AFRICA DURBAN DESTINATIONS
T
he large sign erupting from the volcano-shaped mountain of red powder reads “Mother In Law Exterminator”. But the smiling lady at one
of the stalls in Durban’s Victoria Market isn’t inciting me to commit a crime – it’s just one of the more inventive names for the huge range of spices on offer here. Because Durban, the sunny city known as the gateway to South Africa’s north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, is also the country’s cultural and culinary melting pot. Here, visitors will find a large Indian community and a strong Zulu presence, giving their stay a different flavour from Cape Town or Johannesburg.
Durban has more to offer than just its sandy beaches, or as a gateway to the battlefields and safari regions further north, so rather than rushing through, convince clients to stay for a day or two and get a taste of Durban.
w WHAT TO DO Durban’s domestic tourists come for one major reason – the flat, wide, sandy beaches that line its Golden Mile. They can easily provide the location for a welcome few days of beach relaxation within a Brit’s wider tour of South Africa too, but there’s more to see. Durban is home to a huge Indian community – the highest Indian population of any city
Durban is South Africa’s cultural and culinary melting pot, so there’s more to see than the beaches
outside India – and so the food here has a spicy kick and is definitely worth tasting. The most famous dish is bunny chow – curry served in hollowed-out bread – and clients shouldn’t miss out on the chance to sample it while they’re here. Recommend Freedom Café, a friendly spot serving a light, upmarket version
of the dish at tables under a tree-shaded courtyard, or within glass-walled converted shipping containers. Victoria Market is the place to pick up not only a selection of spices to take home – from rubs for flavouring meat to mixes for bunny chow, the classic potjiekos stew, and the locals’ favourite ‘the full mix’ which means a bit of everything – to local arts and crafts.
Another side of Durban culture
and food can be experienced on a township tour. During Apartheid, South Africa’s black communities were segregated in townships and these areas are still lively, thriving black neighbourhoods. Durban’s Umlazi is the second biggest township
10 December 2015
travelweekly.co.uk 45
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