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Durban is full of culture, surfing, and more.

9 Things You Never Knew About Durban, South Africa was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc

1. Gateway Mall

Gateway Mall

Durban is home to the biggest mall in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. Gateway Mall was modeled on Minnesota’s Mall of America and houses over 350 stores, 70 restaurants, 18 movie theaters, and more.

9 Things You Never Knew About Durban, South Africa was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc

2. Ushaka Marine World

Ushaka Marine World

Durban is also home to the 5th largest aquarium in the world.

9 Things You Never Knew About Durban, South Africa was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc

3. Surf City

Surf City

Durban is known as Surf City because it’s one of the county’s top surfing spots. The water’s very warm all year ’round so you can wear shorts to surf, instead of wetsuits.

9 Things You Never Knew About Durban, South Africa was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc

4. An Indian Influence

An Indian Influence

People of Indian descent make up 40% of the city’s population. Also, Mahatma Ghandi first began his political and social activism career in Durban.

9 Things You Never Knew About Durban, South Africa was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc

5. Shark Obsession

Shark Obsession

Durban’s rugby team is named The Sharks and for good reason. Back in the day, the city suffered five deadly shark attacks between December 1957 and April 1958. That period of time is now known as Black December. In 1962, the Natal Sharks Board was created to deal with the shark issue, as more fatalities continued to occur.

9 Things You Never Knew About Durban, South Africa was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc

6. Major Whale City

Major Whale City

Durban is also a really great place to whale watch. In fact, it’s one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions.

9 Things You Never Knew About Durban, South Africa was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc

7. Bunny Chow

Bunny Chow

Bunny Chow, a hollowed out loaf of bread filled with curry, is one of Durban’s most popular dishes.

9 Things You Never Knew About Durban, South Africa was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc

8. The Zulu Community

The Zulu Community

Durban is part of the KwaZulu-Natal Province, where many Zulu currently live.

9 Things You Never Knew About Durban, South Africa was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc

9. Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

The Former President of South Africa cast his first democratic ballot at Ohlange High School near Durban. It was the first election all races were allowed to participate in.

9 Things You Never Knew About Durban, South Africa was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc