The most exciting construction event to hit Durban since the establishment of uShaka Marine World in 2003, the Moses Mabhida Stadium is set to be the most visually striking of the nine stadiums that are currently being built ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Furthering the urban regeneration plans that have been underway in the area for the past six years, the R 2.6 billion structure is expected to be one of the biggest crowd-pullers in the country next year.

In February the city celebrated the completion of the signature Y-shaped arch that stretches over the stadium, with a festival of lights. The 106 m high arch will support the stadium’s roof when the venue reaches its final completion on 30 October 2009: this element together with the roof that is yet to be built is setting government back R 448 million.

Distinguishing this stadium from the rest is the fact that spectators will be able to take a cable-car up to the top of the arch, or climb hundreds of steps up to the pinnacle, which will give them a bird’s eye view of the sporting action as well as the Indian Ocean just a few kilometers behind the stadium. After the completion of the arch, work continued on the stadium’s external structure with particular focus on the cable net installation, which would be followed by securing the covering membrane.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium, named after a well-known Apartheid hero born in KwaZulu Natal who was one of the founding members of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) and a commander in the MK, is now well over the 60% completion mark.

Key features of this multi-purpose sporting facility include a parking area that can accommodate 10 000 cars, a three-tiered structure, and comfortable internal suites and public areas. The venue will eventually form part of Durban’s Kings Park sporting precinct which will be equipped to host a variety of sporting disciplines including rugby, athletics, golf and swimming, and will also be ideal for hosting recreational and cultural events.

The economic benefits of this construction project will be echoed for years after the World Cup 2010 has come and gone. The multitude of major sporting and other events that Durban plans to host in the years to come will do doubt attract investment and increase employment opportunities in terms of the city’s economic development strategy.