Santarama Miniland and Kidz Kazoo

 

I would like to express my disappointment and disgust experienced at Santarama Miniland on August 21 2011.
Mr Pillay announced on April 8 that renovations are taking place etc. But I tend to disagree.

The first negative experience was at the reception, where the person did not even greet us back after we greeted a friendly "hello!". Never mind not greeting back, he did not even respond, just sitting back and watching us. We asked if we could enter, seeing that he doesn't speak to us, he said "no, you have to pay first". Well, uhm...of course Mr Doorman.
Not a single little thing inside the park seems to be in a good condition.
I'll give a couple of examples:
In the good old days, a lot of the little buildings of scenes, would have electronic buttons, performing somewhat of an animated scenery when the button is pushed (example, little theme park rides going round and round), needless to say, it didn't work. The buttons didn't even look like buttons anymore, after takings years of hammering due to certain elements (sun, rain, etc)
We went on the mini train, but halfway during the ride, right before a bridge crossing an empty river, the train derailed and crashed into a grass bank. A beautiful little waterfall used to run into a cute little man-created lake, attached to a little river running through the park, but the waterfall and the lake were completely dry, and it looked like someone even made a fire inside it, with ashes and remaining wood lay inside this previously adorable little lake. Some om the buildings even had there names written on in coki pen, with a skew, retarded 6 year old looking handwriting. The "Kroonstad Hospitaal" even had a spelling mistake on the building, that appears to have been corrected by scratching over the wrong letter, and rewriting at the side. The "renovations" appear to have happened on one or two little buildings. But in contrary to the old buildings, where they would have little windows for example, the "renovated" buildings had painted windows, once again, literally looking like it's been done by a two year old!

The entrance, as well as the kids play park, smells like urine. Worse than any primary school bathroom that I've smelled before.
We even saw a dead bird (some big kind of bird) lying right in the park. Obviously no workers will notice it, as they probably never even walk around in the park.
After a short stroll, we decided to leave, but had to use the bathroom first. Needles to say, there were no soap, and the hand dryer didn't work. Not that I'm surprised. I wanted to buy a cold drink before I left. But there weren't even an attendant in the shop. After standing around for quite a while, someone eventually strolled in to sell me one of the 10 soft drinks in the whole shop.

Really disappointing. I makes me feel sad, looking at videos we recorded of good times we had at Santarama 6 years ago, and knowing what it has become.

Mr Pillay, I fear to see what your house looks like!

In 2010 Santarama was run by a complete fool who was using the place as his own garage and couldn't give two hoots about the condition of the property . According to my sources a Dr from durban has now taken over the place and yes a Mr Pillay is now the property manager . The change in management happened in Feb I believe. So far there has been change and I believe that we will see major improvement in the months to come . Lets give the new owners a chance , It cannot be easy taking over a mess that the previous management left behind . I believe there are days with live bands as well . Bring it on Mr Pillay and co . i believe that you will restore Miniland to its former glory . All the best

I was the biggest critic of Santarama after visiting twice during 2010 . I recently met with Mr B Pillay who is the new property manager of Santarama and he addressed all the issues I had with the place . A pleasant and professional gentlemen who is exactly what Santarama needed . His vision for Santarama is in line with exactly what we all want for the historic place . Thank you Mr Pillay for your honesty and your time.

The Website had been updated on the day that I spoke to you, the price change as well as the fact that Miniland is under new management and ongoing repairs / maintenance. Santarama Miniland is actually owned and operated by the South African National Tuberculous Association.
The place is under new management and ongoing maintenance / upgrade, we apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time of upgrading and assure our client’s that Santarama Miniland’s management team are doing everything in their power to restore Santarama to originality as quick as possible so as to eliminate any future disappointments.

Regards
Mr Pillay
Property & Asset Manager

a BIG disappointment at MINITOWN

On Saturday 26 March 2011 the Boys’ Brigade, the oldest uniformed youth organisation, visited the SANTARAMA Miniland and was hugely disappointed.

After unsuccessfully trying to call Miniland, we checked the pricing on the internet. The cost as per the Official Website was R20 per child and R25 per adult. As the Boys’ Brigade operates in mostly under privilege areas, we had to raise funds to assist some of the children. For those who could afford the fee, a consent letter was issued with a copy of the prices as per the website.

We arrived at Miniland with 22 children and 6 adults. At the door we were told that the price is now R30 per child, irrespective of age and R35 per adult.

