s glass and steel. It is most definitely an impressive vista, yet one that unfortunately is hardly seen by locals, but one that is admired by the crewman of the ships that trawl the Southern Hemisphere’s busiest harbour and one of the top 15 busiest in the world.

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v330/clive3300/cbd.jpg
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v330/clive3300/apartments.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/a6cd3b3a1b78476cb0981bbfa80661a2_2005-02-24_011.jpg
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v330/clive3300/cbd_from_western_freeway.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/82fa16b2501443f994916c6afeb1dd04_2005-02-16_041.jpg
http://www.durbanpoint.com/}images/gallery/pics/Point-arial-photo-HIREZ.jpg
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v330/clive3300/harbour.jpg
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v330/clive3300/yacht_mole2.jpg
http://www.kwazulu-natal.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/pic8.jpg
http://www.kwazulu-natal.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/sanlambuilding.jpg
http://www.ithala.co.za/news/wilsons.jpg
http://www.icc.co.za/downloads/gallery/images/aerial1big.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/4840a5be4b584739af044e8f58bca2b7_2005-02-16_055.jpg

The Beachfront. Another example of the effect that concrete had on the 70’s era. The once thriving beachfront went through a period of dramatic decline in the early nineties as tourists headed north to umhlanga and south to margate, completely ignoring Durban. This was a tough period for tourism in Durbs, but with the turn of the millennium the city has hit back, and done so hard. New developments on the northern edge of the beachfront in the form of the Suncoast casino have transformed the perception of the beachfront area in the psyche of Durbanites. And with the pace of development at the point in the south, the future is looking rosy for the golden mile in between.

http://www.icc.co.za/downloads/gallery/images/coastlinebig.jpg
http://www.icc.co.za/downloads/gallery/images/beachfrontbig.jpg
http://www.ushakamarineworld.co.za/pics2/images/ushaka137.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/400358b53ac94afdbb6e06359a5c938e_2005-02-16_033.jpg

And yet here ends the average Joe’s knowledge of the cultural melting pot that is Durbs.

dysan1

February 24th, 2005, 07:13 PM

Architecturally Durban has more to offer than most people give her credit for. She has one of the largest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world and some of the finest Victorian and Edwardian buildings in South Africa. She embraced the 60’s/70’s with all its concrete and cladding, and has now embraced modernism with the space age buildings that have mushroomed across the ridges of Umhlanga and La Lucia, the most modern commercial area’s in the country.

She is a city that has quietly gotten on with the job, with little attention in comparison to Johannesburg and Cape Town. But while they may have been oblivious to the changes that were occurring out east, she carefully calculated her plan to find a niche in an ever changing market. In 1997 she burst onto the scene with a weapon that neither Jozi, or iKapa could match, and still battle to compete with. The International Convention Centre catapualted the city into the international conference scene, at a time when South Africa was the flavour of the month. More conferences were hosted at the icc in its first 3 years than they expected to handle in 10 years. So important was the icc to the re-establishment of Durban as a city to be reckoned with, that it even managed to re-energise the cities ailing tourist industry. In the process the centre won countless awards for its design and has for the last 3 years won the award for the best conference centre in Africa. In 2004 it was also rated as one of the top 10 convention centres worldwide. With its expansion underway, it stands to further improve its standing in the world market.

http://www.icc.co.za/downloads/gallery/images/iccsidebig.jpg
http://www.icc.co.za/downloads/gallery/images/iccfrontbig.jpg
http://www.icc.co.za/downloads/gallery/images/foyerbig.jpg
http://www.icc.co.za/downloads/gallery/images/aerialiccbig.jpg
http://www.icc.co.za/downloads/gallery/images/banquetbig.jpg

And here is the neighbouring Hilton Hotel, that opened in 1997 (therefore making it the newest completed highrise in Durban until the ones at the point are completed next year. It is 76m tall, has 19Floors and 367 rooms.

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/45e0154feaac4fd2a6c68d30b28d960d_2005-02-24_015.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/327b30a0aded4012a5f3080683db9369_2005-02-16_094.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/379bf1ca8f104715a8c231c27578e693_2005-02-24_018.jpg

dysan1

February 24th, 2005, 07:21 PM

A trend that hit the whole of South Africa in the 90’s hit Durban as well. Decentralisation lead to increasing vacancy rates in the Durban CBD and a migration to the office estates in Umhlanga and Westville. But unlike the mass, almost uncontrolled developments that took place in Johannesburg and Cape Town, where every available plot was bought up and built upon with little thought for its impact on the surrounding area’s, Durban’s development was carefully calculated by the Moreland group.

Being a subsidiary of Tongaat Hulett, they had access to vast tracks of sugarcane fields that they planned to turn into what eventually became La Lucia Ridge. Since they owned all the land, they could stipulate design codes on developers and make sure that sufficient infrastructure was in place to cater for future growth. Every detail of the development was planned and every eventuality was catered for. This planning is what set the ridge apart from other decentralised office nodes around the country, and why today it is not plagued with the severe traffic problems that clog Sandton, even though on any given day 80000 vehicles travel the roads of the ridge.

The design code stipulated modernism as a theme and as such, the ridge has a distinct character. Lines are crisp, colours are predominately white with exposed steel, brickwork and glass evident throughout.

http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/CA9011E64E71290442256D6B0050B5F0/$FILE/urntc_logo2.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/967B2F154409621642256D6B0050A802/$FILE/urntc_004.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/2136D87D3A2446AE42256D6B005092CE/$FILE/llroe_004.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/79B6E9CC05C2588642256D6B00505F99/$FILE/llroe_002.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/19695DEAC981B2D242256D6B0050A685/$FILE/urntc_002.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/CDFE95945A3725B342256D6B0050AD18/$FILE/urntc_018.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/1F26DB774A74DE4A42256D6B0050AEC4/$FILE/urntc_022.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/F8F6F0163393F55D42256D6B0050B30D/$FILE/urntc_032.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/B4352900884968F942256D6B0050C843/$FILE/urntc_049.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/FEB375DC78EAA96742256D6B00509469/$FILE/llroe_007.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/C9C8999659C7B09242256D6B00509614/$FILE/llroe_010.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/F0B6C99360C0830F42256D6B00509A6E/$FILE/llroe_018.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/53C5205BFF8F935042256D6B00509BA3/$FILE/llroe_021.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/A4A3B6EE5977782F42256D6B00509E1E/$FILE/llroe_031.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/6C3CAC14E5FE1D4642256D6B0050A194/$FILE/llroe_038re.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/1d03a5c5195a4d50bc9767cd5aa19658_2004-12-26_011.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/2786845ef7d04bca9d2a4af077829d23_2004-12-26_010.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/7a3c468972264176a6046078a1d91ea8_2004-12-26_008.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/efb9085c9dea47a2bc8322898f63a462_2004-12-26_028.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/e5fce6aef36c4803bb40f150de8fe628_2004-12-29_038.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/e6ce08b5865245aaa5dabcbc1e6e3e26_2004-12-29_037.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/5ff82c06d77a42fba41c5e595d1232e4_2004-12-29_036.jpg

dysan1

February 24th, 2005, 07:38 PM

The North Durban region of Umhlanga needed a new landmark that represented all that its new town centre stood for. The buildings in the area were all built in the last 7 years and as such are all modern, with clean lines and white in colour. the bridge needed to connect to this and also serve as a new age icon for the area. Upon its completion in 2001, it had a lighting system that had never been used on a bridge anywhere in the world before. I believe that it succeeded in becoming an icon for the ridge.

http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/4625C96CB5037F4B42256D6B0050C9FD/$FILE/urntc_052.jpg
http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/946BE4566F9DFB5342256D6B0050CB5F/$FILE/urntc_054.jpg
http://www.bproj.co.za/bosch_projects/images/gateway_bridge3.jpg
http://www.askzn.co.za/tourism/images/nc_gateway01.jpg
http://www.concretesociety.co.za/inland_branch/images/moreland.jpg
http://www.usdsu.org/faculty/jewellm/Pictures/South%20Africa%20Trip/2.%20Durbin/Millenium%20Bridge,%20Durbin.JPG

clive330

March 1st, 2005, 06:15 AM

Durban looks quite built up in 1965! Like a little Sao Paulo going on.

