SINCE shutting down on February 12, after workers from uShaka Marine World issued management with a strike notice over a wage dispute, the theme park officially opened its doors to the public on Saturday, March 16, just in time for the Easter holidays.
Before this development, the eThekwini Municipality-owned entity, uShaka Marine World, had, over the last few months, been engaged in salary increase negotiations with the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), the union representing the bargaining-unit employees.
uShaka CEO Ndabo Khoza said that, on February 9, despite the employer’s best endeavours, the parties could not come to an agreement, and the matter was referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for intervention.
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However, to the delight of the public, uShaka Marine World has recently announced that the wage dispute between uShaka Marine World and SAMWU has been settled. The strike was suspended officially from Friday, March 15.
The theme park began accepting guests on Saturday, March 16, however, according to a statement released by the eThekwini Municipality regarding the reopening of uShaka, the reopening of the various offerings will have a staggered approach.
- Village Walk Mall – opened on Saturday, March 16.
- Dangerous Creatures – opened on Saturday, March 16.
- Sea Animal Encounter Island – opened on Saturday, March 16.
- Sea World – opened on Saturday, March 16.
- Cargo Hold Restaurant – opened on Monday, March 18.
- Wahooz Restaurant – opened on Monday, March 18.
- Kids World – opens on Wednesday, March 20.
- Wet ‘n Wild – opens on Wednesday, March 20.
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“We wish to apologise for any inconvenience the closure of the park may have caused, and we thank all stakeholders for the patience and support shown to the organisation during this period,” said the Municipality.
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