The original Durban Town Hall, is today home of the General Post Office Building, and was designed in 1882 by Phillip Dudgeon. The foundation stone was laid in 1883 and the building was opened in 1885. The building is an excellent example of neo classical architecture with its tall columns and protruding clock tower. This old building also played an important part in the history of Natal.

The Victorian building was used as the Town Hall from 1885 to 1910, until the town grew unexpectedly, and a newer, bigger town hall was needed. This was before the arrival of skyscrapers to the city's skyline, and the Post Office and the new City Hall were the most prominent features of Durban's horizon. Today they are towered over by the various high rise structures of the Central business district, but their antique sophistication and beauty beauty still exudes.

The old building is perhaps remembered for the speech that war correspondent Winston Churchill gave from its steps after escaping from a Boer POW camp in Pretoria during the second Boer War. It was also the venue in 1908 where negotiations were first held to unify the four provinces of South Africa. Today the building stands as a National Monument.

Address : Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, Durban, 4001
Contact : (tel) +27 (0) 31 336 3930 (fax) +27 (0) 31 336 3925