University of Natal
Encyclopedia
The University of Natal was a university in Natal
, and later KwaZulu-Natal
in South Africa
, that is now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal
. It was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College in Pietermaritzburg
, and expanded to include a campus in Durban
in 1931. In 1947, the university opened a medical school for non-white students in Durban. The Pietermaritzburg campus was known for its agricultural engineering course, hence the nickname 'the farmers' while the Durban campus was known as 'the engineers' as it concentrated on other forms of engineering.
Durban campus. The campus is strung out along the Berea
, a ridge to the north of the Durban city centre. Under apartheid, the Durban university was known for the activism of its staff and students against government-imposed racial segregation. In the 1970's and 1980's many of its students were members of the often-banned NUSAS (National Union South African Students), centered on the main arts centre of the campus at Howard College. In addition, the university magazine Dome (named for the dome of Howard College), was active against apartheid and was often banned, with the printing press being moved around to prevent its being confiscated by police. In 1980 there was a brief boycotting of the food hall for the college residences because of the unfair treatment of black staff by the food supply contractor FEDICS. The Durban campus had many onsite residential colleges, named for prominent South Africans including Ernest Jansen, Louis Botha
and Mabel Palmer. The main science block, completed in the early 1980's, was a pivotal location for biological research and game conservation for the province.
Pietermartizburg campus was the original campus, though it later became the smaller of the two main campuses. The campus is in a suburban location, centered around the library and administration buildings. The library houses many historic books, including colonial history and Boer war
history. Unlike the Durban campus, most students do not live in residence on campus.
On 1 January 2004, the university was merged with the University of Durban-Westville
to form the University of KwaZulu-Natal
.
Natal Province
Natal, meaning "Christmas" in Portuguese, was a province of South Africa from 1910 until 1994. Its capital was Pietermaritzburg. The Natal Province included the bantustan of KwaZulu...
, and later KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, that is now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal or UKZN is a university with five campuses all located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville.-History:-University of...
. It was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College in Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
, and expanded to include a campus in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
in 1931. In 1947, the university opened a medical school for non-white students in Durban. The Pietermaritzburg campus was known for its agricultural engineering course, hence the nickname 'the farmers' while the Durban campus was known as 'the engineers' as it concentrated on other forms of engineering.
Berea, Durban
The Berea is a ridge above the city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa on the northern side which overlooks the city centre and the Indian Ocean. Berea is also used as a collective designation for the suburbs in the area...
, a ridge to the north of the Durban city centre. Under apartheid, the Durban university was known for the activism of its staff and students against government-imposed racial segregation. In the 1970's and 1980's many of its students were members of the often-banned NUSAS (National Union South African Students), centered on the main arts centre of the campus at Howard College. In addition, the university magazine Dome (named for the dome of Howard College), was active against apartheid and was often banned, with the printing press being moved around to prevent its being confiscated by police. In 1980 there was a brief boycotting of the food hall for the college residences because of the unfair treatment of black staff by the food supply contractor FEDICS. The Durban campus had many onsite residential colleges, named for prominent South Africans including Ernest Jansen, Louis Botha
Louis Botha
Louis Botha was an Afrikaner and first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa—the forerunner of the modern South African state...
and Mabel Palmer. The main science block, completed in the early 1980's, was a pivotal location for biological research and game conservation for the province.
Boer War
The Boer Wars were two wars fought between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics, the Oranje Vrijstaat and the Republiek van Transvaal ....
history. Unlike the Durban campus, most students do not live in residence on campus.
On 1 January 2004, the university was merged with the University of Durban-Westville
University of Durban-Westville
The University of Durban-Westville was formerly a university situated in Westville, Durban opened 1972. It now forms part of the campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Known as UDW, it was initially established for Indians as during apartheid there were few universities that admitted non-White...
to form the University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal or UKZN is a university with five campuses all located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville.-History:-University of...
.