Property

New R1 billion amusement park coming to major South African city

Kirsten Minnaar • 11 December 2025

Durban is set for a major tourism boost with a R1 billion redevelopment of the old Funworld site into a new beachfront amusement park.

During a media briefing on Wednesday, 10 December, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba announced the successful bidder for the project. “The site we are redeveloping occupies a prime position,” he said.

“Its transformation is an integral part of the city’s long-term strategy to revitalise the beachfront economy, attract private investment and strengthen Durban’s position as Africa’s leading coastal tourism destination.”

For 75 years, Durban Funworld was one of the main attractions on the city’s beachfront. However, in 2023, the owner of the amusement park, Nic Steyn, told SABC that 30 workers had lost their jobs after the business finally closed its doors.

Steyn was the third generation in his family to operate the facility. From the time his lease for the property expired in 2017, though, he had been operating on a month-to-month basis.

He had tried to find a buyer for the amusement park, but all efforts had failed when the municipality refused a long-term lease.

“Some of the staff have worked here for decades. Apart from them, there are so many traders. There are hundreds and hundreds of traders all around us that rely on the people,” Steyn said.

“If they come to Funworld, they’re going to end up losing. The people that are all having fun and enjoying themselves – they are going to end up losing out as well.”

Now, over two years after the park closed its doors, Durban Funworld is set to receive a major redevelopment.

“We are pleased that the project has reached a key milestone with the receipt of formal expression of interest from three development funding institutions,” Xaba said.

“This demonstrates strong institutional appetite for the project and confirms alignment with national priorities for tourism growth.”

Major redevelopment at Durban Funworld

Valued at R1 billion, the Funworld amusement park redevelopment forms part of a larger R2 billion private-sector investment pipeline along the Golden Mile.

It complements the Joe Kools redevelopment, enhancements to the Elangeni and Maharani hotels, and the city’s long-term beachfront renewal plan.

The project is expected to be completed in 2027 and will create 900 jobs during construction and 500 permanent jobs once the park opens.

Professional engineering consulting and project management firm Masithu Consulting and Project Managers (MCPM) is behind the project.

The redevelopment will bring about a number of key upgrades to Durban Funworld. This includes the introduction of themed food courts, neon-lit pedestrian walkways and panoramic viewing decks overlooking the ocean and city skyline.

Funworld will also feature a fully redeveloped splash park and a children’s water play area, funded entirely by the developer. The theme park will be an alcohol-free, family-friendly environment.

Some of the amusement park rides include the Lightning Roller Coaster, Disko 24, Vertical Swing, and a 1,500 m² Virtual Reality Theme Park featuring more than 160 interactive games and global e-sports activations.

The park will be developed in partnership with two leading Italian amusement engineering firms, well-known for their projects at Ferrari World, one of the largest indoor theme parks, covering over 86,000 m².

Some of their other famous projects include Universal Studios and Disneyland, two major theme parks in the United States.