Durban’s iconic Funworld amusement park is to close. Image : Unsplash
End of an era: Sad goodbye to a Durban landmark [watch]
The iconic funfair situated on Durban’s Golden Mile will permanently be closing up shop at the end of this month.
Durban’s iconic Funworld amusement park is to close. Image : Unsplash
Durban’s promenade will not be the same without Funworld, its longstanding amusement park. For a great number of South Africans (and visitors from all over the world) Funworld is associated with wonderful childhood memories of trips to Durban, previously dubbed “The city where the fun never sets”.
For many holidaymakers, Durban’s Funworld amusement park conjures up happy memories of family holidays spent in the coastal city.
DURBAN: THE FUN NEVER SETS
To South Africans, Funworld amusement park might possibly have been what Disneyland was to Americans, just on a smaller sale. Time spent at Funworld was fun and exhilarating.
Riding the dodgem cars or vintage cars, getting wet on the “The log” or gleefully taking other rides were experiences that are probably carved into the memories of many South Africans.
Funworld was the place to enjoy exhilarating rides, gorge on scrumptious Wimpy burgers and chocolate-dipped ice-creams, or where one could buy souvenirs from vendors who sold their wares on the pavements. The overhead chairlift offered exceptional views of the city as well as the Indian Ocean.
Many of these experiences are etched into the memories of most visitors to the city.
FUNWORLD: A FAMILY BUSINESS
The Funworld amusement park located on the promenade has been operating for close to 80 years but will be closing for good on 1 May.
Funworld’s owner Nic Steyn, the third generation in the Steyn family to own and operate the amusement park said that the park was built by his family from the ground up.
Steyn who is now in his 60s is no longer in a position to continue operating Funworld. He said that the amusement park is a capital-intensive business.
DETERIORATING LANDSCAPE
Durban’s central business district and the beachfront area have been in decline for a number of years, resulting in fewer visitors to this part of the city.
According to IOL, Steyn expressed sadness at how the situation has changed on the beachfront in recent times, affecting the appearance and appeal of the area.
“Over the past number of years I’ve watched in sadness as the jewel in Durban’s crown, its beachfront, has deteriorated at an alarming rate. I don’t want to add to that deterioration but after six years of operating on a month-to-month basis the situation has become untenable.” Steyn said, per IOL.
DIFFICULT TRADING CONDITIONS
Steyn says that he has encountered difficulties over the years in trying to find a buyer to take over Funworld. The amusement rides, attractions and other assets will be put up for auction online from 20 April, Steyn said.
“I have spent the past 12 years trying to sell the amusement rides and other assets, operated by Funworld, on to a suitable operator that I could mentor, in order for the iconic amusement park to continue to operate, improve and grow, for the benefit of its staff, its patrons and the Durban Beachfront at large,” he said.
