Extract from High Commissioner’s report concerning racial beach zoning in Durban, South Africa, October 1955, Catalogue Ref: DO 35/6716
Transcript
RACIAL BEACH ZONING IN DURBAN
- After months of discussion the Durban City Council has approved the Beach Committee’s recommendations for the racial zoning of the main beach front. The Council has resisted considerable pressure for the reservation of the whole length of the main beach for the exclusive use of Europeans. The Natives get 700 feet, the Coloured 600 feet, and the Indians 2,700 feet. These areas are to the north of the European beach which stretches along the built-up area in which all the hotels are situated.
- Look at the map of Durban in Source 3b to find the coastline.
- What does racial beach zoning in Durban show about the Separate Amenities Act in action?
- What does the report extract reveal about the nature of segregation?
- Can you suggest why the ‘European Beach’ is located where ‘all the hotels are situated’?