A Lasting Legacy
The government of KwaZulu-Natal wants to ensure that the 2010 FIFA World Cup leaves a lasting legacy for the people of the province. To this end, the province, like all others in South Africa embarked on a series of activities to ensure that optimal benefit is derived from the hosting of the tournament.
Durban, as host city, spent more than R5-billion on projects related to the World Cup 2010, and it is confident that its investment will reap generous rewards in the short, medium and long term. The goal is to create a more internationally friendly travel destination for tourism as well as a more livable city for residents. Benefits include investment in infrastructure, such as in sea port expansion to allow efficient handling of larger volumes of containers, building roads, the new King Shaka International Airport and Dube TradePort, the refurbishment of sporting facilities; and the building of the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium which compares to very few stadiums in the world.
Moses Mabhida Stadium
The stadium is a world-class, state-of-the-art, multifunctional arena located in the heart of the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban. The entire area features additional sporting arenas and facilities as well as restaurants, shops, children’s play areas and a pedestrian walkway linking the stadium complex to the beach. Currently seating 70 000, the stadium’s legacy mode will have permanent 54 000 seats and the potential to expand to 85 000 seats to meet the requirements of large-scale events such as the Olympic Games.
The Moses Mabhida Stadium takes its design inspiration from the South African flag, with its grand arch representing the unity of a sport-loving nation. The two legs of the arch on the southern side of the stadium, come together to form a single footing on the northern side, symbolizing the uniting of a once-divided nation.
A cable car ascends to a viewing platform at the top of the expansive 350m arch, a staggering 106m above the pitch. From this vantage point, visitors can experience spectacular panoramic views over the ocean and the city.
A Green City
Through Durban’s commitment to hosting a carbon-neutral 2010 FIFA World Cup event, a set of greening principles, approaches and strategies have been integrated into the various infrastructural projects that have being undertaken. These green principles will ensure that the Moses Mabhida Stadium and its surrounds are sustainable, and leave a positive legacy. More than 62 500 trees were planted in the first phase as part of the efforts to stage a climate-friendly World Cup. The city teamed up with the Wildlands Conservation Trust to green the area near the Buffelsdraai landfill site in Verulam, the city’s biggest rubbish dump. Durban has also invested in developing its’ “People Mover” public transport system servicing the central city. This will provide visitors to Durban with an efficient and more climate-friendly way of traversing the city for events and sightseeing.
Information and Communication Technology
A range of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects have been implemented. These provide high-speed broadband infrastructure, in respect of internet connectivity for the Moses Mabhida Stadium and other specified locations. The ICT project also presented the city with an opportunity to establish an international internet access link (with connectivity along KZN’s south and north coasts), via the EASSY submarine cable system link, in Mtunzini.
Skills Training
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has viewed 2010 as a catalyst for communities to be mobilized to participate in their own development.
In preparation for the 2010 fuelled construction boom, the provincial government invested R1.8-billion in a skills-training project targeting the construction industry. Approximately 350 000 students have received training at the province’s further education and training colleges.
The province’s Education Department allocated R21-million to train youths in all areas related to 2010. A total of 4 710 students underwent training in travel and tourism; foreign language services; hospitality services; infrastructure development; manufacturing and engineering services; quality assurance; information and communication technology; clothing and textile production; and pollution and environmental management.
