Members of Durban's executive committee have urged board members of the uShaka Marine World to reconsider its tariffs, which they believe have prohibited the city's people from visiting the facility in droves.
This emerged at the eThekwini Municipality's Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday when City Manager Mike Sutcliffe made a presentation on the role played by uShaka Marine World in the revitalisation of the Point precinct.
The committee also approved the R174,5-million loan requested by the management of the park, which needs the finance to service its multimillion-rand debt. However, the park's financial viability will be reviewed after two years, when the matter will be brought before exco for further discussion.
Johannes Mile, an Inkatha Freedom Party councillor and exco member, said the park's tariff structure should be reviewed. He said "the majority of ordinary people in the townships are not aware that some sections of the park allow free access and that has been the reason why most people are staying away".
His call to make the park accessible was echoed by Democratic Alliance caucus leader Lyn Ploos van Amstel who said there was a widely held belief that uShaka was expensive, even for middle-class families.
But Sutcliffe defended the park's tariff structure. He said it was reasonable compared to other big cities offering similar facilities. He said the park had generated money from day one and had also served as a catalyst for the regeneration of the Point area.
"The park has been a major boost for Durban contributing 3.4 percent to the city's gross domestic product and playing an important role in job creation in the city," he said.