Operational overhaul mooted for uShaka Marine World

Plan aims to reduce reliance on municipal funding

- THAMI MAGUBANE

USHAKA Marine World in Durban is set to undergo a significant overhaul, with plans to outsource most of its operations.

This initiative is part of the eThekwini Municipality's efforts to achieve financial stability for the entity, known officially as the Durban Marine Theme Park (DMTP).

The City said in a recent media statement that the executive committee recommended the approval of Business Plan Option 2, which prioritises outsourcing operations and reducing reliance on municipal funding as the strategic model for DMTP. However, the plan still has to be approved by the City’s full council.

Option 2 has raised concerns among some workers who fear potential job losses due to the strategy outlined in the business plan document.

Asked about potential job losses, the City told The Mercury this week that there are no projected retrenchments at this stage.

Making uShaka Marine World financially sustainable has been discussed for several years. In October 2019, the council allocated R6 million for a feasibility study aimed at evaluating operational models for the DMTP. This study was delivered in seven phases, culminating in the presentation of two business model options to the municipality.

In their media statement after exco approved Option 2, the City said the plan includes the initiation of a procurement process to identify suitable private operators and for the City Manager to oversee the transition in collaboration with the appointed multidisciplinary committee. It added that the implementation of Business Plan Option 2 will only be implemented in the 2026/27 financial year.