Durban 1939
http://www.viewfromabove.co.za/KZN/images/KZN020.jpg
Durban 1958
http://www.viewfromabove.co.za/KZN/images/KZN018.jpg
Durban 1965:
http://www.viewfromabove.co.za/KZN/images/KZN019.jpg

dysan1

March 1st, 2005, 04:28 PM

Special Report - Windermere Design and Restaurant District

Like most South African cities, Durban is undergoing a renaissance. Previously drab precincts are getting a fresh lease on life and at the same time giving the cities citizens an ever growing selection of café’s, stores and galleries. Since 2002 the Windermere road area has become a hive of activity, with many old buildings getting a welcome renovation that has had a ripple affect on the surrounding area’s, which are now beginning to form unique precincts in one of Durban’s most historic and beautiful suburbs.

This new found confidence among the cities citizen’s has lead to the area becoming the cities unofficial design district and home to some of the most cutting edge designers in South Africa. Of the recognizable names in the industry are EGG designs, who have won international acclaim with their ambitious take on interior design. This is evident in the design of their offices in Ninth Avenue.

The area exudes charm and sophistication and this is more often than not reflected in the prices in the stores and the meals that are served. The atmosphere is more contemporary colonial than the tropical atmosphere that most people associate with durbs, which is often unknown to the outsider who doesn’t know what happens beyond the cities beaches, and doesn’t attempt to venture into these areas’. Walking along the tree-lined avenues that dominate the area, one feels a world away from the cities beaches. A chilled moment in these cafes, sipping on a cappuccino, can almost take all your stresses and worries away.

But this forum is focused on buildings, and as such the architectural gems that enhance this district are of the utmost importance. Most of the buildings date back to the early 20th century, when the Morningside area was considered to be the home to the cities’ elite who could afford to live on the ridges overlooking the city and harbour below. As Durban has a strong British heritage, many of the homes exude an English charm. As you can see from the images that follow, the character of the homes have been kept, even though their modern day uses differ greatly from their original purposes.

Among the stores, the French consulate can be found, as well as numerous media, promotional and property companies. Restaurants range from Italian, Greek and Portuguese, to Mexican, Indian, and Cuban and to those which are very contemporary in feel. This eclectic mix is carried over to the varied array of bars and lounges that dot the area. From the very Bohemian, to the Chic image centered crowds, most tastes are covered. But don’t expect to find a Keg or Spur in the mix.

The only blot on the landscape is the Windermere Shopping centre, a 15 story beast that lacks any creative or architectural flair. Luckily from street level it is almost unnoticeable due to the dense tree cover that blocks out any view of it. But even it is attempting to blend in with the surroundings to a degree, and has opened stores that have external entrances, so as to compliment the outdoor feel of the surrounding area.

Pictures can only tell so much, and to properly understand the feel of the area, one has to walk its streets and soak up its energy. No wonder there is an abundance of creative talent in Durban, with inspiration that derives from precincts like this one.

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/16b9642b0b9f4d7d9bd306f9413824d4_2005-02-16_020.jpg

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/207f012fb9714d9e83742da4fdee0c35_2005-02-16_024.jpg

BBB - Bean Bag Bohemia - The Soul of the BoHo - Best late night bar around
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/2644aa87acf642a5b60dd8ca1c220d0d_2005-02-16_023.jpg

Naked - One of my Fav Durban Restuarants
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/7011c2375b754fdeb73e5a4d50706ccf_2005-03-01_024.jpg

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/f1f14a7213574a2e95ad71576f2fafc7_2005-03-01_013.jpg

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/06f8ebd315f149cdbe9f600b3196f64b_2005-03-01_014.jpg

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/531078faa8e24ea59e77c24a1951dfe4_2005-03-01_026.jpg

The upper windermere strip

Skanky Jacks
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/2d6de45fbb4840b68775a0f53ddafb70_2005-03-01_019.jpg

Baked - One of the Best For there amazing range of cakes...YUM
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/7c4b9553033c4c478a8131992f4c950a_2005-03-01_012.jpg

Home - The Funkyiest Bar i've ever seen. Chairs on the 3D walls, (will paste some indoor images soon!!!)
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/bc1b6cdf2bc84cb8abe68c360414743a_2005-03-01_023.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/92c3396dc74e4d74b88fe7ca85374d59_2005-03-01_015.jpg

Billy the BUMS - One of the longest standing Bars in Durbs, that lead to off shoots in Cape Town and Jozi. Best place to be after the rugga. Next to it is Skanky Jacks and Wonder Bar (Great Deep house nights on Sats)
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/f132f4e811ac477581616cdd078b31c3_2005-03-01_021.jpg

The interestingly painted building is Glass Blowing Heaven and incorporates Taco Zulu - A mexican restuarant started 2 years ago by 3 guys from california. Food and vibe is great. They have taken down the outside roofing in the pic cos they are renovating at the moment.
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/0f08602cb8da46bd852d87c23fee0352_2005-03-01_016.jpg

The heart of the design area
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/b3ca716455674191a4506ddc3fc7cc26_2005-02-16_012.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/af6478a346094bd79a8ded8fca982dd5_2005-02-16_014.jpg
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/6e596d50909c43a7a4e03d0991ba9f8f_2005-02-16_016.jpg

joburg

March 1st, 2005, 05:47 PM

Really nice Dysan... Keep them coming! :)

Never seen this part of Durbs before. Going down over easter so will be sure to check them out. Went to UShaka the last time I was there. Durbs is rockin' baby...! :)

Just one thing is missing though... what happened to those rickshaws they used to have on the Marine Parade? Do they still have them? They were legendary!

dysan1

March 1st, 2005, 10:43 PM

The rickshaws are still there, and all the rickshaw pullers have been licensed, so they are all registered with the tourist authorities... this has lead to there outfits being subsidised by the body. the big plus is that they are now dressed well and their rickshaws are in good working order.

The reason for these posts, and those to come, is to show that there is another side to durban that most gauteng tourists, and tourists in general miss. and its sad, cos this is the side of the city that is rapidly changing, and giving it a far more cosmopolitan feel.

Theres PLENTLY more to come

clive330

March 1st, 2005, 10:56 PM

Nice one Dysan - I am very interested to see all this. Avidly taking notes to impress foreign mates when I get there in a bit. The Berea really has huge potential that virtually no cities can match: Big, beautiful houses, high hills, views, palm trees, obvious wealth, its size - Umbilo to Morningside is a huge area, avenues of trees: and now great restaurants, bars and cafes.

I used to have a digs in Umbilo (reviled as Scumbilo at the time) but it actually was nicer than many celebrated inner city suburbs in Aus/NZ cities.

Was that special report written entirely by you? If so, you have a very smooth writing style - you'd have no problems in journalism...

NZer

March 2nd, 2005, 05:48 AM

Durban looks like a nice town,I would love to visit it one day.

What is that wierd structure in the bottom left side of the harbour picture(6th pic) in dysan's second post....?

clive330

March 2nd, 2005, 06:13 AM

I think thats the new lighthouse!

dysan1

March 2nd, 2005, 12:04 PM

yip it all comes straight from my mouth, no help from other sources... :)

I am a media/marketing/management student... and have started my own magazine that will be launching in May i durban, and if successful will spread nationwide. It is focussing on the lifestyle aspect of durban, an area that hasnt been given that much coverage in the local media, its normally joburg focussed.

Oh and the structure is known as the millenium tower. it houses the port control offices. more on it to come...

dysan1

March 2nd, 2005, 08:33 PM

Hey one and all... just some more city shots to keep you happy until the Florida road special report is ready. Give me a few days for that one.

