Durban Historical Sites

DURBAN HISTORICAL SITES

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CONGELLA. Originally known as kwaKhangela amaNkengana – The Cannibal or Vagabond Outlook, this site was one of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona’s military outposts (or amakhanda) to check on cannibalism that had resulted from his subjugation of various clans, resulting in the Mfecane. It was also used to keep a watch on the abakwaLuthuli – the People of the Dust – who had taken refuge in the isiBubulungu (The Bluff). It subsequently became the site of the Voortrekker encampment during their occupation of Natal in 1838 and it was the objective of Captain TC Smith’s attack during the British re-occupation of Port Natal in 1842.

. THE OLD FORT. Site of Capt TC Smith’s encampment during the British re-occupation of Natal in 1842. The original site of Smith’s camp was in the vicinity of the present railway station, but it was subsequently moved to its present site. Smith became besieged by the Voortrekkers after his abortive attack on their encampment at Congella, and was only relieved by Col Josias Cloete on the 18th June 1842, following an epic ride by Dick King to Grahamstown to inform the military garrison there of Smith’s predicament. King was accompanied for part of the journey by Ndongeni Zulu, a member of the Zulu Royal House.

D3	DICK KING’S STATUE. Erected on the supposed point of his departure to enlist support for Smith’s beleaguered garrison at what is now The Old Fort.

LORDS GROUND MILITARY BASE. Originally the site of Durban’s first Cricket oval, Lords Ground became a remount station during the Anglo-Boer War and the Drill Hall was the mustering point for the military from the 1920s. It now housed the SANDF’s Reserve Force office and several famous old Regiments are headquartered there.

D5	DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY HEADQUARTERS AND REGIMENTAL MUSEUM. Durban’s oldest Infantry Regiment’s HQ is situated in this magnificent listed building. The DLI (founded in 1854) has established a superb museum which may be visited on application to the RHQ.

NATAL MOUNTED RIFLES HEADQUARTERS AND MUSEUM. This fine old Regiment, which traces its origin to 1854, is headquartered at the original buildings of Durban’s Stamford Hill Aerodrome, which is a listed building. It also houses a fine museum and magnificent collection of militaria in both the Officers’ and WOs’ & Sergeants’ Messes. Visit on application to RHQ.

MEREBANK, JACOBS, ISIPINGO AND PINETOWN CONCENTRATION CAMP SITES. As the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) continued into its guerrilla phase, Lord Kitchener ordered Boer homesteads to be burnt and livestock to be destroyed to deprive the burghers of their ability to live off the veld. Thousands of women and children were removed from these farms and relocated to concentration camps throughout South Africa and beyond its borders. Four of these camps were established in the eThekwini area. There is no evidence of Isipingo Camp and the Pinetown site is now an industrial park. Jacobs is vaguely discernable (through some scattered graves and a central memorial) and while badly neglected, the Merebank site was restored by the Boeregrafte section of the National Monument Council’s War Graves Board in 1970.

STELLAWOOD COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES, STELLAWOOD CEMETERY. Many WW1 and WW2 servicemen from Commonwealth Countries who died of their wounds or from disease during their tour of duty are buried here. They were sent to Durban to recover, but succumbed during their stay. There is also an interesting grave of Sgt Parker, who is incorrectly shown as a VC recipient from the Battle of Sannaspos during the Anglo-Boer War.

D9	HILLARY COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES, HILLARY CEMETERY. WW 2 Servicemen are buried in the CWG section of the Hillary Cemetery.

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THE GRAVE OF SERGEANT JOSEPH MALONE VC. Sgt Joseph Malone was awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery during the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. He subsequently settled in Pinetown and is buried with the Hussars in the churchyard of St James in King’s Road, Pinetown.

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ANGLO-ZULU WAR AND ANGLO-BOER WAR GRAVES, ST JOHN’S CHURCH, PINETOWN. Several of these graves will be found in this churchyard, which is well maintained by the parishioners of St John’s Church. A lonely Boer grave is also situated in the ABW section.

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ANGLO-BOER WAR GRAVES, MARIANNHILL MISSION. Several British soldiers who died from wounds or disease during the Anglo-Boer War are buried in the main cemetery at Mariannhill Mission.

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FAIRYDENE REST HOME. During the Anglo-Zulu War and the Anglo-Boer War, this was known as the Princess Christian Hospital.

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UMVOTI MOUNTED RIFLES HEADQUARTERS AND MUSEUM, PINETOWN. Originally the Highway Commando Headquarters, this fine old Armoured Car Regiment has now established its HQ here. Several items of interesting militaria – especially from the 1906 Poll Tax (Bhambatha) Rebellion are on display in the Officers’ Mess and Regimental Museum. Visit on application to the RHQ.