eThekwini Bids For Next Cup Final After MTN8
eThekwini Executive Director of Community Services Vusi Mazibuko says the city has raised its hand to host another domestic cup final following next Saturday’s MTN8 showpiece.
The iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium will host its 11th MTN8 final when Orlando Pirates lock horns with Mamelodi Sundowns in a sold-out clash next weekend.
Mazibuko explained that Durban routinely secures major events because municipal officials put their best foot forward to impress key stakeholders.
With the MTN8 concluding, the Nedbank Cup and the Carling Knockout remain the only major domestic knockout competitions this season. The Carling Knockout kicks off next month, while the Nedbank Cup is scheduled for early next year.
“When we prepare for any event, we don’t just prepare for it to happen; we prepare for it to return,” said Mazibuko.
“We understand the value of hosting successful events. If you fail to deliver a seamless final, you effectively rule yourself out of hosting the next one. But if you execute it successfully, you reap the rewards.
“We have already submitted our bid to host the next available final. Moses Mabhida Stadium is renowned for delivering top-tier events because we get the fundamentals right.
“One distinct advantage we have—which others may not—is that our hospitality operations are managed 100% in-house from start to finish.
“The catering in all the suites is prepared directly inside the stadium rather than outsourced. This serves as a vital revenue stream for both the city and the stadium. That operational capacity sits right here, extending to the public concourses, food stalls, and beverage kiosks.
“All these factors contribute to the stadium’s overall capacity and event readiness.”
Meanwhile, Sportswire understands that German structural engineers tasked with assessing the stadium’s ongoing refurbishment raised serious concerns regarding the condition of the roof during a feedback presentation to the city.
More than R200 million has been allocated toward the major overhaul of the venue, with completion expected next year.
To be specificic, the eThekwini Municipality approved R236 million in October 2024 to rehabilitate the 17-year-old Moses Mabhida Stadium, aiming to transform it into a premier tourist destination.