View along esplanade from near Wilsons Whalf

http://www.golden-gun.de/durban%201.jpg

Durban at night from the Bluff

http://www.hornrabe-tours.de/photo_album/jo-burg%204/SA%20766%20Durban%20bei%20Nacht.JPG

The ICC and Hilton Hotel

http://www.golden-gun.de/durban%202.jpg

More images of the Hilton Hotel

http://www.golden-gun.de/durban%209.jpg

Different angles of the ICC

http://www.golden-gun.de/durban%203.jpg

Pier off North Beach

http://www.golden-gun.de/durban%205.jpg

The northern end of the Golden Mile - Towards Suncoast Casino. This end of the beach has seen the most dramatic price rises of the entire beachfront... up 350% in 4 years. Plans to demolish some of the buildings, with a Middle Eastern Backer wanting to put up multi-story blocks. Could be beautiful with shiney glass buildings there...

http://www.golden-gun.de/durban%207.jpg

Looking back at the cbd from the beachfront highrises

http://www.mgmt.dal.ca/sba/cibs/a014-photos/durban-sa-web.jpg

Durban in the distance from the fishing hot spot of blue lagoon

http://www.gsrtw.com/southafrica/north%20beach%20looking%20at%20durban%2011-11-02.jpg

Mo Rush

March 2nd, 2005, 09:27 PM

DURBAN ROCKS, i havent been there in year i better make a plan, ive flown to joburg, gone by ship, car, now i just gotta the train

datilguy

March 3rd, 2005, 04:44 AM

Dysan, great pics. Your own magazine?!?! You so totally ROCK!!! Its great to see the "other" side of Durbs. :)

dysan1

March 3rd, 2005, 06:25 PM

Mitchell and Jameson Parks

You wake up to a glorious Durban day. The humidity is down, the sun is shining away, and there is not a cloud in the sky. On Tuesday it was the recipe for a day at the beach, trying to learn how to surf, and failing hopelessly. But today I was hungry and in the mood for a day of relaxation since it is my day off from uni. Called some friends and it was decided that a day in Mitchell Park was in order.

Mitchell Park is one of the old stalwarts of Durban. She has been around from the early days, happy with her home at the top of Florida road. In the 1950’s she used to house the Durban zoo in a portion of the park, with elephants and the like fascinating both young and old. As the years wore on, the animals left and only the birds and tortoises remain, but the zoo is still a great place to go to occupy a few hours.

But today I was not going to the zoo, I was going to bask in the glorious Durban sun, and have a wonderful picnic lunch. But when I say picnic, I mean we ordered it from one of the restaurants bordering the park, but ate it lying on the grass, under the canopy of a vast swathe of trees.

Mitchell Park holds many memories for most of the citizens of Durban. We all have a time when we went there as kids, to play on the seesaw or swings, or to play hide and seek amongst the trees. And little has changed to this day. What has changed is the area bordering the park.

Across the road are a number of café’s. Boa Vista, which serves great buffets. Grill Room Café, with its subdued elegance and award winning chefs, is a winner on the restaurant scene. Mark Gold, the jeweller to the stars. Now when I say that, I mean it. Among the celebrities to wear his creations are David and Victoria Beckham, Will Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker among others. And if you want to sample the best cappuccino in Durban, Mark Gold’s café is the only place to go. But if you want an ice cream, the neighbouring Mozart is your heaven, with over 50 flavours to choose from…

The atmosphere of these café’s is truly special, but it is set apart from the rest by the magical ambience that is contributed by Mitchell Park.

Mitchell Park is however not the only park in this green heart of the city. Across the road is Jameson Park. It may not offer as many trees and dense foliage as Mitchell does, but its rose gardens more than compensate for that. Jameson is also home to the cities main Christmas tree over the holiday period.

With my belly full of lunch, I took hold of a swing, and travelled back in time…

Mitchell Park

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/3441e03ce46c4630a7e25132474ab345_2005-03-03_005.jpg

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/7c8332a676a24eb787d39eede6fc2075_2005-03-03_007.jpg

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/0f4013ea56b74edb9f9010c44e7684d1_2005-03-03_006.jpg

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/2f3fd96903dc42c6a88290b90f4cfd43_2005-03-03_046.jpg

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/a8d56883ee204af6a51140404a68ad58_2005-03-03_037.jpg

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/9e3d5d0355874ed3b979f4690f93cdad_2005-03-03_015.jpg

Jameson Park

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/c8d84db1a88a47f0809e3138ad428c81_2005-03-03_040.jpg

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/7bb229a2101c49f8aa071ec6c4436ecd_2005-03-03_042.jpg

The restaurants opposite the parks
http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/28fe2a4285934032b4624bb69034ed4d_2005-03-03_044.jpg

clive330

March 3rd, 2005, 09:18 PM

Where is Jameson park - never heard of it. Is it adjoined to Mitchell Park?

dysan1

March 3rd, 2005, 09:26 PM

Its across the road from mitchell park mate

SA BOY

March 4th, 2005, 05:16 AM

It goes up from the intersection of innes and florida road, great views of the city from the top of the hill, spend many mornings there as a comedown from 330 many moons ago

mike2005

March 4th, 2005, 10:33 PM

SYDNEY

March 5th, 2005, 07:26 AM

Hey great thread. Just a question becasue I am planning to visit the City in the summer. The parks look great but are they safe to wonder rouind in and have a sunbathe? I will be staying on Glenashly beach. Is that a nice beach and is it safe to stay in. I read in the paper the other day how the Golden Mile is a bit dodgey but the rest of durbs is rocking. Is this true? Any info on what to do/ where to go would be greatly appreciated. My email is bafana94@hotmail.com

For somebody that was telling me how you are not worried about crime, you sure are panicking. It's a great Country when all you think about is how safe an area is or how safe parks are :) Keep touching wood and I wish you a safe and pleasant holiday.

SYDNEY

March 5th, 2005, 09:52 AM

:redx:

mike2005

March 5th, 2005, 02:01 PM

Everyone has to be realistic about crime. If I were going to LA or New York I would ask the same questions as I have been about Durbs. I cant believe you think litter/bad driving/muggings only happen cape town and that is because its 'african' (for that read black) Have you EVER bean to LA/London/Berlin/Rome/Paris/New York? They are equally dirty if not more so than CPT. In fact I took a stroll down St Georges Mall and didnt see any litter and suprise suprise didnt get mugged!!! Then I took a relaxing stroll to De\Waterkant and yes Iam still here and so is my wallet!!! To say things such as you are going to burn your SA passport is just crap. As for your friend who bought a house and left after three weeks, I find that so hard to believe. I have 5 friends from London who are brits and now have houses in the capeand love it. Again I guess you are very bitter person and determined to run down a country cos you are secretly so sad you are leaving. If you hate SA so much please dont come back to this forum, instead go to one of those bitter and pathetic Ex pat sites. Please this is a forum for those who LOVE SA and want to celebrate its progress, not one for those who want to run it down at every oppertunity.

dysan1

March 5th, 2005, 03:22 PM

Ignore the bitter gandalf, i dont want him polluting every damn page with his negativity.

You brought up some good points that i didnt bring up.

Firstly with regards to the parks. They are VERY safe. they are in the morningside area, one of the best and safest of the city. I go to Mitchell Park at least once a week and there are always people tanning, picnicing and generally strolling around. The vibe is great and there are 5 restaurants and few shops just around the edges of the park, and one great cafe in the middle of the park where you can relax under the gorgeous trees. I can promise you now, that crime there is not a problem. walking anywhere on the berea in durban is trouble free. do it all the time for the great views and not once has there been any incident. Also i feel people in durban are far less concerned with crime than our cousins in jozi and ct, we're more relaxed.

With regards Glenashley beach, i dont think you could have made a better choice if you tried. Glenashley is a suburb between Durban North and La Lucia and provides some of the best views of the city. The strip of homes along the beach are in a fantastic position, literally on the sand itself. The strip is currently experiencing a renovation explosion. of the 30 homes on the beach, 23 have been altered and modernised in the last 2 years, and another 5 are u/c at the moment. They all offer the perfect beach environment, with little crowds.

The reason i said glenashley was a good choice, was that it is relatively unknown to most people, even most durbanites. It is not built up like umhlanga and durban beachfront, nor does it have the hoards of visitors like those two. its a quiet residential area. Having said that, the beach is not a swimming beach, for there is no lifeguard. the beach is favoured by fishermen and you will see alot of them there in the early morning and late evening. The only problem with glenashley beach is that it neighbours the virginia airport and the houses are in the flight path of the small planes that use the facility. but i know that they cant take off before 6am or after 9pm. But most of the day you will be out and about, so no need to really worry.

With homes starting at R3million in Glenashley beach, it is not a poor run down area. Most homes dont have walls, to take advantage of the sea views, so security i'm sure is not an issue, otherwise they would have barricaded themselves in. Another thing in Glenashley's favour is its location. Umhlanga is 5km along the highway, or the coastal road that runs from glenashley to umhlanga past some of the most expensive real estate in south africa. You really wont believe some of the homes and they all open directly onto the beach. another option is to walk along the beach to umhlanga. a great walk which i recommend for the great city views and the chance to peak into the gardens of some of those massive homes. Also durban and morningside is only 15km in the other direction, so glenashley is close to both, with a great highway serving the area.

Glenashley was actually going to be one of my next featured areas! so i'll put the photos up for you to see.

