This vibrant area of Durban has a lot to offer, including a well-known Indian takeaway spot.
About the area
Every city has something to brag about. London has Buckingham Palace and New York boasts the Empire State Building. And Durban? Well, Durban has Johnny's. Officially known as Johnny’s Roti Sunrise Chip ‘N Ranch, this takeaway is so well known that numerous travel sites maintain a trip to the city simply isn't complete without a meal at this beloved spot. It may not be the world’s – or indeed the city’s – smartest takeaway, but it's certainly put Overport on the map.
This popular suburb is home to a large Indian community and there is a strong community feel among those who live here. Lightstone's statistics indicate that a large percentage of people (42%) have lived in the area for longer than 11 years and that the largest percentage of recent buyers (80%) are between 36 and 49 years old.
Understandably many shops in the area cater for the local population. Spice shops, Indian clothing shops, fresh fruit and vegetable stores, fabric outlets and halaal restaurants and takeaways dominate, and the area also houses the Overport mosque, Soofie Masjid. The shopping scene has improved in recent times with the upgrade of The Atrium (previously known as Overport City). This large centre, so named for the 17,8m atrium at the heart of the mall, features a wide variety of shops and banks as well as a large, well-known supermarket.
Schools in the area include Overport SRS Primary School, Hartley Road Primary School and Overport Secondary School. Because of its central location, parents aren't restricted to sending their children to local institutions, and schools such as Clifton, Durban High School and Durban Girls’ College remain popular choices for local residents.
This vibrant area of Durban offers a variety of homes to choose from. Interestingly, many of the smaller, slightly run down older properties have undergone a revamp and have been transformed into upmarket, gorgeous homes. This, however, doesn't mean that first-time buyers won't be able to afford to buy here – there are numerous apartments and less grandiose properties available for those working with a limited budget.
The community spirit is good with residents actively participating in local affairs. It's great that all amenities are so close and if you can't find what you are looking for, the central location allows easy access to the rest of Durban.
Fatima Abdullah, resident.
Nearby medical facilities:
- Netcare Parklands Hospital
- McCord Hospital
- Nu-Shifa Hospital
Best in food:
- Caminettos
- Johnny’s Roti Sunrise Chip ‘N Ranch
- Adega Portuguese Restaurant
Top schools:
- Hartley Road Primary School
- Overport SRS Primary School
- Overport Secondary School
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
