Durban is the Capital City of the South African Province of KwaZulu-Natal, on the East Coast of the Country. It is not only a popular tourist attraction and coastal hotspot, but it is also home to the continent’s biggest Container Terminal and one of the major Ports in Africa - the Durban Harbour. The modern Port of Durban was first established when a party of British men from the Cape Colony settled on the shores of the Bay of Natal in 1824 to establish a Trading Post. This Harbour is also a popular Tourist Attraction too, thanks to its idyllic Setting, central Positioning, and massive Proportions. The Bay is surrounded by a stunning conservation Area of mangrove swamps. Durban Harbour is a natural Harbour that still resembles the original Bay’s shape. It is said that Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, discovered the Bay in 1497. Soon, it became a major point of access that was conveniently located between Algoa Bay and Maputo Bay. Today, visitors to Durban Harbour can look forward to watching in awe as giant Container Ships, are led in! There are a number of Ferry Trips and Cruises that take place in the Harbour. These Trips are an awesome pastime for Locals and Visitors alike, and a great way to see the beauty of the KZN Coastline. Chartered fishing boats are docked at the Harbour and promise avid fishermen a great opportunity to try their hand at angling in the Indian Ocean waters off Durban’s shores. The bay is surrounded by a stunning conservation Area of mangrove swamps. This not only adds to the beauty and splendour of the Natural Countryside, but also provides the ideal Habitat for a number of animal species. For those that feel more energetic, the bay is also a fantastic place to go Parasailing, Kayaking or Canoeing. The Port of Durban operates 24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year. During daylight ships are supposedly restricted to 243.8 m length with a maximum width of 35 m and a draught of 11.9 m, or 12.2 m according to tide and Harbour Master's clearance. Larger vessels are common, and ships up to 300 m lengths and 37 m beams are regular callers in Durban. Night restrictions are for a ship length of 200 m, a beam of 26 m, and maximum draught of 11.6 m. The Harbour Master has to be consulted for permission if larger vessels are to enter Port! On the 10 October 2017. during a freak storm, two container ships collided in Durban Harbour, resulting in 2.2 billion plastic pellets, commonly known as nurdles, being spilled. This resulted in a major environmental clean-up, (you can read more by clicking on the link in Further Reading!)

Built by the Tamil Community the prominent and almost 70-year-old Building of the Hindu Tamil Institute (HTI) in Cross Street, Durban, near the Durban Girls’ Secondary School, was officially opened on April 12, 1939 by Sri Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. He was the first vice-president of India (1952-1962) and its second president (1962-1967). His birthday is celebrated in India, as Teachers’ Day on September 5. Although it was initially known as the Hindu Tamil Government Aided Indian School, founded on February 27, 1914 and originally operated in Prince Edward Street, it eventually moved to the HTI Building at 90 Cross Street. The Building had a rich History and was one of the first Indian Schools in the Central Business District. As Indian families started moving into Townships because of the Group Areas Act, attendance at the School dropped. It was also where the then ML Sultan Technikon, started its first classes. In the 1970's, when the HTI School closed, the Building stood vacant for two Years. The society has now decided to sell the 70-year-old Building as it could no longer serve the Indian community, which has scattered! The proceeds would help run the Hindu Tamil Mansions in Dr. Goonam Street, and Natal Tamil Vedic Society, in Carlisle Street.

Dessenhoek forms a Community of Durban, towards the Pinetown Area. In a continual effort to improve the lives of those around them, Gelvenor once again gave back to the Community with a generous donation. After witnessing the poor condition of the Church and Clinic in the Dassenhoek Community, Peter Rasmussen from 'City Hope Nation Changers' – a City Hill Church program – initiated the project and began to look for partners who would assist him in offering much needed support to the Community. “They are doing amazing work in the Dassenhoek Community and after seeing their Facility and the challenges they face I knew something needed to be done,” said Rasmussen. Peter reached out to Companies in the Area and Gelvenor answered the call to provide a solution. The project saw Gelvenor donate 200 metres of fabric to the' Tshelimnyama Dassenhoek Community' to be used as a Clinic and social/education Centre. Gelvenor CEO Dicky Coetzee said, “Our business has been evolving in South Africa since 1965 and we recognize that community involvement has to be part of what you do. We feel privileged that we can be a part of this”. Having seen his project come to fruition and realizing the inevitable impact it will have on the Community, Rasmussen openly showed his gratitude to the Gelvenor team. “I want to say to' Gelvenor Textiles', thank you for this incredible blessing to the community. This is a wonderful outcome to the journey we have walked together,” concluded Rasmussen.