In terms of restaurants. about 500m back from the beach (and it is very safe to walk there at night even) is a restaurant complex with an italian, thai, chinese and greek restaurants. plus a great pub with good sea views and a few minor stores. Also a two minute drive away is the La Lucia Mall with its large variety of stores.

And if you're staying in the guest house there that i think you'll be in, its great. stayed there myself. If there is anymore you want, just let me know

mike2005

March 5th, 2005, 04:27 PM

Awsome Dysan thanks. I cant wait to get to Durbs it sounds superb. My cousin in Joburg goes there regularly and loves it. In terms of weather will it be ok in August? I know CPT can be a bit crap in August with rain etc but I have heard that in Durbs it is different. I have only been living in SA for a year so dont really know the Natal area very well. Keep up this thread it is awsome: great to see that one of SA's major cities is going from strength to strength. It was your thread that made me decide to pay durbs a visit cos it looks so cool.

dysan1

March 5th, 2005, 04:56 PM

thanx mate, i try my best! Actually got a message from some guy in Switzerland the other day who said that he was coming to see durbs cos of the pics, made me smile cos he had never heard of durban before that! :) Slowly people are taking notice of us and soon we'll give ct good competition, cos the prices there are absolutely ridiculous and it is pissing people off. And negative word of mouth publicity will hurt them badly without a doubt! Whereas durbs is still good value and it is jacking up its image, infrastructure, and tourist amenities and as such is getting far greater focus internationally in tourist guides. I believe that uShaka was the best thing to EVER happen to durban, it must be seen to be believed.

So i'll keep posting, to tempt more of you to come round to the warm indian ocean waters of durbs! :)

I havent even begun to show you what this city really offers...

Durbs has far better weather than the rest of the country at that time of the year. Our main rainy time is end september through to january. Anytime between April and september is durbans finest in terms of weather. In august the nights will be cool +/- 10C and the days will vary between the odd "cold" one at 14C up to 25C, but averaging around 20C. so you can still go swim in the sea, tan on the beach and enjoy the winter sun, with no humidity!

clive330

March 9th, 2005, 05:19 AM

As reported in Australian and British papers:

Soweto's extreme makeover
By Andrew Meldrum
Soweto
March 9, 2005

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With Soweto now a desirable place to live, old houses are selling briskly.

The South African township whose uprising became a turning point in the struggle against apartheid is enjoying a property boom.

House prices in Soweto rose by more than 35 per cent last year, on top of an average annual increase of 16 per cent since 2000, Standard Bank reported.

Once starved of development funds, Soweto now has new roads, street lights, water systems and transport as the result of 850 million rand ($A183 million) spent by the Johannesburg City Council.

Crime is lower than in many former whites-only suburbs, and there are no electric security fences. "Over the past couple of years Soweto has improved dramatically," said Jerry Gaesale Setlhare, the owner of a transport business.

"I am proud of Soweto. It has more life to it than the white suburbs. When this house came up, I grabbed it."

Mr Setlhare remodelled his house to include a three-storey atrium, a curving granite staircase, a swimming pool and a state-of-the-art kitchen. "Property values are increasing, so we can expect a good return on our investment," he said.

Alex Molomo, an agent for Realty Executives, said: "It used to be difficult to sell a property in Soweto, but now we are able to sell a house within three days because of growing demand."

Advertisement
AdvertisementBut large parts of Soweto remain in poverty, and shacks and shanties still prevail. "Zola and Emdeni are rougher areas, but even they are improving," Mr Molomo said. "People are buying two-room houses and expanding them."

Retail developers are following the property boom. The new Southgate and Dobsonville malls are bustling with shoppers. Five more malls are planned. Surveys show that Soweto residents spend 80 per cent of their 4.2 billion rand disposable income outside the township.

The places where violent incidents of racial oppression occurred have been commemorated as historic sites and the homes of former residents, famous and infamous, have become tourist attractions, including the Mandela family home museum, where Nelson Mandela lived and practised as a lawyer in the 1960s.

Crime is lower than in many former whites-only suburbs, and there are no electric security fences.Nearby is the home of fellow Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

"Even now people still remember that Soweto was the centre of the struggle," Mr Molomo said.

"We are very, very proud of that. We don't want to be bitter. We want to be relaxed and feel good. We want to improve Soweto. We don't want to go away."

- Guardian

dysan1

March 9th, 2005, 06:48 PM

Thought that this picture showed a great angle of the city

http://www.kzntopbusiness.co.za/foreword/images/Econom15.jpg

dysan1

March 9th, 2005, 06:52 PM

oh and if i havent gone on about glorious Gateway yet... i'm getting there.

This shows the Palm Boulevard, where most of the development of apartments is taking place. Gateway is on the left

http://www.kzntopbusiness.co.za/foreword/images/Econom16.jpg

dysan1

March 9th, 2005, 07:32 PM

More on the beachfront

The Holiday Inn Marine Parade

http://www.africapictures.com/04landscapescenery/durban/durbanholidayinn-Mvc-DurHolInnNightCity.jpg

Beach looking north to durban north

http://www.africapictures.com/04landscapescenery/durban/durbanholidayinn-Mvc-DurBeachNorthday2.jpg

Beach at night

http://www.africapictures.com/04landscapescenery/durban/durbanholidayinn-Mvc-DurBeachNthnight2.jpg

joburg

March 9th, 2005, 10:03 PM

I have only been living in SA for a year so dont really know the Natal area very well.

You should experience the countryside too! The KZN Midlands are beautiful! You should also go check out the Drakensberg and the Oribi Gorge. And don't forget Mpumalanga... The Kruger Park and the Blyde River Canyon are so so so so soooo beautiful!

Pule

March 10th, 2005, 07:35 AM

dysan1

March 13th, 2005, 02:52 PM

Durban Inner City - An Update

The old Railway building, now Tourist Junction

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/cityhall.jpg

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/pic6.jpg

City Hall

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/cityhall2.jpg

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/pic1.jpg

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/pic28.jpg

http://goafrica.about.com/library/gallery/durban/24.jpg

http://www.bookinafrica.com/images-product/Royal-Outn-5104-MAIN.jpg

The Post Office and Clock Tower

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/clocktower.jpg

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/street.jpg

Monuments around the City Hall

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/pic4.jpg

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/pic3.jpg

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/pic2.jpg

http://goafrica.about.com/library/gallery/durban/25.jpg

Buildings

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/pic7.jpg

http://www.durban.co.za/includes/dbn/factfile/photogallery/pic8.jpg

ICC in foreground...looking at Embassy Building

http://goafrica.about.com/library/gallery/durban/18.jpg

http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/dolgozo/zentail/ut/rsa/durban/im004323.jpg

Looking back at the city from the Beachfront

http://www.africapictures.com/04landscapescenery/durban/durbanholidayinn-Mvc-Durdowntown2.jpg

http://www.geog.psu.edu/courses/geog420/Photos/Durban/Durban/image/image3.jpg

http://www.geog.psu.edu/courses/geog420/Photos/Durban/Durban/image/image2.jpg

CBD from the Workshop

http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/dolgozo/zentail/ut/rsa/durban/im004311.jpg

http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/dolgozo/zentail/ut/rsa/durban/im004312.jpg

http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/dolgozo/zentail/ut/rsa/durban/im004308.jpg

Reserve Bank Building

http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/dolgozo/zentail/ut/rsa/durban/im004305.jpg

dysan1

March 13th, 2005, 03:03 PM

Oh Mike i Found this picture and thought it would be of interest to you

This picture is of the Northern Suburbs of Durban. Below are the Suburbs of Glenashley and to the left, the start of La Lucia. On the right of the picture (near the engine) is Virginia Airport. And to the left of it, on the beach, is Glenashley Beach.

http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/dolgozo/zentail/ut/rsa/durban/im004170.jpg

This picture is of the areas further north. Showing parts of La Lucia Ridge, La Lucia Gardens, and the start of the La Lucia Ridge Office Estate.

http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/dolgozo/zentail/ut/rsa/durban/im004169.jpg

Finally i thought that this picture of Gateway, The City Lodge and vacant land that occupies the Palm Boulevard would show you all what the scale of the development at the palm boulevard will take on. The vacant land in the picture next to the city lodge is all under construction. With 14 cranes up there at the moment working on 7 buildings.

http://www.geog.psu.edu/courses/geog420/Photos/Durban/Durban/image/image1.jpg

HirakataShi

March 14th, 2005, 03:15 AM

amazing

dysan1

March 15th, 2005, 03:44 PM

To give you a small idea of what the view from the La Lucia Ridge Office Estate is like.

