Community Tours

1. The Markets of Warwick

The Markets of Warwick Tour is a guided experience through the historic Warwick Junction in Durban, South Africa. This area is home to one of the largest and most vibrant informal trading hubs in the country, where thousands of traders [over 10 000] sell a variety of goods, from fresh produce and traditional medicines to beadwork and street food. The tour highlights the vital role of informal traders in Durban’s economy and gives visitors insight into their daily lives and challenges. Visitors also get to experience Zulu traditions, street food, and local craftsmanship firsthand. The tour is run by a local NGO, Asiye eTafuleni, which works with local traders trained as tour guides, the tour promotes recognition and support for informal workers who face systemic challenges in city planning and offers a responsible tourism model that directly benefits traders and the community. The tour will also highlight the role the Durban University of Technology (DUT) has played in supporting the Markets of Warwick community, particularly through research, student engagement, and collaborative projects. After the tour, there will be a reflection session which will provide an opportunity for participants to process their experiences, discuss key takeaways, and explore how the tour has influenced their understanding of the informal trade, urban development, and cultural heritage.

2. Durban South Basin 

The Durban South Basin (DSB) is a historically significant and contested space in South Africa’s environmental justice movement. Once home to thriving communities, the area became heavily industrialized during the 20th century, particularly under apartheid-era policies that concentrated polluting industries near predominantly Black and Indian neighborhoods. Today, the DSB remains a hub for petrochemical production, manufacturing, and logistics, making it a vital economic zone but also one of the most environmentally burdened regions in Durban. Residents of surrounding communities, such as Wentworth and Merebank, have long fought against industrial pollution, toxic emissions, and inadequate infrastructure, mobilizing through grassroots activism and nonprofit advocacy for cleaner air, safer living conditions, and corporate accountability. 

3. Phoenix Settlement Area

The Phoenix Settlement in Durban is a landmark of social justice, peace, and community engagement, founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1904 as a base for his early activism in South Africa. Established as a self-sufficient community rooted in principles of nonviolence, self-reliance, and social equity, the settlement became a hub for Gandhi’s political work, including the launch of Indian Opinion, a newspaper that played a crucial role in the struggle against colonial and racial oppression. Today, the Phoenix Settlement stands as a heritage site and a center for community development, housing initiatives focused on education, conflict resolution, and social justice. The area continues to serve as a living example of grassroots activism, empowering local communities through leadership programs and advocacy for marginalized groups. 

4. Durban Green Corridor

The Green Corridor Durban is a dynamic community-based initiative focused on environmental conservation, sustainable tourism, and socio-economic development. Operating along the uMngeni River and other key ecological zones, Green Corridor works to restore natural habitats, promote eco-tourism, and support local communities through job creation, outdoor education, and youth empowerment programs. With a strong emphasis on climate resilience and inclusive development, the initiative engages in river clean-ups, biodiversity conservation, and eco-adventure experiences that connect people to Durban’s rich natural landscapes.