The Little Top was a popular entertainment venue on Durban’s South Beach that was demolished in 2006. It was replaced during beachfront upgrades in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Here is what is known about the former landmark:
- Structure: It was a large, “beachball”-shaped pavilion made of reinforced fiberglass sections fitted over a steel frame. It was erected around 1970 and later had its distinctive colored sections changed. Before this, a large tent served the same purpose.
- Location: The pavilion was situated on the beach next to the Mermaid Lido, with its exact position visible in relation to Addington Hospital.
- Purpose: The venue served as a mini-stage for entertainment, especially for children and families. It was a well-loved part of the beachfront culture in the 1960s and 70s, with people recalling ice cream-eating and talent competitions held there.
- Legacy: The Little Top is remembered fondly by many longtime residents of Durban as an iconic part of their childhood holidays.