The Building on the left is unilever south africa's head office... more on it to come :)

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/422db9ffzdce3552b/8b13/__sr_/7247.jpg?phuavNCBQuFNxaHU

dysan1

March 18th, 2005, 07:23 AM

Pietermaritzburg has possibly the best collection of architecture to found in any city in South Africa... the city is full of victorian and edwardian masterpieces.

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/1904/durban_2_2_039.jpg
http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryaloes.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryberg10.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryberg1.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryberg11.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryberg12.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryberg2.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryberg4.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryberg5.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryberg8.jpg
http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerystatue.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerypublicityhouse.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerygovbuilding.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerymoon.jpg http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/3301/cathedralpeak.jpg http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/3301/drakensburg.jpg http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/1500/img_4410.jpg http://www.maths.bris.ac.uk/~mafjh/Amphitheatre.jpg
http://boostdam.tripod.com/SA-2004/SA_20040209e-PieterMaritzburg.jpg
ONE OF THE OLD CHURHES IN PMB
http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerychurch.jpg

http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerycity.jpg

PMB CITY HALL

http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerycityhall4.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerycityhall7.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerycityhall8.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerycityhall6.jpg http://www.travelpost.com/AF/South_Africa/Kwazulu-Natal/Pietermaritzburg/Pietermaritzburg_12677_0_02192005_160202_500.jpg http://www.suedafrika.net/natgifs/G2PM1.jpg http://www.gardenroute.co.za/pietermaritzburg/cityhall.jpg http://www.afrikaaktuell.de/Suedafrika/KwazuluNatal/GifsJpegs/Pietermaritzburg2.jpg

CLUB HOUSE AT PMB GOLF CLUB

http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryclubhouse.jpg

CLUBHOUSE AT THE OVAL CRICKET GROUND

http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryclubhouse2.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryclubhouse3.jpg

MIDMAR DAM

http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerydam.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerydam2.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerymidlands7.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerymidmar1.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerymidmar2.jpg

MIDLANDS

http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerymidlands5.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/gallerywaterfall.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryriders.jpg http://www.suedafrika-guide.de/img/bildderwoche/060_kzn_pietermaritzburg.jpg http://www.tourism-kzn.org/picttour/pics/midlands.jpg http://www.tourism-kzn.org/picttour/pics/rawdons.jpg

HOWICK FALLS

http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryhowick1.jpg http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za/includes/pmb/factfile/photogallery/galleryhowick2.jpg http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/5711/howick-panorama-small.jpg

PMB PARLIAMENT

http://www.geschichte-suedafrika.de/geschichteSA/infosa_java/Album/PMteilparlamentsgebude.jpg

SA BOY

March 18th, 2005, 07:57 AM

dysan1

March 18th, 2005, 09:15 AM

will do... planning to go up this wknd for nick... so will do us all a favour and photogragh the BEAUTIFUL CITY that is PMB

dysan1

March 18th, 2005, 02:25 PM

http://www.cconline.org.za/images/townhall1.jpg
http://www.cconline.org.za/images/golden.jpg
http://www.cconline.org.za/images/temple.jpg
http://www.cconline.org.za/images/front2.jpg
http://www.cconline.org.za/images/front.jpg
http://www.cconline.org.za/images/dbnair.jpg

Q-TIP

March 18th, 2005, 02:47 PM

Good to see the transformation, when I visited in December /January. Only saw relatives in Jo'burg/Maritzburg/Durban. I have noticed a change specially while driving around Soweto. Been 8 long years.... :)

dysan1

March 18th, 2005, 04:21 PM

welcome to the forum mate :) U did have some great comments on the bridge page, so to hear from u here would be great!

ciao :)

clive330

March 21st, 2005, 12:25 AM

Some intresting midlands facts.
Howick falls is the 2nd tallest waterfall in the world
And the PMB town hall wa the largest brick building in the world

Next time you there mike please get some maritzburg pics for us of the buildings there

Just a little factual correction (we dont want to oversell too much ;))

- Howick falls isnt anywhere near the 2nd tallest waterfall in the world - you must be thinking about the Tugela waterfall - that tiny trickle over a huge cliff.
- The PMB town hall wasnt and isnt the largest brick building in the world. Hampton Court Palace, made of brick, is far larger and was built 500 years ago...

SA BOY

March 21st, 2005, 09:36 AM

corrected
Name
Height (sort)
Tallest Drop (sort)
State
Country

1 .
Angel, Salto
3,212 feet / 979 meters
2,648 ft / 807 m
Bolivar
Venezuela

2 .
Tugela Falls
3,110 feet / 948 meters
1,350 ft / 411 m
Kwazulu Natal
South Africa

Howick Falls Howick Falls
364 feet

Kwazulu Natal
South Africa
So they are tiny. Me sorry

dysan1

March 21st, 2005, 12:27 PM

Gateway was the driving factor behind the formulation of the New Town Centre. When the centre opened in September 2001 it was the largest first phase centre to be opened in the southern hemisphere and was the largest centre in Africa.

It had its initial teething problems, for many people in the retail industry did not believe that a centre of its size was needed. So in the beginning there were many empty stores. However times have changed and the centre has already been through three expansion programs adding 6000m2 for Edgars, 7000m2 for Game and 1500m2 for Foshcini.

At present the centre is undergoing further expansion to accomodate a landmark planet fitness gym near the wavehouse, extentions to fit International Bank Vaults and a 1000m2 expansion to Truworths.

Once all these expansion projects are complete the centre would have grown from its initial 127 000m2 to 150 000m2, placing it far ahead of any of its competitors.

Gateway is the destination for shopping in Durban and includes all the top national stores plus a huge contingent of international ones: Hugo Boss, La Coste, Timberland, Guess, Swatch, Fossil, Quicksilver, Billabong, O'neill, Rockport,Toys r us, Reebok, Nike, Addidas, Nine West... the list goes on and on.

It also has the busiest cinema complex in africa, attracting over 2 million cinema goers each year to its 18 Ster Kinekor cinemas. It also has 5 Cinema Nouveau screens, IMAX and The Barnyard Theatre. As well as 3 nightclubs, and over 50 restaurants and cafes. It also has the only double break wave machine in the world at the wavehouse, and the highest indoor climbing wall in the world too!

As the town develops around the centre, its foot traffic will continue to grow. In its first week of opening, 1 million people visited the centre. In its first year 23 million people visited, and last year that figure had risen to 25million people. Projections are that Gateway will attract 30 million people annually by the end of 2007.

http://www.sued-afrika.org/images/gateway1.jpg
http://www.sued-afrika.org/images/gateway2.jpg
http://www.sued-afrika.org/foto/gateway3.jpg
http://www.sued-afrika.org/images/gateway4.jpg
http://www.sued-afrika.org/images/gateway5.jpg
http://www.sued-afrika.org/foto/gateway6.jpg

The palm court - with many restaurants

http://www.patrick-kaufhold.de/rsa0302_ballito/rsa0302_ballito3.jpg

The Wavehouse

http://www.wavehouse.co.za/html/downloads/greglaz_800.jpg
http://www.tostee.com/images/galleries/flowboard/flowboard_02.jpg http://www.tostee.com/images/galleries/flowboard/flowboard_03.jpg http://www.tostee.com/images/galleries/flowboard/flowboard_01.jpg http://www.tostee.com/images/galleries/flowboard/flowboard_08.jpg

clive330

March 22nd, 2005, 12:22 AM

Heheh i think Howick is pretty big! Both Angel and Tugela are like a hose pipe off table mountain - not exactly fuckoff awesome even if its high.

I think Howick is far higher than Niagra falls and a bit higher than Vic falls; although those falls have a lot more volume.

dysan1

March 22nd, 2005, 09:58 AM

the howick falls is a beauty :)

dysan1

March 25th, 2005, 08:41 PM

Much has been said about all the new development that has taken place in Umhlanga over the past few years that has placed it as one of the premier business nodes in South Africa. But we have given scant attention to the original Umhlanga, the Umhlanga Village, where it all began.

The strip of apartments and hotels that line the Umhlanga coast command some of the highest prices in the country and offer their residents views all the way to the bluff headland. But none of the apartment buildings are so recognisable to act as an icon for the area. That job is left to the Umhlanga lighthouse. Established in 1956 when the original Durban lighthouse made way for two separate ones, the Umhlanga lighthouse has served as the primary icon for the region. Its distinctive red and white paint have endeared it to generations of visitors and provided many a photo opportunity to mark ones stay in Umhlanga.

