Bluff, KwaZulu-Natal

Bluff

The Bluff as seen from Greens Walk, Durban
Bluff

 Bluff shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 29°55′29″S 31°0′14″E / 29.92472°S 31.00389°ECoordinates: 29°55′29″S 31°0′14″E / 29.92472°S 31.00389°E
Country South Africa
Province KwaZulu-Natal
Municipality eThekwini
Area[1]
 • Total 21.68 km2 (8.37 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 68,124
 • Density 3,100/km2 (8,100/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 15.6%
 • Coloured 36.6%
 • Indian/Asian 30.1%
 • White 17.1%
 • Other 0.6%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • English 79.8%
 • Zulu 8.1%
 • Afrikaans 7.2%
 • Xhosa 1.7%
 • Other 3.3%
Postal code (street) 4052
PO box 4036

Bluff or The Bluff is a geographical area, containing seven suburbs, in Durban, eThekwini metropolitan municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Within the area referred to as "The Bluff" lie the suburbs of Brighton Beach, Grosvenor, King's Rest, Ocean View, Fynnland, Treasure Beach and Wentworth. The name of the area is derived from the long bluff - two ancient sand dunes on which most of the suburbs lie. The Bluff is one of the main enclosing elements of Durban Harbour from the Indian Ocean, and forms the southern quayside of the Port of Durban.[2]

History

The promonotory on which Bluff is situated is Durban's most prominent natural landmark. Accordingly, it probably served as an important visual reference for navigational approaches to Durban Harbour.[3]

Between 1907 and 1975, the exposed south-east side of The Bluff housed a whaling station. Jackson, Allan (2007). Facts About Durban (3rd ed.). Dalbridge, South Africa: FAD Publishing. ISBN 978-0-620-38672-2.


Since the mid-Nineteenth Century, the region has been purposed for navigational and military uses. This use has provided protection for much of the area's native vegetation. Today, the area is considered important in the ecological management of Durban and environs.[3]

The traditional Zulu name for Bluff is isibubulungu, meaning a long, round-shaped ridge. It also means "white man’s bluff", which may be a reference to habitation by shipwreck survivors.[3]

The Bluff promonotory is a remnant of an extensive coastal dune system that formed along the shoreline of KwaZulu-Natal between two and five million years ago.[3]

Features

The Bluff is a popular holiday destination, with extensive accommodations and plentiful seaside recreation. The area is known for its abundant sea life, including dolphins, and in the winter months, whales.[2]

There are two main beaches: Brighton Beach and Anstey's, while a smaller, lesser-known beach is Garvie's. There is golf course and a wetlands area with a large population of various bird species.

This is a route with a difference. In the South Durban Basin (as the area is known) there are five main residential suburbs: Bluff, Treasure Beach, Merebank, Austerville and Wentworth. Interspersed among the houses are a number of industries, including two of South Africa’s largest oil refineries, a paper mill and other smaller factories. The Durban International Airport was moved for the 2010 FIFA World Cup from the South Durban Basin to its current location, an hour's drive from the Bluff, just past the small seaside town of Umdloti and before Ballito Village, which lies up the North Coast. This mixture of residential homes and large industries creates a challenge for all those who live and work in the area. Air pollution, water pollution, overcrowding and litter are some of the problems that residents and industries work to resolve.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Sub Place Bluff". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Bluff, Durban Information". WhereToStay. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Durban South Tourism Route". Open Africa. Retrieved 9 March 2010.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Bluff.