Durban air view

9 July 1893

George Christopher Cato (79), Natal pioneer and first mayor of Durban, dies.

George Christopher Cato (79), Natal pioneer and first mayor of Durban, dies in the city on 9 July 1893. 

Cato was born in London, England in 1814. He came to South Africa as a trader. He was asked to plan D'Urban while it was still under the Natalia Republic Government and when D'Urban achieved municipal status in 1845 he was elected as the first Mayor.

In 1865 Cato was granted an area of land behind the current day Natal University. The area was named Cato Manor, it was an extensive piece of colonial acreage awarded by royal decree to George Christopher Cato, in exchange for harbour frontage land expropriated by the military.

This densely populated area thrust Durban into world headlines on more than one occasion read more.

Read South African History Online (SAHO) feature on Cato Manor

Sources:

  1. Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
  2. George Christopher Cato. Website: whoswhosa.co.za
  3. Allan Jackson. (2006). Cato Manor. Website: fad.co.za
  4. Tour of the townships. Website: durban.kzn.org.za