Since the arrival of Gateway, one could be forgiven for thinking that that is where dining and shopping in the area end. Yet those who live in Umhlanga can tell you otherwise. The village has a wide variety of restaurants, and a growing selection of cafes and bars. In the last 2 years the area has started to come into its own, as more and more people move into the area. Previously drab centres have been renovated, and tables have spilled out onto the pavements. At present the municipality is involved in a major upgrade program for the village, redesigning the street furnishings, the planting of palms and gardens, and the general improvement of the feel of the area. This confidence has spilled over into the investor community, which has lead to the opening of many new ventures in the village. Some of the old favourites are slowly starting to disappear, to be replaced with funky bars and al fresco dining. In the last 6 months alone, 7 new restaurants have opened and at present there are 2 bars and another restaurant u/c, all targeted at the well healed Umhlanga community.

Umhlanga boosts a good selection of hotels, from the ultra glam Beverly Hills and neighbouring Oyster Box, to the Cabana’s, The Sands, The Breakers and The Protea. One must not forget the large array of guesthouses and B&B’s that are to be found in Umhlanga too.

And with Umhlanga clearly positioned as one of The Places to live in South Africa, I can only see things going from strength to strength.

http://www.gsrtw.com/southafrica/durban%20city%20in%20the%20background%2011-11-02.jpg

http://www.gsrtw.com/southafrica/durban%20south%20africa%20002.jpg

http://www.gsrtw.com/southafrica/durban%20south%20africa%20003.jpg

http://www.golden-gun.de/durban%204.jpg

http://www.golden-gun.de/durban%2015.jpg

http://www.golden-gun.de/durban%2016.jpg

http://www.flyza.com/Assets/images/popups-thumbs/pu_durban2.jpg

http://www.flyza.com/Assets/images/popups-thumbs/pu_umhlanga-rocks-lighthouse.jpg

http://www.meynells.com/images/SA-Umhlanga.JPG

http://www.worldlights.com/world/umhlang.jpg

http://www.lighthouseapartments.co.za/images/lighth_03.jpg

http://www.oysterbox.co.za/images/photos/big/pool_2004_640x480.jpg

http://www.oysterbox.co.za/images/photos/big/light-house-pic.jpg

http://www.oysterbox.co.za/images/photos/big/Pool_640.jpg

http://www.oysterbox.co.za/images/photos/big/Suite_600x600.jpg

http://www.lighthouseapartments.co.za/images/pan1_01.jpghttp://www.lighthouseapartments.co.za/images/pan2_02.jpghttp://www.lighthouseapartments.co.za/images/pan3_03.jpg

http://www.lighthouseapartments.co.za/images/balcony.jpg

http://www.lighthouseapartments.co.za/images/building.jpg

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/422db9ffzdce3552b/8b13/__sr_/56a9.jpg?ph5qGRCBI6g1ce8i

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/422db9ffzdce3552b/8b13/__sr_/839a.jpg?ph5qGRCBtVp8gIN9

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/422db9ffzdce3552b/8b13/__sr_/15eb.jpg?ph5qGRCBfhZbODZK

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/422db9ffzdce3552b/8b13/__sr_/37c3.jpg?ph5qGRCBu6Y8FE6z

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/422db9ffzdce3552b/8b13/__sr_/841c.jpg?ph5qGRCBwVhnG6Q3

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/422db9ffzdce3552b/8b13/__sr_/4713.jpg?ph5qGRCBAlPUIRYo

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/422db9ffzdce3552b/8b13/__sr_/cabf.jpg?ph5qGRCBZxr4fckm

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/422db9ffzdce3552b/8b13/__sr_/ab48.jpg?ph5qGRCBZBvvmQs9

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/422db9ffzdce3552b/8b13/__sr_/4dd5.jpg?ph5qGRCB6nMV5WXz

datilguy

March 25th, 2005, 09:49 PM

Gateway is HUGE!!!! Sounds amazing. Soit must have cost a fortune.

dysan1

March 26th, 2005, 09:01 AM

Cost R2 billion! Thats not including the extentions that have taken place

dysan1

March 26th, 2005, 03:55 PM

This pic was on the front page of the Independent on Saturday today.

Durbs, showing SA what formula one street racing is all about. It was to promote the Durban Motor show, as well as the Grand Prix Masters.

Streets of Durban were packed with people.

http://www.tios.co.za/site/31/picdb/1/b/46892

Hoferat

March 27th, 2005, 02:54 AM

I think thats the new lighthouse!

Its not a lighthouse, but I think its called the millenium tower. Dont know what it is though.

dysan1

March 27th, 2005, 10:26 AM

The millenium tower is the operations base for the port traffic control. They control all the ship movements in and out of the harbour. There is actually a public viewing deck in the tower, but it is not yet open to the public, for there is no way that the public can reach the site as it is in a milatary base at present. But there are plans to open it to the public in the years ahead. The views of durban from there are incredible.

The tower is at its best at night. All the lighting that it has really makes it stand out on the durban skyline.

NZer

March 29th, 2005, 07:15 AM

Some of those peaks in the Drakensberg Mts. look almost impossible to climb,has anyone here been hiking in that area at all?

SA BOY

March 29th, 2005, 09:11 AM

yip , its a great place, Cathederal peak is where i have hiked and its stunning in spring, not too cold and warm days. The mountain springs are very sweet

dysan1

March 29th, 2005, 11:20 AM

Photo's of the Umhlanga area from the air.

This is the Eastern Side of the La Lucia Ridge Office Estate

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/89fc1dc8ce5c4147a44a1fe05451b037_copy_of_la_lucia_ridge_offices.jpg

This is a view of gateway and the greater new town centre before development commenced

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/7c290cc7333d40119c98138b8308ef0a_gateway_to_triangle.jpg

This is Sibaya Casino in Umhloti. The first collection of high rises is Umhlanga...the ones in the distance are Durban

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/0239298475974b88a6dc893bd6d7df9b_copy_of_sibaya_to_durbs.jpg

SA BOY

April 2nd, 2005, 11:56 AM

next instaulment please!!!!!

SA BOY

April 2nd, 2005, 12:02 PM

The 4 buildings in front of the delouite building were built by 1 SA BOY many moons ago. We were the 2nd builg site and the whole are was just cane at that time. good to see what i started...
Photo's of the Umhlanga area from the air.

This is the Eastern Side of the La Lucia Ridge Office Estate

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/89fc1dc8ce5c4147a44a1fe05451b037_copy_of_la_lucia_ridge_offices.jpg

This is a view of gateway and the greater new town centre before development commenced

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/7c290cc7333d40119c98138b8308ef0a_gateway_to_triangle.jpg

This is Sibaya Casino in Umhloti. The first collection of high rises is Umhlanga...the ones in the distance are Durban

http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/ad1840da-9d26-4d70-9acf-72db6ee3e76d/raw/0239298475974b88a6dc893bd6d7df9b_copy_of_sibaya_to_durbs.jpg

dysan1

April 2nd, 2005, 01:37 PM

The Gateway pic is a bit outdated, there are now 22 construction sites there and about 6 more completed buildings.

But thought the pics showed a great angle of the new side of durban

clive330

April 4th, 2005, 12:06 AM

I am suprised there is so much canefield left with views of the sea! Surely that property must be absolutely golden

SA BOY

April 4th, 2005, 07:01 AM

clive330

April 4th, 2005, 07:03 AM

Morelands have stated that they will not build on the canefield directly infront of the umhlunga hospital so there will be an awesome green belt left there, even thoufgh that has possibly the best views in durban

yeah, until the next CEO wants to cover up some losses for that year ;)

There definitely needs to be some public green spaces though!

dysan1

April 4th, 2005, 09:42 AM

Umm...ur both wrong. Development on those canefields starts in 6 months time. That is the area known as the Umhlanga Triangle and will house 2000 residential units, 4 hotels, and 15% of the land will be used for commercial buildings. Not all the land will be developed and there will be 2 big parks in the new development area.

But the view from Umhlanga Rocks drive is to remain, the buildings may not impede that.

SA BOY

April 4th, 2005, 11:37 AM

Then things have changed quite dramatically on the master palnning as it was always left alone when I was working on edgecombe park.
Its a pity as its the lungs of the area with sweeping cane all around. Its going to cost a bomb what ever is built there.

