Moses Mabhida Boosts eThekwini Economy With Nearly R1 Billion
The eThekwini municipality has announced that its venues, particularly the Moses Mabhida Stadium, continue to be a significant draw for major events, contributing close to R1 billion to the city’s economy in the past two months alone.
A prime example of this economic impact is the Nedbank Cup final held on 10 May, featuring Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. This single event generated over R100 million, with R17 million directly contributing to tax revenue. Following this, the Comrades Marathon last month brought in over R600 million for the city.
The municipality released a statement emphasizing the stadium’s importance to eThekwini’s finances, even as it undergoes refurbishment. They highlighted its diverse offerings beyond sports. “The Moses Mabhida Stadium, meanwhile, is a state-of-the-art landmark boasting sports and entertainment facilities with excellent amenities that offer a diverse product range, such as attractions, retail shops, hospitality, conferencing, and a public park,” the municipality stated.
They added, “The stadium adds significant value to the tourism strategic impetus that attracts local and international markets, serving as a catalyst to the local economy as well as enhancing the cultural and tourism experience. The stadium continues to attract major events, having recently hosted the Nedbank Cup Final and the Comrades Marathon among others.” Upcoming events in July include the “Fact Durban Rocks” event and a “One Man Show” by gospel star Ayanda Ntanzi.
The municipality’s Stadia and Facilities Directorate is focused on making all its venues the preferred choice for sporting and lifestyle events, while also building strong community and stakeholder relationships.
Wider Impact Across eThekwini’s Stadiums
The City’s Stadia and Facilities Directorate also maintains other world-class facilities, serving the sporting community, event organizers, tourists, and residents. These stadiums have been consistently busy and are expected to remain so, with football returning later this year.
Notably, Chatsworth Stadium is set to host high-profile football matches next season following Durban City’s promotion to the Betway Premiership. This means the stadium will welcome major teams like Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Stadia and Facilities Directorate oversees the Moses Mabhida Stadium and five community stadiums: Mpumalanga Stadium, Princess Magogo Stadium, King Zwelithini Stadium, Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, and Chatsworth Stadium.
During a recent presentation to the Community Services Committee, the Directorate reported significant activity in May:
- King Zwelithini Stadium booked 15 different activities.
- Chatsworth Stadium hosted 19 activities.
- Moses Mabhida Stadium had five events.
- Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium saw seven events.
- Princess Magogo Stadium held three activities.
- Mpumalanga Stadium hosted two activities.
These community-based stadiums serve areas across greater eThekwini with various sports and entertainment, including football matches, concerts, festivals, church services, political rallies, athletics, and community events. They play a vital role in fostering a vibrant and creative city, which forms the foundation for sustainability and social cohesion.
