By Duncan Mackay
November 28 – The first official match to be staged at Durban’s new R3.1 billion (£254 million) World Cup venue, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, a South African Premier League match between AmaZulu and Maritzburg United tomorrow, has sold out.
The arena is one of nine venues in South Africa which will host World Cup games next year and will be put to the test this weekend.
One of the more unusual features of the venue – is a cable car that travels across the centre arch – offering views of the city.
The new stadium will seat 70,000 spectators when it is in World Cup mode – but only 22,000 tickets were made available for this first trial match,
Durban’s Mayor, Obed Mlaba, is expected to open proceedings at the picturesque venue shortly before kick-off.
The stadium, which took 32 months to build, has created 26,000 jobs and changed the look and feel of the city.
eThekwini’s 2010 World Cup programme head Julie-May Ellingson said they are looking forward to showing off the iconic stadium and its systems.
She said: ”This world-class engineering and architectural feat is a true example of what can be achieved by team work, the sharing of skills and the collaboration between public and private enterprise.
“There is no doubt that each and every person who has worked on this project can stand proud and know that they have made their mark in history. “
The stadium is scheduled to host the five group matches during the World Cup, one second round match, one quarter final and a semi-final match.
The stadium, which will revert to a capacity of 56,000 after the World Cup, features a sky car able to carry 25 people at a time to its highest point, an adventure walk up 550 steps to the southern side of the 106-metre arch, a bungee swing across the pitch, and 24 shops which will attract visitors on non-match days.
This, Ellingson claimed, will further help maintain the Moses Mabhida Stadium’s financial sustainability.
She said: ”But because this is a stadium for the people, we have structured the cost of enjoying these features accordingly, ensuring they are sustainable but affordable.
“eThekwini residents will receive discount vouchers with their rates bill.”
Named after a hero of the working class, Moses Mabhida, who was the leader of the South African Communist Party from 1978 until his death in 1985, this new stadium is located alongside the Kings Park Stadium, also known as the ABSA Stadium, in Durban, in KwaZulu Natal.
Mlaba said this was a great moment for the City.
He said: ”It is a moment that fills me with a pride I know is shared by all the people of Durban.
“Because this is a stadium for the people, just as Baba Moses was a man for – and of – the people.
“The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the spur, but one of our main priorities was to build a multi-functional venue that would be the envy of other cities and benefit the people of Durban for years to come.”
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