By Charmaine Ndlela
Durban’s R980 million beachfront amusement park has secured funding for its development phase, with the eThekwini Municipality expecting the project to create over 1000 jobs during construction and operations.
The project is planned for the former Durban Funworld site, about two kilometres from uShaka Marine World.
“With funding approved, the development has completed its design stage, and technical planning work is under way. Statutory development work will follow and is expected to run to the end of the first quarter of 2027, with construction to follow,” the municipality said on Wednesday.
No construction start date has been announced.
The park is expected to introduce a permanent, ride-led family entertainment attraction to Durban’s beachfront, which has been without such a facility since Funworld closed.
“This approval is a critical step towards construction as it confirms institutional confidence,” the municipality said.
“The development finance institution has completed its assessment of the project and approved the funding. It also funds the statutory work and supports the detailed planning and technical aspects.”
The project has received national recognition after being selected by the National Department of Tourism through its 2026 call for projects as one of the key tourism infrastructure developments supported by the department.
The municipality submitted the amusement park as an investment-ready project, reflecting alignment with national tourism priorities.
It was also showcased at the South African Tourism Investment Summit.
“The development is expected to create about 1,400 jobs across construction and operations, with local small businesses built into the park’s supply chain,” the municipality said.
It said the Golden Mile already records more than 17 million promenade visits annually.
“The park is designed to give those visitors more reasons to stay longer, return more often and spend more in surrounding hotels, restaurants and other tourism businesses,” it said.
The park is set to feature multiple “world-class” rides, an extended reality and digital entertainment zone, curated retail offering, and an upgraded amphitheatre focused on events.
The development will operate under a long-term development lease with the municipality and form part of the central beach precinct.
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