The U’mlando tour route

Capturing the community’s spirit of defiance to apartheid, the Cato Manor Museum is a unique and interactive museum featuring immense photographic prints along the walls, with striking scenes of dissent, despair and defiance.

The floor-to-ceiling photographs capture the strife and fierce struggle for freedom synonymous with this historic area. Exhibits include news clippings, historical accounts and letters and document the evictions, riots and rebellion that marred the area for decades, with a focus on the infamous Durban System.

What is most striking at the Bergtheil Museum is its collection of life-like dolls. Named after Jonas Bergtheil, much of the museum is housed in Westville’s oldest building, featuring massive stone walls and hand-hewn timber floorboars. The exhibits centre on the first German settlers that Bergtheil brought to Natal as Director of the Natal Cotton Company. The artefacts on display include household items and workshop implements. Photographs and records document the gradual growth and success of the settlers during the South African War and World Wars I and II.

The U’mlando tour for Sri Lankan media was organised by Durban West CTO Julia Cullinan with tour guide Musa Dube. Time constraints – since we were leaving Durban that evening – meant we were only able to visit the Cato Manor Museum and Bergtheil Museum.

However, the full U’mlando tour route covers the Cato Manor Museum, Heroes Acre Chesterville, Bergtheil Museum, Clermont, St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa and Lady Smith Black Mambazo’s House, ending with lunch at Tate’s Kasi Grill. Visitors can explore Durban’s rich heritage via its Local History Museums, located at many unique sites within the city.