Mahatma Gandhi House, Phoenix Settlement Durban — Attraction in eThekwini Ward 57

The Phoenix settlemen that Gandhi created sits today in KwaMashu. Although the original house that Gandhi and his family occupied was destroyed in the viloence of the mid-1980's, the re-built house is now home the interprative center that documents the life of Gandhi and his family in South Africa.

On the same property is the building that housed the printing presses that were used to create the "Indian Opinion" which operated from 1903 until 1915. The actual press is no longer in the building and instead the building is used at the administrative center for the site.

Nearby Gandhi's house is the home in which Gandhi's son Manilol lived and assisted in the running of the newspaper, and eventually decoming it's editor.

Finally on the same site is a interprative center that documents the Shembe people as well as the history of KwaMashu and the Indian people.

The on site guides are helpful if available, but everything is well documented so easy to get around...

This review is little dated, nevertheless relevant.

When I first visited Durban for Comrades Marathon in 2012, I tried to find this place and failed. I was with my family in a rented car and got lost close to the memorial. After searching for a few hours, we ended up in the same place with curious onlookers peeping into our car. We distinctly felt unsafe and decided to head back.

But, second attempt in 2013 was successful. I was with a few friends, again in a rented car. They were much more tenacious and found the place not before getting lost a few times.

Gandhi Memorial had been rebuilt after destruction in in 1980's. Even after that, the memorial seems to be barely sustaining with little or no maintenance.

Regardless, the place gave us goosebumps, standing in the same place where Gandhi transformed himself and sowed the seeds for transforming India in the years and...

Phoenix Settlement on the iNanda Heritage Route (not to be confused with Phoenix town) is the site of the Ashram where Gandhiji practised ideologies of self-reliance and non-violence. He upheld his neighbours, Izaiah Shembe and Langalibalele Dube, who are significant figures in South African history. The various exhibitions also map women's contributions to the struggle, including Gandhi's wife. Ms. Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Gandhi, was there to take us around, which was a treat! And tour guide, Mr Mthembu, was also very welcoming. They are renovating and adding new pieces, so do support if you can. It's an honest exhibition that shows all sides of Gandhi's...