SYDNEY

April 4th, 2005, 02:32 PM

Those cane fields look so beautiful - at least some of it must be left as "heritage", wasn't Durban built on sugar-cane ? maybe an exaggeration :) but it must have played a key role.

dysan1

April 4th, 2005, 05:15 PM

it was always their plan to leave the most valuable land til the end...and it is by far the most valuable land in durban.

There are still going to be green areas, but obviously loadsa apartments too. Prices there will be the steepest in the area, for the views are incredible and everything is on ur doorstep.

they have already got a hyatt planned for some of the land and two massive office blocks. Plus many more apartments in the price league of the pearls, but not high rise. Then there are single plots, like on umhlanga ridge near me, these will go from R2,5m for the land.

Pule

April 13th, 2005, 10:30 AM

Bara's key
transport node on track
WORK is forging ahead on the City's spectacular Baragwanath rank, with new bus and taxi facilities and market stalls for informal traders now in place.

April 12, 2005
By Tabisa Mntengwana

WORK on the Baragwanath taxi rank - one of the busiest transport nodes in the country - is on track, with the third phase nearing completion.

The Baragwanath Public Transport Facility and Traders Market project, implemented by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) for Johannesburg's Department Of Development Planning, Transportation And Environment, forms a crucial part of the economic development of the area.

"A large majority of Soweto residents must pass through the transport facility in order to get to and from work and home," according to the JDA.

The Baragwanath Public Transport Facility is being built along Old Potchefstroom Road, extending east towards the main pedestrian bridge to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and west towards the Lesedi Clinic.

The upgrade includes extensive rank space for taxis and buses, trading facilities for vendors, and safe walkways for pedestrians. "The construction of the new facilities will provide present and future commuters with a more pleasant experience," says JDA's development manager Robert Bathke. "We encourage commuters to make use of the facilities."

An amount of R100-million has been allocated for the whole project, which was divided into five separate, successive phases.

Work began in 2003 with the realignment of Old Potchefstroom Road, the extension of pedestrian bridges, the construction of walkways, and the building of meeting rooms and toilets.

Phase two followed, with the construction of the first taxi holding area, which has more than 220 bays. Walkways and trading and ablution facilities in the same section were also completed. Small offices and meeting rooms have also been constructed.

A total of R20-million was spent on the first two phases.

Phase three nears an end
Now the third phase - costing R32-million - is drawing to a close. Work should be complete in August 2005. A further 216 taxi bays will be added to the infrastructure along with 20 bus bays and 25 long distance taxi bays.
This phase includes the construction of walkways with integrated informal trading facilities as well as toilets, recreation facilities and meeting rooms.

According to a press release the major priority of the project is to provide hawker stalls to informal traders that have been operating at the rank for a long time and also accommodate all transport vehicles.

Bathke adds that the walkways will provide a safe, pleasant and shaded cover for pedestrians and commuters.

Two more phases are still in the pipeline.

Phase four, which is due to begin towards the end of 2005, will cost R39-million. It involves work on the main taxi loading area and market stalls for informal traders. This phase will see the construction of 129 single lane bays, 91 double lane bays and two taxi ranks.

The final phase will see security measures being put in place, including the upgrading of the pedestrian bridges as well as the installation of CCTV and lighting along Old Potchefstroom Road.

An important aspect of the development is the use of local labour as well as small, medium and micro enterprises from the area.

Work is expected to be complete on the Baragwanath rank - the main terminus for commuters and consumers in Soweto - by the end of 2006.

Pule

April 20th, 2005, 11:51 AM

It seems like the project to rejuvenate Evaton, on of the old Vaal Townships. I tried by all means to get an info regarding this and I failed. There will be a new retail constrcution in Evaton and it will be called Evaton Plaza. The newly placed advertising board says the Plaza will consist of retails hops, resturants etc. There will be parking aound the plaza and its location will be easily accesible by every mean of transport except the rail. As soon as I get more info I will definately inform you.

Still on that note I must say guys that I wish that the could be a new company that will take over the rail transport of SA. I mean if you have to check the rail staions and their routes around Gauteng, you will then realize how filthy they are. The traijns themselves are not clean and they expecting us to use them?

clive330

April 21st, 2005, 12:36 AM

Dont the trains get filthy because the passengers mess them up?

People must take responsibility for the environment they create.

Pule

April 21st, 2005, 08:55 AM

Yes, I do not disgree with that but the company must also be responsible enough to hire people who cleans their stations. When often do you see Metro people cleaning the stations. The taxi ranks gets more filthy than the train stations, but there are people who clean them everytime. I must say there is no excuse for that.

Pule

April 21st, 2005, 12:23 PM

Orange Farm is poised for development as developers move to explore the retail development potential for the area between Johannesburg and Vereeniging. “This is one of the fastest growing residential areas in the country and very far from formal shopping facilities,” says Steven Herring of Heriot Properties.

“There is strong retail demand. Probably 10% of the Johannesburg population lives in Orange Farm and they must travel to the cities to shop. It’s a growing township and it was only a matter of time before developers started to service this neglected market,” says Herring. The Johannesburg CBD is 45 km to the north and Vereeniging CBD 29 km to the south.

Construction on the 15 000 sqm Palm Springs Mall – Palm Springs is a suburb of Orange Farm – is to start in May 2005 and be completed end October 2005. “The centre can in no way be regarded as second rate. It is certainly a major investment in the area and will have an upmarket visual appeal, featuring high quality finishes and air conditioning,” says Herring.

There is a huge demand for a shopping centre in the area as Evaton and Orange Farm currently has a population of about 400 000 people, which represents about 102 000 housing units. The area is showing substantial growth and is expanding at almost 4% per annum. The number of housing units is expected to increase to almost 110 000 by 2008. This represents an annual growth of more than 2 000 housing units per annum.

“We have secured a large supermarket chain as an anchor tenant,” says Mark Berman of SoundRock Property Consultants. SoundRock is responsible for determining the optimum tenant mix, letting and tenant installation. “The success of any shopping centre depends on getting the right mix of tenants and positioning them correctly. We have already let at least 80% of the centre and have secured a good mix of retailers ranging from full banking services (not just ATMs) to clothing and furniture stores to cellphones, fast food franchises, post office, pharmacy – and even an Internet café is being planned. There will be a medical centre including a doctor, optician and dentist, as well as a hairdresser. We can still accommodate several retailers who will strengthen the strong convenience bias of the centre.”

No development in Orange Farm would be complete without a BEE component. Palm Springs Mall is a joint venture between Heriot Properties (Pty) Ltd and Sakhisizwe Holdings (Pty) Ltd. Says Sakhisizwe chairman Mlungisi Hlongwane: “The people of Palm Springs are very excited about the mall. They have witnessed the growth of surrounding townships and have felt neglected. The R80 million investment is the largest ever into that township. During the building phase temporary jobs will be created, but the contribution to job creation will not only be temporary as jobs will be created by the centre and the skills transfer during construction will assist residents in participating in similar projects elsewhere. There are also ample opportunities for local suppliers.”

“All the national retailers have seen the potential for growing their businesses, but the project will contribute to the upliftment of the entire area along the 25km stretch along the R551,” says Berman. “We see Palm Springs Mall serving as a community centre and a place of convenience. Part of the service provided by SoundRock is to advise potential tenants on the viability of their operation.

“We feel we have a responsibility to the smaller entrepreneurs in the area to give them an opportunity,” says Berman. Hawkers have also been accommodated and they will be provided with ablution facilities and undercover trading areas. It is not the aim of the centre to undermine small business in the area, but to provide opportunities for expansion into formal facilities.

“When developing in township areas the developer makes a far bigger commitment to uplifting the community and upgrading the area. For example, Heriot is bringing electricity from 3 kms away at its own cost,” explains Berman. “Of course, our security systems will be top-level, which is an important consideration for both tenants and consumers.

Heriot Properties are one of few developers with experience in the township marketplace, says Herring. “It is a very specialized niche and Heriot understands the product mix – we developed Park Central, which is the biggest private development in the Johannesburg CBD. We also purchased and developed The Bridge in the CBD.

“What we understand about this market is that it is very aspirational and brand conscious. Retailers who are price conscious do exceptionally well in these developments; the consumers are very informed and shop around a lot. They are acutely aware of price and quality,” continues Herring.

