I’m sure there are many reasons to visit Port Elizabeth, I just can’t think of any right now.

All jokes aside it did once boast Bayworld, which was a real drawcard for tourists and locals alike.

Take for example this clip from back in 2008, where you can hear an adoring crowd cheering along to the antics of dolphins Domino and Dumisa:

The problem is that both Domino and Dumisa have been shipped off to Japan as part of a breeding programme, causing attendances to dwindle.

What we are left with is a rather sad state of affairs, much of the facility left in a state of disrepair.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has now been tasked with fixing up the landmark as TimesLive reports:

…control of the facility is being moved over to the city – though Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC Pemmy Majodina said yesterday that her department would keep control of its museum.

The idea is that the city will revitalise Bayworld as part of its plan to develop tourism real estate for Nelson Mandela Bay, making the city attractive and competitive.

Funding for the plan, however, is still under discussion, according to Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) spokesman, Luvuyo Bangazi.

“The nature of the revamp … is yet to be fully explored in consultation with the municipality.”

Ah yes, that small matter of finding the necessary funding.

Hang in there PE, hopefully you can restore Bayworld to its former glory – although us Capetonians prefer watching dolphins in their natural environment,

[source:timeslive]

[imagesource:here]