Origins of Durban.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Die betroubaarheid van 23 Junie 1835 as eintlike stigtingsdatum van die hawestad Durban word in hierdie artikel bevraagteken. Met verwysing na die bydrae van sy stigters, die inheemse bevolking by die Bluff, die Britse nedersetters en die Voortrekkers word die ontstaan van die stad ontleed. Daar word aangevoer dat Henry Francis Fynn en Francis Farewell se oorspronklike nedersetting in Mei en Junie 1824 die kern was waaruit die huidige Durban gegroei bet. Dit beteken dus dat die stad in 1988 nie sy 153ste herdenking nie maar inderdaad sy 164ste herdenking vier.• Summary: This contribution challenges the authenticity of 23 June 1835 as the actual founding day of Durban. The origins of this seaport are traced, with reference to the role played by the founders, the indigenous inhabitants on the Bluff, the British settlers and the Voortrekkers. The author concludes that the original settlement of Henry Francis Fynn and Francis Farewell during May and June 1824 was the nucleus that developed into the present city. This implies that in 1988 Durban should be celebrating its 164th anniversary and not its 153rd anniversary.