Cape theme park celebrates its 15th anniversary

RATANGA JUNCTION SPOKESPERSON RATANGA Junction, which is open daily for the school holidays until January 14, weather permitting, celebrates its 15th anniversary this month.

The only day it is scheduled to be closed over this period is Christmas Day.

Ratanga has recently relocated two of its prized attractions – the Slingshot “Human Catapult” Thrill ride and a World War II Dakota aircraft – within the park.

The Dakota, which has been renamed Ihlati Sky meaning Jungle Sky, was moved into its new position on top of Black Mountain near the entrance to Ratanga this week while the Slingshot has been re- erected nearby. A certified ride inspector from the ride manufacturers in Utah in the United States is here to inspect the installation and the SlingShot is expected to be operational shortly.

Both the SlingShot and the Dakota were repainted before being moved to their final resting places. Bill Taylor, general manager of Ratanga Junction, said the relocations will make way for an exciting new hospitality offering for the Western Cape, details of which will be announced in the New Year.

The Slingshot is a high adrenaline ride combining elements of bungy jumping and skydiving with flyers hoisted 10 storeys into the air and launched in to a 30metre free fall at 80-90kph towards the ground before swinging upwards to an 180 degree arc. It has been relocated to a site near the park’s main entrance and has been repainted a bright yellow and blue. The 1943 Douglas Dakota Mark 3 has a unique history. It was used as a “glider tug” with the 512 RAF squadron in operation “coup de Main” during the first stages of the Normandy D-Day landings in June 1944 as well as Arnhem and the Rhine Crossing.Taylor said the Dakota will be refurbished and will form part of the new Bridgeways function portfolio. It will be well lit and is set to become a landmark for Ratanga within Century City.

Going forward, he said, they planned to have the Slingshot operational for much of the year, even when the rest of the amusement park was in hibernation outside of the school holidays.

“Its capacity is limited to 350 riders a day, making it available to guests outside of the park’s seasonal operating schedule will relieve pent up demand. It will also be available for corporate functions and team building.”

Recent attractions include a Lego Land play area and a revamped Midway Games while making its debut this season is a new Fives Futbol court where for no additional charge you can test your kicking strength with a special device that measures the speed the ball travels into the net.