All Article Properties:
{
"access_control": false,
"status": "publish",
"objectType": "Article",
"id": "2183992",
"signature": "Article:2183992",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-05-14-photo-essay-durbans-decay-and-neglect/",
"shorturl": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2183992",
"slug": "photo-essay-durbans-decay-and-neglect",
"contentType": {
"id": "1",
"name": "Article",
"slug": "article"
},
"views": 0,
"comments": 39,
"preview_limit": null,
"excludedFromGoogleSearchEngine": 0,
"title": "Photo Essay: Durban's decay and neglect",
"firstPublished": "2024-05-14 17:28:58",
"lastUpdate": "2024-05-14 19:10:01",
"categories": [
{
"id": "29",
"name": "South Africa",
"signature": "Category:29",
"slug": "south-africa",
"typeId": {
"typeId": "1",
"name": "Daily Maverick",
"slug": "",
"includeInIssue": "0",
"shortened_domain": "",
"stylesheetClass": "",
"domain": "staging.dailymaverick.co.za",
"articleUrlPrefix": "",
"access_groups": "[]",
"locale": "",
"preview_limit": null
},
"parentId": null,
"parent": [],
"image": "",
"cover": "",
"logo": "",
"paid": "0",
"objectType": "Category",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/category/south-africa/",
"cssCode": "",
"template": "default",
"tagline": "",
"link_param": null,
"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
"metaDescription": "",
"order": "0",
"pageId": null,
"articlesCount": null,
"allowComments": "1",
"accessType": "freecount",
"status": "1",
"children": [],
"cached": true
},
{
"id": "387188",
"name": "Maverick News",
"signature": "Category:387188",
"slug": "maverick-news",
"typeId": {
"typeId": "1",
"name": "Daily Maverick",
"slug": "",
"includeInIssue": "0",
"shortened_domain": "",
"stylesheetClass": "",
"domain": "staging.dailymaverick.co.za",
"articleUrlPrefix": "",
"access_groups": "[]",
"locale": "",
"preview_limit": null
},
"parentId": null,
"parent": [],
"image": "",
"cover": "",
"logo": "",
"paid": "0",
"objectType": "Category",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/category/maverick-news/",
"cssCode": "",
"template": "default",
"tagline": "",
"link_param": null,
"description": "",
"metaDescription": "",
"order": "0",
"pageId": null,
"articlesCount": null,
"allowComments": "1",
"accessType": "freecount",
"status": "1",
"children": [],
"cached": true
}
],
"content_length": 3175,
"contents": "Informal traders have taken over the sidewalks of the Durban CBD and Pietermaritzburg. Trying to navigate Durban, I couldn’t help but think how this once proud and beautiful city had become a shadow of its formal self. The city centre is overrun with homeless people, carrying recyclables and trying to sell their collections to trucks driving around. For many, this is the only way to survive, hoping to sell a few pieces of cardboard in return for a few rands to buy a meal.\r\n\r\n<strong>Read more in Daily Maverick:</strong> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2023-10-01-durban-mayor-acts-like-an-autocrat-while-the-city-decays-for-all-to-see/\">Durban mayor acts like an autocrat while the city decays for all to see</a>\r\n\r\nHawkers mostly sell food such as mealie meal and secondhand clothing, using anything with wheels to move their goods around.\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181649\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1559.jpg\" alt=\"Pietermaritzburg\" width=\"720\" height=\"440\" /> <em>MK party and ANC posters hanging on a street pole in Pietermaritzburg CBD. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\nAs elections loom, campaign posters are on every lamp post, standing guard over dirty water flowing in the road gutters. It was heartbreaking to witness. <b>DM</b>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/_20v1483/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181639\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1483.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"403\" /></a> <em>A garbage collector prepares a load of cardboards to be sold to recyclers in the city. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181657\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1437.jpg\" alt=\"Durban\" width=\"720\" height=\"373\" /> <em>A man crosses Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street in Durban, pulling a trolley heaving under a load of mealie meal which he will deliver to various informal traders. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181656\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1450.jpg\" alt=\"Durban CBD\" width=\"720\" height=\"423\" /> <em>Trolley operators in the Durban CBD lining up for more load requests as their way of making a hard-earned living moving wares for the street sellers. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181654\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1454.jpg\" alt=\"Durban hawkers\" width=\"720\" height=\"393\" /> <em>Discarded waste on the pavement corner Dr A B Xuma and Dr Yusuf Dadoo streets with hawkers living the streets. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181653\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1460.jpg\" alt=\"Dragonwyck building\" width=\"720\" height=\"445\" /> <em>Dragonwyck building at the corner of Broad and St Georges streets. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181652\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1463.jpg\" alt=\"Park Road, Durban CBD\" width=\"720\" height=\"396\" /> <em>Decay and filth on Park Road in the Durban CBD. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181650\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1473.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"435\" /> <em>Garbage and discarded bins left in the middle of the road near Victoria Street in Durban. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181648\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1544.jpg\" alt=\"Durban China Mall\" width=\"720\" height=\"468\" /> <em>A Durban China Mall building that was damaged by fire in 2021. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181646\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1539.jpg\" alt=\"Early Morning Market\" width=\"720\" height=\"458\" /> <em>Taxis parked next to Durban’s Early Morning Market. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181644\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1527.jpg\" alt=\"Durban\" width=\"720\" height=\"459\" /> <em>An elderly lady tries to cross the street on busy Warwick Avenue. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181642\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1506.jpg\" alt=\"Hawker\" width=\"720\" height=\"394\" /> <em>A hawker selling chicken gizzards in Durban’s Warwick Avenue prepares the delicacy for his customers. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181641\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1499.jpg\" alt=\"Warwick Avenue, Durban\" width=\"720\" height=\"410\" /> <em>A trolley operator crosses the street on busy Warwick Avenue in Durban, near the Early Morning Market. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181640\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1479.jpg\" alt=\"garbage collector\" width=\"720\" height=\"416\" /> <em>A garbage collector carries a load of cardboard to be sold to recyclers in the City. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181637\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1470.jpg\" alt=\"Vegetable hawkers\" width=\"720\" height=\"414\" /> <em>Hawkers selling vegetables in Durban’s Warwick Avenue prepare stock for their customers. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2181634\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2777.jpg\" alt=\"Marikana building\" width=\"720\" height=\"445\" /> <em>Decay at the Marikana building on University Street, Durban. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"Election questions 2024\" width=\"100%\" height=\"723\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" data-tally-src=\"https://tally.so/embed/mJAEM7?hideTitle=1&dynamicHeight=1\"></iframe><script>var d=document,w=\"https://tally.so/widgets/embed.js\",v=function(){\"undefined\"!=typeof Tally?Tally.loadEmbeds():d.querySelectorAll(\"iframe[data-tally-src]:not([src])\").forEach((function(e){e.src=e.dataset.tallySrc}))};if(\"undefined\"!=typeof Tally)v();else if(d.querySelector('script[src=\"'+w+'\"]')==null){var s=d.createElement(\"script\");s.src=w,s.onload=v,s.onerror=v,d.body.appendChild(s);}</script>",
"teaser": "Photo Essay: Durban's decay and neglect",
"externalUrl": "",
"sponsor": null,
"authors": [
{
"id": "238947",
"name": "Felix Dlangamandla",
"image": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Felix.png",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/author/felix-dlangamandla/",
"editorialName": "felix-dlangamandla",
"department": "",
"name_latin": ""
}
],
"description": "",
"keywords": [
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "4124",
"name": "Poverty",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/poverty/",
"slug": "poverty",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Poverty",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "4555",
"name": "Durban",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/durban/",
"slug": "durban",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Durban",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "7230",
"name": "Infrastructure",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/infrastructure/",
"slug": "infrastructure",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Infrastructure",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "10231",
"name": "Urban decay",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/urban-decay/",
"slug": "urban-decay",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Urban decay",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "79485",
"name": "Photo Essay",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/photo-essay/",
"slug": "photo-essay",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Photo Essay",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "348306",
"name": "2024 elections",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/2024-elections/",
"slug": "2024-elections",
"description": "<p data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:299\">The 2024 general elections in South Africa are<span class=\"citation-0 citation-end-0\"> the seventh elections held under the conditions of universal adult suffrage since the end of the apartheid era in 1994. The</span> elections will be held to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each province.</p>\r\n<p data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:251\">The current ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has been in power since the first democratic elections in 1994. The ANC's popularity has declined in recent years due to corruption, economic mismanagement, and high unemployment.</p>\r\n<p data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:207\">The main opposition party is the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA is particularly popular among white and middle-class voters.</p>\r\n<p data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:387\">Other opposition parties include the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The EFF is a left-wing populist party that is popular among young black voters. The FF+ is a right-wing party that represents the interests of white Afrikaans-speaking voters. The IFP is a regional party that is popular in the KwaZulu-Natal province.</p>\r\n<p data-sourcepos=\"15:1-15:84\">Here are some of the key issues that will be at stake in the 2024 elections:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul data-sourcepos=\"17:1-22:0\">\r\n \t<li data-sourcepos=\"17:1-17:205\">The economy: South Africa is facing a number of economic challenges, including high unemployment, poverty, and inequality. The next government will need to focus on creating jobs and growing the economy.</li>\r\n \t<li data-sourcepos=\"18:1-18:171\">Corruption: Corruption is a major problem in South Africa. The next government will need to take steps to address corruption and restore public confidence in government.</li>\r\n \t<li data-sourcepos=\"19:1-19:144\">Crime: Crime is another major problem in South Africa. The next government will need to take steps to reduce crime and make communities safer.</li>\r\n \t<li data-sourcepos=\"20:1-20:188\">Education: The quality of education in South Africa is uneven. The next government will need to invest in education and ensure that all South Africans have access to a quality education.</li>\r\n \t<li data-sourcepos=\"21:1-22:0\">Healthcare: The quality of healthcare in South Africa is also uneven. The next government will need to invest in healthcare and ensure that all South Africans have access to quality healthcare.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe 2024 elections are an opportunity for South Africans to choose a new government that will address the challenges facing the country. The outcome of the elections will have a significant impact on the future of South Africa",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "2024 elections",