The development has gone ahead with buy-in from the community and the project will employ local construction workers and will draw their staff from the local residents. “On of the most important tenants is a filling station – experience has taught us one of the most important factors in the success of shopping malls is the taxi rank. We are working with the taxi operators – for example, we will not be charging them to use our facilities and we will be assisting them to upgrade their facilities,” says Herring.

The expected turnover of Palm Springs Mall will range between R240 and R300 million per year.

dysan1

April 24th, 2005, 09:58 PM

A view from the park at the end of Palm Boulevard, looking up towards Gateway

http://www.moreland.co.za/web3/imglib.nsf/2B863E4D88FBECA642256D6B0050CD64/$FILE/urntc_055.jpg

dysan1

April 24th, 2005, 10:01 PM

any other areas u guys interested in seeing more of?

Things coming up in the next few weeks:

Florida Road
Glenashley Beach
Musgrave Road
Natal University

You are to blame

April 27th, 2005, 08:58 PM

great thread dylan, i strongly suggest you post it in the main city photo section to let the rest of Skyscrapercity see it aswell

SA BOY

April 28th, 2005, 08:31 AM

dysan1

April 30th, 2005, 12:22 AM

great thread dylan, i strongly suggest you post it in the main city photo section to let the rest of Skyscrapercity see it aswell

would love to, but would i have to start it from scratch again???

dysan1

April 30th, 2005, 12:23 AM

Dysan, Id love to see the following areas
la lucia (showing the stunning houses and beaches there)
pavillion area (showing the office park developments)
is anything happeiong around kings meand office park yet?

I'll be on it! Not much happening around kingsmead!!! but toyota are building a massive showroom there... MASSIVE!!!!

dysan1

May 3rd, 2005, 01:19 AM

Cool view of the beachfront

http://www.studysa.co.za/province/provimg/durban.jpg

Pule

May 3rd, 2005, 11:43 AM

Wesbank commits R3,6bn to taxi industry
Published 28/04/2005

Wesbank has announced its intention to commit R3,6 billion to the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TRP) as part of the broader initiative to improve public transport. This initiative comes amid the finalisation of the new taxi safety requirements by the end of April 2005.

Transport Minister Jeff Radebe congratulated Wesbank on its decision. "As government, we welcome this bold step by the Wesbank. We believe that this initiative will go a long way in addressing the challenges of the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme. It is our considered view that we need to find other creative and workable strategies for providing assistance to the taxi industry. We are encouraged by this kind of commitment by Wesbank for the necessary financing mechanism to enable taxi operators to renew their taxi fleet."

Minister Radebe also reiterated the importance of convergence between government, commuters, the taxi industry and the financial institutions in ensuring the effective regulation of the taxi industry. "The key challenge is to ensure the sustainability of the taxi industry as a business. The Wesbank financial support is therefore a key step in achieving that sustainability in the industry," he concluded.

The move by Wesbank comes in the wake of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SANTACO (South African National Taxi Council) and the four major financial institutions - Wesbank included - signed on 22 February 2005.

The MoU is part of a broader initiative to improve and integrate public transport in South Africa. ABSA, Nedbank and Standard Bank, as well as Daimler Chrysler Services, are also signatories of the MoU.

dysan1

May 9th, 2005, 08:28 PM

hey guys have now started another durbs thread in the skyline section...but that doesnt mean that this one will fade into obsecurity!!! Both will keep the similar info and pics...its just out there to spread the word on this awesome city...

and i think it has had the desired effect.

dysan1

May 15th, 2005, 11:54 AM

dysan1

May 15th, 2005, 11:58 AM

anyone else able to contribute to the pictures on this thread is more than welcome to...i would love to see other peoples pics of Durbs

dysan1

May 15th, 2005, 01:12 PM

Finally have put managed to put this one up one of my favs

http://www.myimagehub.com/userfiles/dysan1/Copy%20%282%29%20of%20pano%20durbs%20sky.jpg

SA BOY

May 15th, 2005, 01:49 PM

A view of the city from the hills of Umhlanga Ridge

http://www.thehunt.co.za/assets/investpano.jpg

Looking down at Umhlanga from the Horizon Views Development in the new town centre

http://www.thehunt.co.za/uploads/232image.jpg
excellent, see the 4 white roofed buildings with the slanted foward roof. That was the first project I built in Durban when I was fresh out of Tech. Im suprised they are still standing!!!!!!!!!!

SA BOY

May 15th, 2005, 01:52 PM

holy smokes , that is the best pano I have ever seen of the Durban CBD. I have set it as my desktop-wow. This needs to be shown on the world skyline pics

dysan1

May 15th, 2005, 02:20 PM

its on the other durban thread in there mate, but u think it shpuld be put somewhere else? the full version of the pic is so amazing that i can zoom right into the logos on the buildings and see things clearly! i might try play around with the pic a bit and maybe post another version of it with just the main cbd section, but larger...what u think?

datilguy

May 15th, 2005, 05:38 PM

WOW!!:) You can see Embassy, Old Mutual and 88 on Field. Its like the perfect picture.........drool.K, so that domed victorian building, thats the Museum of Natural History and City Hall? Does dntn Durbs have different districts? IE. financial, legal blah blah blah? Was downtown in ABQ yesterday and was amazaed at how even though its considered a medium size downtown, it was supremely well organized and everything was divided into seperate districts for diff. money pools and investment initiatives......and each district lends itself a different feel/ style. Was wondering if Durbs did the same thing.

clive330

May 16th, 2005, 01:36 AM

holy smokes , that is the best pano I have ever seen of the Durban CBD. I have set it as my desktop-wow. This needs to be shown on the world skyline pics

Really? To my eyes that looks tired, low, grey with only about 4 buildings of any size, with carparks all over the place. Sort of Houston in 1950.

You will be laughed off the world skyline forums.

To have a chance of looking good you have to use the skyline on the Embankment.

Good technical job though. Why not try stitch the whole VE skyline from Albert Park to the beach front?

Jeff

May 18th, 2005, 02:01 AM

Well,color me impressed.

I always wondered what this city looked like. Now I know.

This almost looks like a pix of an Australian city....maybe its the Medittereanean or semitropical foilage or beaches. Very nice city!

datilguy

May 18th, 2005, 03:51 AM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Thank You :)

Pule

May 18th, 2005, 11:44 AM

May 18, 2005
By Lucille Davie

http://www.joburg-archive.co.za/images/may/hectorpmemorial1.jpg

VISITOR numbers at the Hector Pietersen Museum and memorial in Soweto have shown a steady rise over the past six months, from 7 300 to 10 400.

Chief curator Ali Hlongwane attributes this to "project-driven activities". By this he means running special events to attract people.

This Friday, 20 May, with the Centre for the Study of Violence and the Khulumani Support Group, families of children who went missing in the unrest of the 70s and 80s will assemble at the museum.

"It is very important to keep alive this consciousness," Hlongwane says.

The number of visitors to the museum and the memorial alongside it for November 2004 was 7 365, with a drop over the following three months to about 6 400 each month and a climb again to 8 436 in March, to peak at 10 420 in April.

Hlongwane expects visitor numbers to rise considerably in June, to mark the anniversary of the 16 June 1976 uprising, in which Hector Pietersen and dozens of other school children were shot and killed in Soweto.

He predicts that figures for that month will rise to 20 000, and stabilise at 15 000 a month for the rest of the year.

In June the museum will collaborate with the Robben Island Museum, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and the 16th June Foundation to hold a multi-disciplinary education programme.

It will consist of a teleconference with young people on Robben Island. A poster collection belonging to the provincial legislature will be on display in the museum. Artworks from cellphone provider MTN will also go on display, in an exhibition entitled "Resistance, Reconciliation and Reconstruction".

"We will integrate this collection with our permanent exhibition, and see how that works," Hlongwane says.

In July an education officer is to be appointed with a priority to establish an education department. Hlongwane hopes its activities will help to maintain the higher figures.

The museum focuses primarily on children, with an emphasis on the local community visiting the museum, says Hlongwane. In March the number of children under nine visiting hit a record 2 935, falling to 2 159 in April.

Meanwhile, The Sunday Times reported last weekend that the family of Mbuyisa Makhubu, the boy who was carrying Pietersen in the famous Sam Nzima picture taken on 16 June 1976, filed a missing person's complaint with the police, 30 years after he went missing.

Although he is widely believed to be dead, Makhubu's family have never given up hope of seeing him again. They believe he is alive and could be suffering from memory loss.