When we queried the pricing, we were told that the park is under new management. The new owner is a doctor from Durban and Miniland has absolutely no ties with the South African National Tuberculoses Association (SANTA) after which the park was named. We were told that because of the price change no new prices were posted outside. In fact, no new pricing was posted anywhere. They also confirmed not having advertised that the park is under new management.

We asked why the prices were not changed on the Official Website and they had no clue that it existed. They were adamant about their prices and we ended up paying R30 per adult and child.

On the website it was also indicated that the price include a free ride on the train and ferry boat.

Although the train was operational the ferry was totally out of commission. The general state of the park was not what it was when I had visited as a child.

The miniatures are all neglected and in dire need of repair. None of the interactive models were operational as I had remembered them to be in the past. Jan Smuts Airport looks like something out of a third world country and totally dilapidated.

I see now that the pricing has been changed on the Website and no longer mention the ferry boat.

I certainly would not recommend anyone visit Miniland as to us it was a huge disappointment.

What a disappointment. As children we went to mini land and it was the highlight of our holiday. Yesterday I took my niece there and it was such a disappointment. The place was dirty and wet. All the displays are all broken and falling apart. What a waste of money – they could really make this the place to be, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, EVER. For R35 per person (which costs more than the Monet Casino Bird Garden – which is lovely by the way), it’s a complete rip off and waste of time.

As child miniland was like a dream, but went on the 1st of December 2010 and was dissapointed from what i can remember. I would like to see it back to the way it was and if the owner needs help i am sure there is a lot of people that will help. The staff were great and the place was clean. The owner lives in the Cape somewhere but seems to have no interest in the place. Maybe we should help. You as the owner: if you are reading this please supply at least your shop with food and money so that you can at least make some money for the rest of minitown. Guys we realy need to give minitown a facelift for the generations to come.

BOO-HOO to all the negative parents out there who visited Santarama and feel its not up to standard!! Its people like you who sit on the site line and watch everything around you go to dust - stop complaining and help these people!! Me and my family was there on saturday - and despite a bit of paint needed here and there - it was lovely!! Great to see that the history of RSA is not lost. I will definitely go again. Dont base your opinion of what you read here - go and see for yourself!! My daughters birthday party will definitely be held there next year-that is if these negative people have'nt destroyed Santarama with their bad comments!! Keep your thoughts to yourself!! Thank you Santarama for a lovely day!!

It would be very nice to see miniand to what it was! In the meanwhile, they need all the help we can give Despite being forgoten and left behind, The place is still enchanting! The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful! The organisation that I work with and I are willing to work with Miniland in order to get it back to what it was and remind people that it is still there, regardless!

Please contact me!

I was so disappointed. Miniland was a great place, until 2008. Tt was clear that there has been no maintenance, not even cleaning. Theres a boat of some sort, i would imagine that it's a historic boat, that we can go and have a look inside, but it was so dangerous to even climb in there. The mini train for kids fell off its tracks, while there were people in it! Please fix that place up! it has a lot of potential, but its not used :-(

I was there this past Sunday looking forward to spend a wonderfull outing but i was shocked at the state the place was in. This place needs a lot of work and repair. If it was not for the friendly train driver, i would have rated the place a 1 out of 10.

I was there on sunday, and took my boyfriend from sweden there, i thought the place was a dump, compared to what i saw from the past, i think it should be restored, everything is falling apart, it is actually a beautiful place....just needs work...!

I was thinking of going on the 3 July 2010, I also have fond memories of Miniland and don't want to go and disappoint my kids.

I am now working with Miniland to get the place restored I would like the input from the community. If you have suggestions or can lend a hand please let me know. We are planning a lot of new and exciting things. Please watch this space and contact me if you have ideas for fun days and so on. My email is jbrum@netactive.co.za

I went to Miniland on 2 May 2010. Although the models are in disrepair the gardens were well maintained and free of litter. The staff were also very friendly. The train was working and the driver was more than happy to take us round and round.
Instead of criticizing maybe people should look at how to get corporates back in to sponsor some of the models. It could be a great place of learning for the kids especially if more models were added to incorporate the history of south Africa. It is a pity the government does not see this and be the first to lend its support to repair the model of the union buildings and maybe encourage other corporates to assist. Maybe students or unemployed designers could help with the building and designing of new models. It was great to be in the outdoors and fresh air as it was so peaceful and my daughter just loved being outside.

