The Contrasts of Colours of eThekwini in Durban in a Word

February 1st, 2008 by Tracey

“Durban is home. I love this place.” — Helana Olivier

“Durban in a word, is vegetation. … Delicious monsters with fat rude fruits, cruel tangles of Amatungulu with sweet-smelling white starry flowers and sweet fruit, but don’t be tempted until they’re almost purple for if you do you will latex your mouth for hours.” — Peggy Verbaan

Thirty writers, thirty views of Durban. Each piece evokes memories of the city that has shaped them. With a wide range of voices, from John van de Ruit to Imraan Coovadia, from Kobus Moolman to William Zulu, Durban in a Word is a lush collection from South Africa’s often forgotten but exceptionally literary city, edited by Dianne Stewart.

The book’s contributors have donated all royalties from the sale of Durban in a Word to NOAH (Nurturing Orphans of AIDS for Humanity), a community-based organisation that mobilises entire communities to respond to the crisis presented by the growing numbers of children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic.

“I take a deep breath as white air fills my lungs, clean air, fresh air. I dream of travelling out of this city. I dream of lush green pastures that roll out on the rocks and valleys of a thousand hills, pretending they never end.” — Ntando Cele

“Green is the norm here. Not a leaf, not a colour, not a slant of light to remind me of my past … anything with small, soft leaves goes mouldy and shrivels here. Everything with big, hard, shiny leaves swells and grows to gigantic proportions.” — Ingrid Winterbach

“Durban is the tan. Sleek, streaked blondes browned to perfection. The lingering aroma of coconut sunscreen.” — Elana Bregin

A wonderful omnibus of Durban sights, sounds, smells, flavours – a book for all the city’s lovers to savour!

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