As the Best of Durban Readers’ Choice Awards shine a spotlight on this year’s winners, we thought we’d also hear from some of the city’s best-known personalities on the one question that unites us all: Why do you love Durban?
Joy activist, keynote speaker, founder of Hello Poppy NPC and the ReJoyce Collection, now evolving into FUNdles, Jane Linley-Thomas
Durban is more than a place; it’s a feeling. When I think of Durban, I picture a little girl eating ice cream on the beachfront, celebrating birthdays at Mini Town, and visiting the Playhouse with my grandparents, gazing up at the star-spangled ceiling and its richly draped velvet curtains.I remember the excitement of driving through the city at Christmas, watching the festive lights twinkle against the Durban night sky. Ours is a city of warmth – not only because of its climate, but because of its people. Courageous, resilient and deeply connected, Durban has always felt like home.
Mother of two, entrepreneur, marathon runner, history-maker and better known as The Rope Runner, Marissa Groenewald
Durban isn’t just a city I love – it’s the city that believed in a woman with a rope and a dream. Its people, beautiful coastline and incredible energy have carried me through countless kilometres, proving that courage, kindness and purpose can travel together while inspiring hope and creating conversations that truly matter. I will miss Durban tremendously. It has changed me for the better, and I’ll always be grateful for the role it has played in my journey. If you ever need to reset your life, reconnect with your purpose or simply feed your soul, I can’t recommend Durban enough.
Mother-daughter business partners Megan Bobbert and Fay Coleman, co-owners of Image Insured
Durban has always been home for us. My mom has lived here since she was a teenager, and I was born and raised in this beautiful city. We’re both sun lovers, so the weather is definitely one of the biggest reasons we love living here – you really can’t beat a Durban winter! We also love the laid-back lifestyle. Life just feels a little slower and a lot more relaxed than other cities in SA – which suits us perfectly!
Celebrated, award-winning husband-and-wife theatrical comedy duo Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy
Durban has its problems – we are not living under a rock – BUT at the end of the day – “Is there anywhere else you would want to live?” Durban is home. We live on a green belt and the bird life is insane. Every day is a safari in our back yard with the monkeys popping in for a snack! Durbanites are resilient! Living here is not for the faint hearted, it’s a wild place but this city has soul – some of the most creative artists were born here! Personally, I need a lot of vitamin D. I would get depressed living in a cold climate. I think we take the weather for granted but we are completely blessed living in such a tropical paradise.
Breakfast radio host, comedian and MC Darren Maule
This year marks 15 years since I made Durban my home and began hosting East Coast Radio’s Breakfast Show – one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. While Durban’s curries and climate are world-famous, it’s the people who make this city truly special. Their warmth, openness and resilience inspire me every day, whether I’m on air or meeting listeners around the city. Through my #UltimateBlazer project, visiting schools across KZN and collecting school badges, I’ve also discovered the incredible hope, pride and sense of belonging our young people have. The true heart of Durban has always been its people, and they’re the reason this city inspires me every day.
Best-selling South African author of the much-loved series Spud John van de Ruit
Sometimes, when cabin fever enshrouds my writing desk, I steal away. Just down the hill I slink into a primordial forest. People know Pigeon Valley but you seldom find anyone there. I linger among the figs and the elms marvelling. These trees were here before Durban was. Humbled and somewhat awed, I head home leaving my cabin fever in the dappled light of our city’s ancient relic.
