Salisbury Island: the early years

Abstract

Islands are not a common geographical feature of the South African coastline. Important exceptions include Robben, Bird, Dassen and the extraordinary Dyer Islands off Danger Point. The only ones which existed along the coast of what is now known as KwaZulu-Natal were those situated within the Bay of Natal. Islands have an obvious sense of isolation and being surrounded by water their historical culture has as much to do with the waters around as the separation they enjoy. The early history of Salisbury Island, though now joined to the Bluff by a causeway, has both.