Urban Life

Online portrayal of Durban:

Durban’s appeal as a beachy holiday destination for national and international tourists alike is unsurprisingly emphasized by many South African websites that seek to promote the country’s tourism industry.  “South Africa Online” situated the city in contrast to the country’s other biggest urban centres by explaining that “If Johannesburg has a business culture and Cape Town has a culture culture, Durban has a beach culture!”  The article on Durban goes on to describe warm, beautiful weather maintained by Indian Ocean currents and the multitude of fun attractions to enjoy, only briefly touching upon the seaport-centered industry before returning to content aimed at the average tourist who is looking to “sip a cocktail on one of the sun drenched wooden decks.” “Encounter South Africa” also emphasizes Durban’s beach and surfing opportunities (calling the city, “South Africa’s playground”) but does additionally inform tourists about historic and cultural attractions such as museums and musical performances.  The city is described as both “cosmopolitan,” combining cultural flavours of India, England, and continental Europe, and “sport crazy,” so this article pays a little bit more attention to the popular life of the actual residents of the city rather than focusing solely on tourists as did South Africa Online.  That said, the four images on the city’s page depict the beach or pools.

http://thetouristattractions.blogspot.com/2012/02/10-fascinating-tourist-attractions-in.html

In contrast, a short, fun youtube video titled “A Stop Motion Interpretation of Durban Culture” aims to highlight the importance of buskers and crafters to the daily street life of Durban and to capture the colour and vibrancy that craftsmen and their wares bring to the city.  While the video might appeal to tourists, tourism itself is not the focus of the Durban that the clip portrays.  The website for the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2011 offers another perspective of Durban as a city with an important role to play in global discussions.  Here, Durban is “the most culturally diverse [city] in Southern Africa” and claims to be the friendliest city in South Africa because of the “great warmth and openness of its people and the laid-back lifestyle that everyone here enjoys.” Other websites highlight the cultural diversity, and particularly the large presence of Indians, in Durban.  There are more Indians in Durban than in any other city outside of India, and the impact of the Indian population is seen in all aspects of culture, from the presence of Hindu temples and parades today to the significance of Gandhi’s historic South African struggles.

http://www.v-brazil.com/world-cup/2010/durban-travel-guide/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/booksa/3353426598/

Learn about Durban’s popular life online!

·      http://www.southafrica.co.za/about-south-africa/cities-of-south-africa/durban-city-information-tourism-weather-and-more/

·      http://www.encounter.co.za/article/208.html

·      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zZAg7CbnWk

·      http://www.cop17-cmp7durban.com/en/durban/about-durban.html

·      http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-23/mumbai/29807173_1_durban-south-africa-uk

Moses Mabhida Stadium:

http://www.civildesigner.com/news/MosesMabhidaStadium.jpg

Since its completion 2009, the Moses Mabhida Stadium often features on informational webpages on Durban.  The stadium was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, so has a great deal of meaning to the Durban residents who saw their city take part in hosting the momentous international event.  It was built on the grounds of an earlier stadium that was demolished to make room for the new one, and is adjacent to another stadium such that the two structures create a sports area that is distinct from the surrounding residential neighbourhoods.  The stadium is located to the north of the harbour and city centre, right next to the beach.