Se-Anne Rall|Published
For Durban residents who still remember the excitement of a day spent at Funworld, the prospect of amusement rides returning to the beachfront is becoming a little more real.
The proposed R980 million Durban Amusement Park has reached another milestone after securing approval for project development funding from a development finance institution.
The development, planned for the former Durban Funworld site along the city's popular Golden Mile, promises a new family entertainment destination featuring amusement rides, digital attractions, retail spaces and an upgraded amphitheatre.
The project has also received national recognition, having been selected by the National Department of Tourism as one of its key tourism infrastructure developments.
However, while the funding approval marks progress, construction has not yet begun.
When will the new Durban Amusement Park be built?
According to the project update, the design stage has been completed and technical planning is under way.
Statutory development processes are expected to continue until the end of the first quarter of 2027, with construction scheduled to follow.
The approved funding will support the statutory processes, detailed planning and technical aspects needed before construction can begin.
The development finance institution approved the funding after completing its assessment of the project.
The approval represents an important step towards turning the proposed attraction into a permanent feature of Durban's beachfront.
No official opening date has been provided.
What attractions will the Durban Amusement Park offer?
The proposed development aims to bring back the excitement of a permanent, ride-focused attraction to Durban's beachfront following the closure of Funworld.
But the plans extend beyond traditional amusement rides.
The park is expected to feature:
Multiple world-class amusement rides.
An extended reality and digital entertainment zone.
A curated selection of retail outlets.
An upgraded amphitheatre designed to accommodate events.
Indoor and outdoor attractions suitable for different weather conditions.
The combination of indoor and outdoor entertainment is intended to allow the park to operate throughout the year, including during rainy weather and in the evenings.
For families, holidaymakers and local visitors, the development aims to create another reason to spend time along Durban's beachfront.
Why the former Funworld site was chosen
The new amusement park is planned for the former Durban Funworld site in the central beach precinct.
The development will operate under a long-term development lease with the eThekwini Municipality.
Its location places it along one of Durban's most visited tourism corridors.
According to the project information, the Golden Mile attracts more than 17 million promenade visits annually.
The new park is intended to encourage visitors to stay longer, return more frequently and spend more at nearby restaurants, hotels and tourism businesses.
The development is also expected to complement existing beachfront attractions by introducing a permanent family entertainment offering.
R980 million development expected to create 1,400 jobs
Beyond entertainment, the Durban Amusement Park is expected to contribute to the local economy.
The development is projected to create approximately 1,400 jobs across its construction and operational phases.
Local small businesses are also expected to form part of the park's supply chain, creating opportunities linked to the development.
The project forms part of more than R2 billion in investment already spent or committed towards Durban's beachfront.
It is positioned as an entertainment centrepiece within the broader investment in the precinct.
National tourism support boosts Durban's beachfront plans
The proposed amusement park has also attracted attention beyond KwaZulu-Natal.
The National Department of Tourism selected the project through its 2026 call for projects, recognising it as one of the country's key tourism infrastructure developments.
The municipality submitted the proposal as an investment-ready project, and its inclusion reflects its alignment with national tourism priorities.
The development was also showcased at the South African Tourism Investment Summit, giving it national exposure.
With development funding now approved, the next steps involve completing the necessary statutory processes and technical preparations before construction can get under way.
For Durban's beachfront, the proposed park represents an opportunity to introduce a new generation of amusement attractions to a location once associated with family outings and fun-filled days at Funworld.
And for those hoping to see rides return to the Golden Mile, the latest funding milestone brings that possibility one step closer.
IOL