Famous SA tourist spot slides into financial trouble

Famous SA tourist spot slides into financial trouble

Durban’s uShaka Marine World, once celebrated as Africa’s largest marine theme park and a flagship project for the city’s Point Precinct, is now battling severe financial strain two decades after opening. The R700 million facility, launched in April 2004, was positioned as both a tourist spot and a driver of urban renewal. Since then, it has welcomed over 15 million visitors, offering attractions such as the world’s fifth-largest aquarium, the W…

Iconic SA Tourist Attraction Struggling To Stay Afloat

[Image: uShaka / Facebook] Once the shining jewel of KwaZulu-Natal tourism, the iconic uShaka Marine World in Durban is facing a financial crisis, only two decades after opening. Despite generating around R273.5 million in total revenue during the 2023/24 financial year (including a R127.3 million grant and R14 million cash injection from the eThekwini municipality), the park’s operating expenses of R264 million have resulted in significant loss…

Popular SA tourist spot struggles with financial troubles

Durban’s uShaka Marine World, once celebrated as Africa’s largest marine theme park and the flagship project of the city’s Point Precinct, now battles severe financial strain two decades after its launch. The city opened the R700 million facility in April 2004 as both a tourist attraction and a catalyst for urban renewal. Since then, more than 15 million visitors have experienced its attractions, including the world’s fifth-largest aquarium, the…

Iconic SA tourist spot in trouble

By Razeen Gutta The iconic uShaka Marine World in Durban is facing severe financial strain, two decades after opening. Despite generating R202 million in revenue, the park’s operating expenses of R264 million have resulted in significant losses. The eThekwini municipality has been bridging the gap, contributing nearly half of uShaka’s income, including a R127.3 million grant and R14 million cash injection last year. CEO Ndabo Khoza attributed th…