Howard College is a historic and prominent campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban.
Location & Setting
- Situated on the Berea Ridge in Glenwood/University area (address: Mazisi Kunene Road, formerly King George V Avenue).
- It offers panoramic views over Durban Harbour, the bay, and parts of the city — a beautiful elevated position with lush gardens and indigenous vegetation.
- It’s not directly on West Street or the Esplanade (Victoria Embankment/Margaret Mncadi Avenue), but it’s closely connected to central Durban. From the CBD (West Street area), you can drive up via major routes like Smith Street or towards the Berea, and the Esplanade/harbour views link visually and thematically — many people combine a harbour drive with a visit to the ridge for the skyline perspective.
History
The campus opened in 1931, funded by a substantial donation from Durban shipping magnate T.B. Davis. He named it after his son, Howard Davis, who was killed in the Battle of the Somme during World War I. The iconic Howard College Building features a majestic rotunda that has become a Durban landmark, visible from many parts of the city. The Memorial Tower Building (with strong Art Deco influences) was later added to commemorate students who died in World War II. It started as the Durban campus of the University of Natal (which had begun in Pietermaritzburg) and became part of UKZN after the 2004 merger.
Today (as of 2026)
Howard College remains one of UKZN’s main Durban campuses. It hosts a wide range of faculties and programmes, including:
- Engineering
- Law
- Science (including Geography & Environmental Sciences)
- Humanities
- Management Studies
- Social Sciences
- Music
The campus has a vibrant student life with gardens, historic buildings, and modern facilities. New student residences are under construction or recently completed in the area. It’s known for its academic reputation (especially the School of Law) and scenic beauty.
Note: There is also a separate Howard FET College (Further Education and Training) with a campus in central Durban (Joe Slovo Street area), which offers vocational and technical courses — but most references to “Howard College” in Durban point to the UKZN campus.
Nostalgia & Durban Connection
Like West Street and the Esplanade, Howard College represents layers of Durban’s history — from colonial-era philanthropy and wartime remembrance to a modern, diverse university in a changing city. Older Durbanites often recall it as a prestigious institution with that classic red-brick and tower skyline dominating the Berea.