- KwaZulu-Natal
- Phoenix
Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal
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Phoenix is an Indian settlement northwest of central Durban, minutes away from Mount Edgecombe and the very popular area of Umhlanga. Today Phoenix is the largest “Indian” town in South Africa.
Phoenix is one of the attractions along the Inanda Route and is an interesting stop whether you know the history of Gandhi or not. Visitors to the area can enjoy seeing where he lived, a reconstruction of his home was built after it burnt down during the Inanda Riots of 1985 and is called Sarvodaya. Visitors can also visit the landmark printing press he founded. Throughout his life, he was able to inspire people and he dedicated his life to fight injustice and call for peace.
Life in Phoenix has its own charm which sings of stories of resilience and triumph.
The settlement is close to many shopping centres, the Phoenix Plaza and the very popular Gateway Theatre of Shopping as well as many attractions in Umhlanga, including the beach, and Durban central.
Durban offers every type of accommodation with a price range to suit every budget, many close to Phoenix if you wish to visit the settlement area.
Things to do and see
- Old Print Building
- Sarvodaya House
- The Phoenix Plaza
- Inanda Route
- Umhlanga Lighthouse
- Umhlanga Main Beach
- Sibaya Casino & Entertainment World
- Gateway Shopping Mall
- Mount Edgecombe Golf Course One & Two
Climate
Phoenix receives approximately 948 mm of rain annually with the majority of its’ rainfall occurring during the summer months.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 19˚C and 27˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 12˚C and 23˚C.
Transport
There are daily flights into King Shaka International Airport, 22 km away via the N2. Car hire facilities are available at the Airport.
History
It was in 1904 that Mohandas Gandhi, or more popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, established a small village-like ashram on the north-western outskirts of Inanda in Durban. He began printing the “Indian Opinion” newspaper here. The settlement served for some time as an important home to Gandhi, his family and his followers as they strove to follow a path of social change through passive resistance.
The settlement was established and called the Phoenix settlement in 1976, the same year as the Soweto Uprising. The apartheid government set up Phoenix as an Indian Township under Group Areas Act.
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