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 multi-disciplinary committee. It added that the implementation of Business Plan Option 2 will only be implemented in the 2026/27 financial year.

A business plan document on Option 2, which The Mercury has seen, proposes to outsource all food and beverage operations, as well as the water park operations, while having the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) take over all operations pertaining to Sea World. This option also calls for a reduction in the direct DMTP staff complement.

Another document about the business plan indicates that the complete outsourcing of operations would transform DMTP into a facilities manager, collecting rent from tenants with limited capital injection.

The approval by exco of this plan sparked concerns among workers. One worker stated, “uShaka is about to initiate the retrenchment of its staff,” referring to the document “Business Plan Consultant,” which recommended “reducing and outsourcing staff.” This situation is disheartening for staff who previously went on strike for a month with no gains, only to now face potential retrenchment, the worker said.

South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) leader Siyabonga Dladla expressed concerns about the unfolding process. “We have not been consulted on any process that is about to unfold. This option two they speak of is unknown to us. The municipality is aware that before they proceed with any actions, they need to consult with labour and reach a consensus. We will not tolerate any dictatorship.”

DA councillor Welekazi Sibiya said the party had been advocating for the outsourcing of some departments. “The DA in eThekwini is vindicated by the developments regarding uShaka Marine World. The DA has been advocating for the outsourcing of some departments within the entity to ensure it can be self-sustainable and not entirely reliant on the City’s finances for survival. We welcome these developments as they open the door for public/private cooperation and collaboration.”

Sibiya confirmed that the report on the business plan had not been approved by the full council at a meeting last week. She said it had been sent back to the Economic Development and Planning committee.

Action SA councillor Zwakele Mncwango said the item had been referred back to the committee as councillors felt that they needed more information about the option that was being presented. He stated that they supported the item being referred back, as the approach is misguided.

“The strategy cannot be applied to the entity itself; it should look at an overview whether the environment is conducive enough for tourists to come to Durban. Is it safe? Are the beaches safe? It does not matter how much money is being poured into uShaka as long as the other tourism matters are not addressed; it will not help.”

IFP councillor Mdu Nkosi said he was concerned about potential job losses. “We all know that when a new employer comes in, they tend to bring their own employees, and there is a huge possibility of that happening here.” Nkosi acknowledged that the financial situation of uShaka is not ideal, but he said it could be improved through innovation by the current management.

He pointed out that since the facility was established, there have not been any significant new attractions built there. “There are no new attractions that could draw people from all over the city and the country to want to visit the facility,” he added.

In response to questions from The Mercury, the municipality said there were various proposed models and a preferred option was selected. “This option involves the inclusion of private sector investment into the business of the theme park and its operations. The approval of this option allows for the next phase of this study, which is to test the business case.”

“At this stage of the business case test, there are no projected retrenchments. The management at uShaka Marine World has initiated conversations on the matter with the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) as the internal labour partner, as well as with the non-bargaining council employees.”

THE MERCURY

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