THE eThekwini Municipality recently announced that the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium is currently being refurbished as part of the stadium’s routine maintenance programme to ensure that the facility remains world-class and maintains its reputation as one of South Africa’s grandest sporting facilities. The report detailing the Moses Mabhida Stadium’s rehabilitation programme for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years was presented during the Community Services Committee meeting on Monday, April 22.

Last week, the stadium hosted the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup, and there were over 50 000 spectators in attendance. “In the previous financial year, the facility generated R53.2 million in revenue, hosting 152 events,” said the City.

According to the municipality, the 15-year-old facility, which was built ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, requires a constant maintenance plan. “This plan ensures that the structure is safe for residents and visitors, is operational and is aligned with evolving technological needs for efficient and profitable commercial operations.”

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Head of eThekwini Stadia Dr Vusi Mazibuko explained that an asset of this size and design requires major upgrades and rehabilitation to ensure that it not only remains relevant and attractive but also remains compliant. The facility, said Mazibuko, must also be able to effectively respond to the unit’s socio-economic mandate, promote social cohesion and generate revenue.

The refurbishment, which began in the 2023/24 financial year, following a thorough conditional assessment, is an exercise that will see the City spending R390 million over a three-year period. The budget includes other repair works such as upgrading the turnstile and the kitchen upgrade with related equipment.

“The revamp follows an extensive assessment of the facility, and we have identified urgent rehabilitation that needs to occur. This includes the rehabilitation of the concrete, the steel roof and the architectural façade. The facelift also includes the stadium’s roof structure and viewing platform upgrade – to accommodate the new Sky Car to be commissioned within the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period as well as treating identified corrosion and subsequent paintwork,” said Mazibuko.

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Mazibuko added that the work would include taking care of critical infrastructure maintenance and upgrade activities, such as the repairing of floodlights and the audio system to enable compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, and the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act of 2010.

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