Then & Now: Umhlanga Lighthouse
Last week we looked at the Bluff Lighthouse, and this week we look at its first cousin, the Umhlanga Lighthouse.
This article explores the Umhlanga Lighthouse, a prominent landmark in Durban, South Africa. The lighthouse was first lit on November 25, 1954, and is owned by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). It stands at 21 meters tall and is made of concrete, featuring a white exterior with a red top and red lantern house. The rotating lens system emits three flashes every 20 seconds, visible from a distance of 24 nautical miles.
Constructed in just four days and 19 hours, the Umhlanga Lighthouse was commissioned a year after the nearby Cooper Lighthouse, both designed identically. Initially, the lighthouse was situated on the grounds of the Oyster Box Hotel, but after severe erosion in January 1953, the current location on the uMhlanga Promenade was chosen, offering a more stable rock foundation.
Today, the Umhlanga Lighthouse is a prominent feature along the Umhlanga promenade, surrounded by significant growth in the area. The nearby Oyster Box Hotel, featured in old photographs, has transformed into a renowned hotel. Other notable lighthouses in KwaZulu-Natal include Cape Vidal, Cooper, Durnford, Green Point, Ifafa, Jesser Point, North Sand Bluff, Port Shepstone, Richards Bay, and Tugela.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
