Public telephone kiosks held a unique place in Durban’s history, serving as essential street furniture across the beachfront, Marine Parade, and city center throughout the 20th century.
Key Durban Telephone History
- Municipal Telephones (1901): Durban was unique in South Africa for running its own municipal telephone service operated by the Durban Corporation, rather than the national postal system.
- Street Kiosks: Distinctive blue municipal phone kiosks (and later standard red British-style K6 boxes and Post Office card/coin payphones) were placed along busy pedestrian spots like the beachfront promenades and outside old station entrances.
- The “Tickey” Phone: Generations of locals remember using early coin payphones—popularly known as “tickey boxes” (named after the old three-pence coin)—along Marine Parade and North Beach.
