Durban’s famous Funworld to shut its doors

Funworld will sadly be closing its doors next month. Photo: @wontratravels / twitter

The Durban beachfront icon, Funworld, will sadly be closing its doors next month – after over 70 years of fun.

Funworld will sadly be closing its doors next month. Photo: @wontratravels / twitter

‘A sad day for Durban’

After offering up glorious fun in the sun for exactly 80 years, the Durban Funworld is saying goodbye. According to IOL, the famous facility will shut down operations on 1 May, with all the amusement rides and attractions to be sold off and removed from the beachfront from 20 April.

As per its history, Durban Funworld has operated under a few names over the years, but it has always been owned and operated by the Steyn family for all of its 80 years.

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Current owner, Nic Steyn, who is a third-generation operator, said the closure would be a sad day for Durban, especially the beachfront.

Steyn said, as per IOL, that as a child growing up in the Durban area, he watched many visitors come to enjoy themselves at the beachfront and at the Funworld.

“I have pictures taken of me as a baby here and now I am in my sixties, this has been quite an experience for me,” Steyn said.

He sadly added that the situation on the beachfront had changed in recent times, negatively 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 stated.

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Current operating hours

The Durban Funworld is still currently operating, so if you want to go make a few more lasting memories, check out the operating schedule from now until closure:

Friday, 24 March – Monday, 10 April – OPEN 12:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, 11 April – Thursday, 13 April – CLOSED
Friday, 14 April – Sunday, 16 April – OPEN 12:00 to 18:00
Monday, 17 April – Thursday, 20 April – CLOSED
Friday, 21 April – Sunday, 23 April – OPEN 12:00 to 18:00
Monday, 24 April – Wednesday, 26 April – CLOSED
Thursday, 27 April – Monday, 1 May – OPEN 12:00 to 18:00

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Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo is a content writer, foodie and all-round adventure-seeker. She's a graduate of the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and has worked as a copywriter and editor in the digital marketing industry. Sundeeka currently writes for I Love South Africa and The South African. She lives in the beautiful Mother City and loves exploring all that South Africa has to offer.