"translations": null
}
}
],
"short_summary": null,
"source": null,
"related": [],
"options": [],
"attachments": [
{
"id": "20651",
"name": "Decay at the Marikana building on University Street, Durban. 8 May 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)",
"description": "Informal traders have taken over the sidewalks of the Durban CBD and Pietermaritzburg. Trying to navigate Durban, I couldn’t help but think how this once proud and beautiful city had become a shadow of its formal self. The city centre is overrun with homeless people, carrying recyclables and trying to sell their collections to trucks driving around. For many, this is the only way to survive, hoping to sell a few pieces of cardboard in return for a few rands to buy a meal.\r\n\r\n<strong>Read more in Daily Maverick:</strong> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2023-10-01-durban-mayor-acts-like-an-autocrat-while-the-city-decays-for-all-to-see/\">Durban mayor acts like an autocrat while the city decays for all to see</a>\r\n\r\nHawkers mostly sell food such as mealie meal and secondhand clothing, using anything with wheels to move their goods around.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181649\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181649\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1559.jpg\" alt=\"Pietermaritzburg\" width=\"720\" height=\"440\" /> <em>MK party and ANC posters hanging on a street pole in Pietermaritzburg CBD. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs elections loom, campaign posters are on every lamp post, standing guard over dirty water flowing in the road gutters. It was heartbreaking to witness. <b>DM</b>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181639\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/_20v1483/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181639\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1483.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"403\" /></a> <em>A garbage collector prepares a load of cardboards to be sold to recyclers in the city. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181657\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181657\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1437.jpg\" alt=\"Durban\" width=\"720\" height=\"373\" /> <em>A man crosses Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street in Durban, pulling a trolley heaving under a load of mealie meal which he will deliver to various informal traders. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181656\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181656\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1450.jpg\" alt=\"Durban CBD\" width=\"720\" height=\"423\" /> <em>Trolley operators in the Durban CBD lining up for more load requests as their way of making a hard-earned living moving wares for the street sellers. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181654\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181654\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1454.jpg\" alt=\"Durban hawkers\" width=\"720\" height=\"393\" /> <em>Discarded waste on the pavement corner Dr A B Xuma and Dr Yusuf Dadoo streets with hawkers living the streets. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181653\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181653\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1460.jpg\" alt=\"Dragonwyck building\" width=\"720\" height=\"445\" /> <em>Dragonwyck building at the corner of Broad and St Georges streets. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181652\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181652\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1463.jpg\" alt=\"Park Road, Durban CBD\" width=\"720\" height=\"396\" /> <em>Decay and filth on Park Road in the Durban CBD. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181650\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181650\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1473.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"435\" /> <em>Garbage and discarded bins left in the middle of the road near Victoria Street in Durban. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181648\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181648\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1544.jpg\" alt=\"Durban China Mall\" width=\"720\" height=\"468\" /> <em>A Durban China Mall building that was damaged by fire in 2021. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181646\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181646\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1539.jpg\" alt=\"Early Morning Market\" width=\"720\" height=\"458\" /> <em>Taxis parked next to Durban’s Early Morning Market. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181644\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181644\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1527.jpg\" alt=\"Durban\" width=\"720\" height=\"459\" /> <em>An elderly lady tries to cross the street on busy Warwick Avenue. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181642\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1506.jpg\" alt=\"Hawker\" width=\"720\" height=\"394\" /> <em>A hawker selling chicken gizzards in Durban’s Warwick Avenue prepares the delicacy for his customers. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181641\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1499.jpg\" alt=\"Warwick Avenue, Durban\" width=\"720\" height=\"410\" /> <em>A trolley operator crosses the street on busy Warwick Avenue in Durban, near the Early Morning Market. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181640\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181640\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1479.jpg\" alt=\"garbage collector\" width=\"720\" height=\"416\" /> <em>A garbage collector carries a load of cardboard to be sold to recyclers in the City. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181637\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181637\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V1470.jpg\" alt=\"Vegetable hawkers\" width=\"720\" height=\"414\" /> <em>Hawkers selling vegetables in Durban’s Warwick Avenue prepare stock for their customers. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181634\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2181634\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2777.jpg\" alt=\"Marikana building\" width=\"720\" height=\"445\" /> <em>Decay at the Marikana building on University Street, Durban. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"Election questions 2024\" width=\"100%\" height=\"723\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" data-tally-src=\"https://tally.so/embed/mJAEM7?hideTitle=1&dynamicHeight=1\"></iframe><script>var d=document,w=\"https://tally.so/widgets/embed.js\",v=function(){\"undefined\"!=typeof Tally?Tally.loadEmbeds():d.querySelectorAll(\"iframe[data-tally-src]:not([src])\").forEach((function(e){e.src=e.dataset.tallySrc}))};if(\"undefined\"!=typeof Tally)v();else if(d.querySelector('script[src=\"'+w+'\"]')==null){var s=d.createElement(\"script\");s.src=w,s.onload=v,s.onerror=v,d.body.appendChild(s);}</script>",
"focal": "50% 50%",
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg",
"transforms": [
{
"x": "200",
"y": "100",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/YzPAt83UmyqcGXuNB0iZRyiRbIs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg"
},
{
"x": "450",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/KKfn7vSMrJageAng06GQAR8qIW4=/450x0/smart/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg"
},
{
"x": "800",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/hK1bZLKTlLA8048Si5qquhNWibo=/800x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg"
},
{
"x": "1200",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/NqATNuPcGLXZohcsOxIdSjMaFF0=/1200x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg"
},
{
"x": "1600",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/0B3f7i9GvICM79OT-xHNCb1KyNw=/1600x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg"
}
],
"url_thumbnail": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/YzPAt83UmyqcGXuNB0iZRyiRbIs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg",
"url_medium": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/KKfn7vSMrJageAng06GQAR8qIW4=/450x0/smart/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg",
"url_large": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/hK1bZLKTlLA8048Si5qquhNWibo=/800x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg",
"url_xl": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/NqATNuPcGLXZohcsOxIdSjMaFF0=/1200x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg",
"url_xxl": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/0B3f7i9GvICM79OT-xHNCb1KyNw=/1600x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20V2791.jpg",
"type": "image"
}
],
"summary": "Daily Maverick’s Chief Photographer spent last week in KwaZulu-Natal on the election trail as the African National Congress rolled out the big guns in the contested and critical province. His camera captured images from Durban’s city centre.",
"template_type": null,
"dm_custom_section_label": null,
"elements": [],
"seo": {
"search_title": "Photo Essay: Durban's decay and neglect",
"search_description": "Informal traders have taken over the sidewalks of the Durban CBD and Pietermaritzburg. Trying to navigate Durban, I couldn’t help but think how this once proud and beautiful city had become a shadow o",
"social_title": "Photo Essay: Durban's decay and neglect",
"social_description": "Informal traders have taken over the sidewalks of the Durban CBD and Pietermaritzburg. Trying to navigate Durban, I couldn’t help but think how this once proud and beautiful city had become a shadow o",
"social_image": ""
},
"cached": true,
"access_allowed": true
} 
MK party and ANC posters hanging on a street pole in Pietermaritzburg CBD. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
A garbage collector prepares a load of cardboards to be sold to recyclers in the city. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
A man crosses Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street in Durban, pulling a trolley heaving under a load of mealie meal which he will deliver to various informal traders. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Trolley operators in the Durban CBD lining up for more load requests as their way of making a hard-earned living moving wares for the street sellers. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Discarded waste on the pavement corner Dr A B Xuma and Dr Yusuf Dadoo streets with hawkers living the streets. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Dragonwyck building at the corner of Broad and St Georges streets. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Decay and filth on Park Road in the Durban CBD. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Garbage and discarded bins left in the middle of the road near Victoria Street in Durban. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
A Durban China Mall building that was damaged by fire in 2021. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Taxis parked next to Durban’s Early Morning Market. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
An elderly lady tries to cross the street on busy Warwick Avenue. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
A hawker selling chicken gizzards in Durban’s Warwick Avenue prepares the delicacy for his customers. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
A trolley operator crosses the street on busy Warwick Avenue in Durban, near the Early Morning Market. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
A garbage collector carries a load of cardboard to be sold to recyclers in the City. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Hawkers selling vegetables in Durban’s Warwick Avenue prepare stock for their customers. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Decay at the Marikana building on University Street, Durban. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)