I have just reviewed some of the comments made by visitors to Miniland in the South of Johannesburg. It is a few years since I myself have been there and while it was in a state of disrepair, I feel the need to point out to all the critics that the miniland of our childhood had corporate sponsors who have since withdrawn their sponsorship. The miniland we remember could never be maintained on donations from the public and was totally reliant on corporate sponsorship. Perhaps we should not be so quick to criticise without knowing the facts.

We popped in today with our 15month old daughter and were shocked and disappointed at the state of disrepair of everything. Mini train didn't seem in working order, the boardwalk into the Dromedaris rotten through and definitely NOT safe to walk across. Paths overgrown with grass and weeds. And the children's playroom looked pretty grim - made my skin crawl. What on earth will excited tourists think when met with this sight? There's even a tourist bus stop sign outside but the place is an EMBARRASSMENT for a city as large as JHB!

We went to miniland on Saturday and it was the most boring experience ever. Everything is so dull and ruine. Best of all they didn't even brther to mention that the engine was not working so there were no rides, the service was SO poor it was unbelievable,we stayed there for 15 minutes and even that was too long it was terrible :-(and a waste of money!

My family and I went to Minitown on 3 October 2009 as we've got two young kids and I couldn't wait to go as I hadn't been there since I was about 10 and had good memories of it. What a disappointment. Nothing had been maintained, half the signs to the models were missing and there were no miniture trains going around the tracks or water on the waterfalls. We won't be going back in a hurry!!

This trip was a great dissapointment to my kids. I will NOT recomend the mini park to any one. Yes 10 years ago the place was funded, but where does all the money go at this stage? someone needs to do something regarding this problem. The park could generate lots more money then now. Lift your game, the relevant person doing maintenance is letting Joburg down!!!!!!!!!
If it looks like this in 2009, how is it going to look in 2019?

I am very dissapointed to hear about the state of Miniland. I was a cadet at the bases across from miniland and I always tell friends and family that we should go past there. I cannot believe that anyone would bad mouth a place if it is not in a bad condition. Please managment let us uplift this place to what it used to be. There are wonderful models there and lets keep the TB funds coming in. Icall upon the community to assist with refurbishing the place.

One of my reps at work told me about minitown. We hooked up with some family members who got a little daugter and we decided to go to minitown, we went on 2 January 2009. I was so excited going to this place, but let me tell you, what a dissapointment.

The grass was so long that you could barely see the Mini models behind it. There was no water in the "waterfalls". The bathroom were disgusting, so bad that you actually didn't even want to use it. There were almost no snacks in the shop (Ice Cream etc.) to eat in the hot weather. The steps on the boat is very unsafe, I can't believe that people will expect elderly people who takes their grandchildren there to walk on such unsafe surfaces.

I saw the big sign at the entrance that says that all profits go to the SANTA Orginisation for TB, and I can appreciate that. I just personally think that a place that is trying to raise money for a good cause should really up their game. That place has got so much potential, but they are letting it go.

I take my kids to Santarama all the time. The boat ride is great and the kids love the minitown. We have even had a kiddies birthday party there. It might be rundown but it's still fun.

I took my extended family here on 1May 2008.I am amazed that polluted and noisy Johannesburg still has such beauty and serenity.The boat ride,train ride,basketball,indoor play area kep the kids going for hours - not forgetting the mini golf!!! There was no stress of long queues or loud blaring music.I found it a peaceful and natural environment.I'm proud that SA has such a place. (the 'mini town" models are beautiful!)


(PLEASE DON"T PUT UP MY NAME ON THE INTERNET)

took my entire family to santarama for the first time in about 10 years and was sorely dissapointed at the state of the place. the staff however are pleasant and eager to please but the jumping castle was full of water and unable to use, the dromedaris was a waste of time and energy, the waste of money used to make a statue of michael jackson who is known for his shananigans with children is the last person who should be there. the money should have been utilised to update and upgrade the town itself which is nothing but boring..the shortage of water in howick falls and dam was horrifically obvious...all in all if it had not been for the company...the afternoon would have been wasted...a real sad state of affairs

My kids and I went to to Santarama mini land on Saturday 9th February and we had a marvelous time! Yes, it is run down, this is due to lack of funds. Go, not to the place you remember as a child, but with the eyes of a child! And take all the kids you can!

Miniland of today a sore disappointment in comparison to when we were kids. Took our girls 10 Nov 2007. Was run down and in a state of disrepair. Very disappointing.

The miniature town models fascinated my kids and they had lots of fun on the boat, little train and mini bikes. Very secure, lots of fun for children