During 1903 the Town Council of Durban invited architects to submit designs for a new town hall. Stanley G Hudson submitted the winning design which, for the time, was considered as ‘very bold and progressive’. The building is a good example of Edwardian neo-Baroque architecture and is embellished with groups of allegorical sculptures representing the Arts, Music, Literature, Commerce and Industry. Sculptures on the main pediment represent Britannia, Unity and Patriotism. The two maritime groups suggest Durban’s great source of commerce, health and beauty. The clock in the tower is the official timekeeper of Durban. The design included three buildings behind the facade to house the Municipal chambers, the art gallery and library as well as the auditorium that can seat 2500 people. Upon its completion in 1910, the original town hall that previously housed the Post office was utilised entirely as such. It is a close replica of the Belfast city hall in Northern Ireland. The art gallery contains ceramics, silver, ivories and a general collection of paintings by local and international artists.
The Drakensberg
Geology The Drakensberg Mountains had their onqm some 200 million years. ago when a vast landmass...
