Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal
Phoenix is a South African town about 25 kilometres (15 mi) northwest of Durban Central, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was established as a town by the apartheid government in 1976, but it has a long history of Indian occupation. It is associated with the Phoenix Settlement, built by Mahatma Gandhi.[2]
Phoenix | |
|---|---|
  Phoenix  Phoenix | |
| Coordinates: 29.701°S 31.004°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Municipality | eThekwini |
| Area | |
| • Total | 30.16 km2 (11.64 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 176,989 |
| • Density | 5,900/km2 (15,000/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 12.1% |
| • Coloured | 1.8% |
| • Indian/Asian | 85.0% |
| • White | 0.2% |
| • Other | 0.9% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • English | 87.4% |
| • Zulu | 8.1% |
| • Other | 4.5% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal code (street) | 4068 |
| PO box | 4080 |
| Area code | 031 |
In 2021, riots broke out in KwaZulu-Natal after the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma. The riots also occurred in Phoenix and armed citizen militias were formed. There were violent clashes between the community and rioter from nearby settlements like Inanda, which caused the deaths of 36 people[3] and increased racial tensions between Indian and black communities in the area.
History
The township was founded initially as a sugarcane estate. After the passing of the Group Areas Act [4], a law which designated specific regions for occupation by specific races, Phoenix became an Indian township. Sections were initially labelled as precincts or units, and then later renamed with proper street addresses.[5]
2021 KZN riots
Following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of court, riots broke out in KwaZulu-Natal on July 9, 2021. Phoenix was among the towns affected. Shops were looted and property was vandalised.[6] Due to a lack of police response during the riots, citizen militias formed to patrol the town and set up roadblocks to prevent rioters from entering the area and looters from absconding with stolen goods.[7] Physical altercations then occurred between the Phoenix community and interlopers from the nearby predominantly black community of Inanda.[8] Police Minister Bheki Cele claimed that 20 deaths happened in Phoenix as a result of such clashes.[9]
The riots exacerbated racial tensions between the Indian and black communities in the area,[10] and led to accusations of racism at the Indian community by the black community.[7]
Fake reports of further violence and killings sprung up on social networks in the aftermath.[11] Following the unrest, supporters of Zuma marched to protest the Phoenix killings.[12]
Places in Phoenix
Until the early 1990s, Phoenix was divided into 'units' by the local government. These units have since been given street and area names, such as:
- Corngrove road (unit 17)
- Magmore pl (unit 17)
- Brookdale (Unit 12)
- Grove End (Unit 17)
- Stanmore
- Eastbury (Unit 7)
- Southgate
- Greenbury (Unit 2)
- Furnham
- Stonebridge (Unit 15)
- Centenary Park
- Campbellstown (Unit 5)
- Centenary Heights
- Rockford
- Clayfield (Unit 5)
- Longcroft (Unit 8)
- Rydalvale (Unit 9)
- Terrance Manor
- Shastri Park
- Palmview
- Caneside (Unit 20)
- Foresthaven (Unit 21)
- Woodview
- Rainham (Unit 3)
- Redfern
- Whetstone (Unit 10)
- Rexham
- Westham (Unit 12)
However, many local people still refer to areas by their unit numbers.
The Phoenix area in Durban, South Africa, has a number of religious establishments, including mosques, temples, and churches. Magmore Place and Corngrove Road are the main access routes to the following establishments & public facilities such as the Stanmore Library, Grove End Clinic, Stanmore Swimming Pool, and Mahatma Park. During the July 2021 riots, Magmore Place and Corngrove Road were illegally blocked off, preventing black people from accessing the area. This demonstration of segregation caused racial tension and division in the community, with residents of other roads also unable to access public facilities.
Media and communication
Local news is distributed via regional newspapers such as the Rising Sun, the Post and Phoenix Tabloid, Daily News & Mercury, Sunday times In terms of telecommunications and Internet access, 99% of Phoenix is covered by either wireless Internet connections such as Fibre optics 5G , 4G , LTE, UMTS, EDGE, and HSDPA, or have access to a landline/ADSL. The majority of ADSL users in Phoenix use Telkomsa as their Internet service provider.
There are also many local Facebook pages that are used to relay news and crime related incidents such as Grove end & Stanmore page on Facebook helping community and also ward 50 save us from Councillors
Health and education
Public education in the Phoenix area is provided by various primary and secondary schools, one technikon and various FET colleges. There is one major government hospital (Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital), and one private hospital (Life Mount Edgecombe Hospital). Various clinics are also to be found, e. g. Grove End Clinic.
