uShaka Marine World has received a R22 million cash injection from the eThekwini Municipality to address its ongoing financial challenges.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
Due to historical debt repayments and low visitor turnout, the Durban Marine Theme Park (DMTP), uShaka Marine World, received approval for a R22 million bailout at a council meeting on Friday.
The eThekwini Municipality stated that the challenges facing the DMTP will remain unresolved under the current operating arrangement, and that a turnaround strategy is required to ensure its long-term sustainability.
The municipal entity received the bailout after repurposing R4 million from the capital expenditure grant to an operational grant. The remaining R18.3 million will be sourced from within the city as an operational grant to support the entity’s operations.
The municipality stated that in July 2025, the council committed to meeting any funding shortfalls required to ensure that the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) and the DMTP continue to operate as going concerns.
The DMTP is a municipal entity that receives funds for operations through an annual municipal grant, while the South African Association for Marine and Biological Research (SAMMBR) is responsible for the operational management of Sea World.
The municipal report to council explained that approximately 64% of the entity's revenue is generated through entrance fees. However, due to the slower-than-anticipated COVID-19 recovery, the entity has revised its ticketing revenue projections downward during the 2025/26 mid-term budget adjustment process.
This has resulted in a revenue shortfall. The situation is further compounded by servicing historical debt from COVID-19 trading restrictions. Repayments on this debt amount to R37 million per annum, placing pressure on cash flow.
The municipality stated that various cost containment measures have been implemented, including reducing the staff complement.
Sunitha Maharaj, councillor for the Minority Front in eThekwini, said the annual historical debt repayments seem never-ending, and bailouts are currently in different focus areas.
She said the municipal funding strategy and income revenue generation from tenants and tourists seem broadly mismatched.
“We call for a review of correcting the entity's baseline budget for this iconic precinct. Hopefully, more tourists will come to visit the new statues and also visit uShaka, turning its fortune around.”
Heinz de Boer, DA eThekwini Ward 36 councillor, said the DMTP is financially bankrupt and was one of Durban’s legacy projects costing ratepayers.
According to him, alternative plans needed to be looked into to keep the entity profitable.
“They were hit with high utility bills. The tariff increases coming into effect from July 2026 will sink the municipal entity further. We acknowledge the great work done with the ocean exhibitions, and it is a world-class attraction. Productively develop the property to bring in much-needed income.”
Thembo Ntuli, ANC councillor and Economic Development and Planning Committee chairperson, added that uShaka was a strategic tourism facility and a catalyst for tourism growth in the Point precinct.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za