Durban’s beachfront is changing, and some of the places that have been part of local memories for years are disappearing.

The recent closure of Surf Riders Café at South Beach has left many Durban residents feeling nostalgic. The popular restaurant was ordered to vacate its premises by 30 September 2026, after its original lease expired and the municipality completed a process to appoint a new tenant. eThekwini Municipality has also cited outstanding rental charges as part of the matter.

For many people, Surf Riders was more than just a restaurant. Its relaxed beachfront setting made it a familiar meeting place for locals, surfers, families and visitors.But Surf Riders is not the only well-known name to disappear from the Golden Mile in recent years.

One of the biggest changes came in May 2023, when the much-loved Durban Funworld closed after decades on the beachfront.The closure left a noticeable gap along the Golden Mile. Local traders and restaurants later spoke about the effect of losing the attraction, saying the reduced foot traffic was making business increasingly difficult.

Other beachfront businesses have also changed or closed over the years as municipal properties have been reviewed and new leasing arrangements introduced. This has created a very different atmosphere along parts of the promenade, with some familiar businesses disappearing while the City works towards a new vision for the area.

The R1 billion amusement park

The future of the former Funworld site is now much clearer.

The new amusement park was first featured in Unfold Durban Magazine Issue 12, in an article written by Lyse Comins.

Published in December 2025, the article, “Durban’s Golden Mile to Get R1bn Amusement Park,” reported on the planned transformation of the old Funworld site and highlighted the proposed rides, virtual reality park, family entertainment areas, and expected job creation.

The article also reported on the wider investment taking place along the Golden Mile, including Southern Sun’s planned redevelopment of the Elangeni and Maharani Towers.

Read the original article in Unfold Durban Magazine, Issue 12, on page 24–25.

Read Unfold Durban Magazine Issue 12

In December 2025, eThekwini Municipality announced plans for a R1 billion world-class amusement and family entertainment park, with completion targeted for 2027. The project is being led by Durban-based Masithu Consulting and Project Managers, in partnership with international amusement engineering specialists.

The planned attraction will include a Lightning Roller Coaster, Disko 24, a Vertical Swing and a 1,500m² virtual reality theme park featuring more than 160 interactive games and e-sports experiences. The development is expected to create approximately 900 construction jobs and more than 500 permanent jobs once operational.

Interestingly, the idea of redeveloping the Funworld site has been in the works for several years. In April 2023, eThekwini Municipality confirmed that it was already exploring new uses for the site and intended to attract developers to create a modern attraction that would meet world-class standards.

The new amusement park is therefore part of a longer-term plan to revitalise the Golden Mile and bring more investment and visitors back to the beachfront.

A bittersweet change for Durban

There is plenty to look forward to. A new amusement park could bring thousands of visitors, create jobs and give the Golden Mile a major new attraction. But redevelopment also means change.

For the people who grew up visiting Funworld, meeting friends at beachfront restaurants or stopping for coffee at familiar spots, the Golden Mile is losing pieces of its history along the way. The hope is that the new developments will bring fresh energy to Durban’s beachfront while creating new memories for the next generation.

The Golden Mile is getting a new chapter. For many Durbanites, though, the old one will always be part of the story.

Artists impression of the new amusement park

Images Supplied: eThekwini Municipality