Durban’s Warmth makes it the Coolest City in South Africa

After someone at CNN named Durban as the “Coolest City in South Africa You’ve Never Seen”, we asked the locals what they think makes Durban so cool…and the overwhelming response was its warmth – the ocean (unlike the slightly chilly Cape Town waters!), the friendly people, the hot curry Bunny Chows and the “hot and sunshiny weather all year long”.

The locals have known how cool Durban is forever…and now, with a little exposure from CNN (who seem to have recently fallen in love with Durban), perhaps more overseas visitors will start discovering this too. (And realise that from Durban it’s not too far to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains or up the coast for an unforgettable African safari.)

It was just three months ago that CNN listed Durban as one of the Top 10 Most Underrated Cities in the World. This time – in naming it as the Coolest City in the country – CNN said “Joburg is trendy, Cape Town is glamorous, but Durban is cool”.

Their reasons for picking Durban as the coolest spot include Durban’s beachfront, the Golden Mile; uShaka Marine World, Moses Mbhida Stadium, the Bunny Chow, as well as the city’s shops, markets, restaurants and art.

Locals agreed, with Angela Cuthbert adding that Durban’s charm is “watching the sun rise from the beach…the changing colours just before and as it comes out over the sea are amazing.”

Sphamandla Ngubane told SAPeople his home town is the coolest in South Africa because of “its diversity amongst races. Its food culture. Its people. The beach and blue sea like none other. Skydiving at Moses Mabhida stadium. I can count many reasons, but I’m leaving space for you to come down and find out for yourselves…hope you enjoy!”

And here – showing just how warm…and cool…Durban is – are photos taken this weekend (in September)…