List of schools in Phoenix:
- Bushford Primary School
- Pharmacies Primary School
- Wembley Primary School
- Natest Primary School
- Mahathma Primary School
- Sunford Primary School
- Avonford Secondary School
- Solvista Secondary School
- Rustic Manor Primary School
- Stanmore Secondary & Primary School
- Grove End Secondary School
- Woodview Primary & Secondary School
- Highstone Primary School (Unit 11)
- Grandmore Primary School
- Palmview Primary School
- Riverview Primary School
- Olimpia Primary School
- Palmview Secondary School
- Sastripark Secondary School
- Northmead Secondary School (Unit 10)
- Phoenix Secondary School (Unit 5)
- Stonebridge Primary School (Unit 4)
- Pioneer Primary School (Unit 4)
- Daleview Secondary School (Unit 2)
- Greenbury Primary School (Unit 2)
- Greenbury Secondary School (Unit 2)
- Clayhaven Primary School (Unit 5)
- Hopeville Primary School (Unit 3)
- Northlen Primary School (Unit 13)
- Crystal Point Secondary School (Unit 13)
- Brookdale Secondary School (Unit 12)
- Trenance Manor Secondary School
- Millview Primary School (Unit 7)
- Eastbury Secondary School (Unit 7)
- Rydalvale Primary School (Unit 9)
- Rydalpark Secondary School (Unit 9)
- Havenpark Secondary School
- Foresthaven Secondary school
- Earlington Secondary School
- Brailsford Primary School
- Phoenix Technical Secondary School
- Whetstone Primary School (Unit 11)
- Clayheights Primary School (Unit 20)
- Redfern Primary School (Unit 10)
- Ferndale Combined School
Shopping centres
Phoenix Plaza, Gem City, Starwood Mall, The Acropolis mall and Top Hat supermarket, Checksave, Check Mart & some of the few shopping centres that can be found in Phoenix's CBD. These centres cater for various needs from top brand shops to local products. PALMVIEW shopping centre mall
Phoenix Plaza
The Phoenix Plaza is a large shopping mall in the Phoenix area of Durban, South Africa. It is the largest shopping mall in the north of Durban and serves a catchment area of over 1 million people. The mall was opened in 1993 and has since been expanded and renovated on several occasions.
The Phoenix Plaza has a wide range of stores, including major department stores, fashion retailers, restaurants, and entertainment options. There is also a large food court with a variety of cuisines to choose from.
The mall is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. It is a convenient place to shop for all your needs, and it offers a variety of entertainment options for all ages.
In 2022, the Phoenix Plaza underwent a major refurbishment. This included the addition of new stores and restaurants, as well as the renovation of existing stores and common areas. The mall also received a new logo and branding.
The Phoenix Plaza is committed to giving back to the community. The mall supports a number of local charities and organizations, and it hosts a variety of community events throughout the year.
Transport
Three main means of public transport are available: private owned buses, taxis and the rail system including Uber & Taxify. Phoenix has its own railway station which connects to many towns in the Greater Durban region such as Mount Edgecombe, Verulam, Tongaat (now oThongathi) and Stanger (now KwaDukuza). The King Shaka International Airport is a short drive away, which provides various outlets. Totaling 175 at its peak in the mid-90s, Phoenix had one of the largest numbers of privately owned buses in South Africa. The two bus services that contributed to the transport landscape of the area were Mayville Coach Lines and Springfield Safari Tours (SOS).
Industrial sector
Phoenix also hosts a huge industrial area with big companies such as SAB Africa Miller, which produces beverages in the Coca-Cola family and many new Industrial company recently opened up. Tradeport Distribution, which is the largest distribution company in kwa zulu natal is also located in this industrial park.
References
- "Main Place Phoenix". Census 2011.
- Makhatini, Mack; Moodley, Samantha. "Phoenix". City of Durban, South Africa. Archived from the original on 16 September 2009.
- Erasmus, Des (16 November 2021). "Media played role in putting the 'fear of God into everybody' while police were outnumbered, Phoenix resident tells inquiry". July Riots. dailymaverick.co.za. Daily Maverick. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- https://w.wiki/7vGc
- "Phoenix". www.durban.gov.za. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
- Ndou, Clive. "'There is just too much anger over what happened in Phoenix'". Witness. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- AfricaNews (2021-07-22). "KwaZulu-Natal riots highlight ethnic tensions". Africanews. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- "Phoenix and Inanda community leaders hope for peace following unrest in KZN". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- "South Africa violence, looting ebbs but death toll up to 117". Reuters. 2021-07-15. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- "Dividing lines: Phoenix at epicentre of looting, racial tension and violence in KZN". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- "SAPS says news relating to shooting of man linked to Phoenix killings is fake". SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. 2021-07-24. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- "35 bodies unclaimed as Phoenix tensions simmer". The Mail & Guardian. 2021-07-22. Retrieved 2021-07-26.