Last Stop, Durban

By Rick Powell
     My last stop before heading home has a great deal of history. Durban is in Natal province or the Zulu Kingdom, located on the Indian Ocean side with the largest population of Indians outside of India. Gandhi lived there for a while as a young man and the unions here have a long history of struggle against apartheid and for the rights of workers. Many South African Indians belonged to the African National Congress and, like Nelson Mandela, went to prison for many years during the struggle for freedom.
     Durban also has one of the largest seaport harbors in Africa, which accounts for the city's long time prosperity. For trade unionists, Durban is also important because it’s the home of the Workers College, and union members from all over Africa come to learn and teach other trade unionists the skills necessary to move the union movement forward.
     These days Durban is also famous for the conventions that come to town making it South Africa’s convention city. During my trip I found many changes for the better but there are still many things that have not changed fast enough such as housing for the people and other vital services. The three trade union federations, COSATU being the largest, have an important historical mission to fulfill to hold the government accountable on delivering promises it made more than 13 years ago, which workers, the masses of black and other people of color are still waiting on. (top right) Nigerian health care union officials learn contract negotiation and how to interact with government to provide more health care services for AIDS victims; (above left) Durban harbor; (right) Durban downtown and convention center area, photos by Rick Powell