DELIVERING an address to mark his 100 days in office, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba outlined the City’s plans to upgrade the Moses Mabhida Stadium. He said the council approved R236 million to rehabilitate the stadium which has been in existence for 15 years.
With scaffolding erected around parts of the building, he said, “We want to assure all our stakeholders that the venue is structurally sound, and it will continue to host major events while the repairs are ongoing. This has been approved and certified by engineers,” Xaba said.
He said the refurbishments form part of the stadium’s routine maintenance programme to ensure that the facility remains world-class and continues to attract major sporting events and gatherings. “After so many years in operation, an asset of this size and design requires major upgrades and rehabilitation to ensure that it does not only remain relevant and attractive, but also compliant.
“Apart from several Premier Soccer League matches, this year alone, the stadium has hosted the Nedbank Cup Quarter Final and recently, the MTN 8 Cup final which was attended by over 60,000 fans.
“Because of its modern design and multi-purpose nature, the stadium has become one of the key tourist attractions in the city – helping us to create jobs and generate much-needed revenue for the city,” he said
He said this is the reason that as part of the refurbishment, the city will be introducing the following new features to make the stadium a premier tourist destination:
- New Viewing Platform with 60% increase in floor area, cantilevered glass floor for “Air Walk” experience
- New Sky Car with increased travel time and accessible to people with disabilities
- New Big Swing with improved access to launch platform
- New Zip Line which ends at the People’s Park for after-adventure refreshments
- Compression Ring Walk which provides panoramic views with a sea-facing bungee jump option
“We have no doubt that these upgrades will not only guarantee the commercial viability of the stadium, but they will also improve the safety of residents and visitors. This is in line with our vision of building resilient infrastructure that is aligned with evolving technological advancements,” Said Xaba.
