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Miss World contestants visit the completed Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban. Photo: Sandile Ndlovu, The Mercury
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It's ready. Photo: Daily News
It's done! It's beautiful!
November 25 2009 at 07:09AM
By Colleen Dardagan
It's ready. After 32 months, more than 200 000 tons of concrete and 10 000 tons of steel, Durban's R3,1-billion Moses Mabhida Stadium is complete and ready to host the thousands of fans expected to descend on the city for the world football showpiece next year.
From its foundations, more than 45m underground, to the highest point of the 108m arch, which soars above a pitch planted with locally grown grass imported from the US, nothing has been overlooked to make sure Durban has one of the "best football venues in the world".
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And seats for the opening match on Sunday between AmaZulu and Maritzburg United are sold out. The next event will be a PSL match between Maritzburg United and Kaizer Chiefs on December 6.
Yesterday, the head of strategic projects at the eThekwini Municipality, Julie-May Ellingson, told the media, who were given their first glimpse of the furnished interiors, that time and money had been the greatest challenges in meeting Fifa's construction deadlines.
"Every single hour mattered," she said.
Tim Ter Haar, the lead consultant on the project from the Ibola Lethu Consortium - the company tasked with operating the stadium for the first year - said the company had promised to build an icon for the city. "We have succeeded with that. It's simply beautiful," he said.
Ter Haar said more than 50 percent of the 128, R150 000-a-year corporate suites had already been sold. "That's where most of the stadium's income will come from," he said.
- This article was originally published on page 1 of The Mercury on November 25, 2009
Showing page 1 of 2 comment pages, 13 total comments
10 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
I agree, you're too far from the action with the 'grassed ring' surrounding the soccer pitch. I felt detached. A super venue... for the Olympics!
10 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
Being born in South Africa and living in Italy, I am very proud of the MM Stadium and the lot of work been done to acheve to be one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world. Bravi
10 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
How is the stadium going to make money?
Although the Durban Stadium can accommodate more than 50,000 fans, only 22,000 tickets were made available for the clash.
Usuthu PRO, Philani Mabaso, told KickOff.com it is the biggest crowd they have had, at least in the last three seasons.
“It is exciting. I mean selling out the tickets five days before the game. We took a decision to put out only 22,000 tickets because it is the first game there, which means we have to look at the issue of safety and making sure we do it right the first time,” Mabaso said.
“Even when we have played Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, we have never had such a big crowd at home. The highest we got against Pirates in the last three seasons was 11,000 and Chiefs it was 15,000,” he continued.
“The only time we sold out was when we played our first game in Ulundi Stadium last season against Free State Stars, which only takes 8,000, and they only had 300 to our 7,700, so it shows that people in this province love football. Being a part of the first ever game at Moses Mabhida motivates them too,” Mabaso said.
“It is so exciting that even our game against Platinum Stars today at Chatsworth has been forgotten,” he added.
Although the Durban Stadium can accommodate more than 50,000 fans, only 22,000 tickets were made available for the clash.
Usuthu PRO, Philani Mabaso, told KickOff.com it is the biggest crowd they have had, at least in the last three seasons.
“It is exciting. I mean selling out the tickets five days before the game. We took a decision to put out only 22,000 tickets because it is the first game there, which means we have to look at the issue of safety and making sure we do it right the first time,” Mabaso said.
“Even when we have played Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, we have never had such a big crowd at home. The highest we got against Pirates in the last three seasons was 11,000 and Chiefs it was 15,000,” he continued.
“The only time we sold out was when we played our first game in Ulundi Stadium last season against Free State Stars, which only takes 8,000, and they only had 300 to our 7,700, so it shows that people in this province love football. Being a part of the first ever game at Moses Mabhida motivates them too,” Mabaso said.
“It is so exciting that even our game against Platinum Stars today at Chatsworth has been forgotten,” he added.
10 Weeks ago Des wrote :
" pitch planted with locally grown grass imported from the US" huh, someone is smoking grass!!!!!
10 Weeks ago TheOtherKaren wrote :
Yes it is beautiful, a really gorgeous WHITE ELEPHANT !
10 Weeks ago Gavin wrote :
@Smaoking grass - maybe you should stop? The grass is imported as seed or seedling and then grown locally - where's the problem? Your problem is you look for the negative in everything. I am proud to live in Durban with this great stadium with our local grass! Rugby will move there when they wake up. At ABSA stadium at the top you are miles from the action and still people go for the atmosphere. I believe it will be even better at MM. Come on South Africans, lets all enjoy what we have!
10 Weeks ago Sheldon wrote :
The most beautiful Stadium in South Africa. I don't care what anyone says, MM is amazing. I went on a tour of her this weekend and it's breathtaking. The structure itself, the lighting effects and shows on the magnificent arch, every piece of art in and around the stadium is truly amazing.
I am proud to be South African and proud to be from Durban. MM Stadium will do us proud in the future.
P.S. Can't wait to try the Skycar and Adventure Walk out on December 9th :P
I am proud to be South African and proud to be from Durban. MM Stadium will do us proud in the future.
P.S. Can't wait to try the Skycar and Adventure Walk out on December 9th :P
10 Weeks ago Boozab wrote :
Hey what about that Bull Sacraficing ceremony we can have it there as well, now that will really get some liberals really worked up ..!! ..nice Stadium thou ..
psst: who's Moses Mabhida ?
psst: who's Moses Mabhida ?
10 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
the article says suites are 150000 per year, then Vivien Reddy said they are half a million EACH... so which is it?
Stadium looks awesome, well done to all involved!
Stadium looks awesome, well done to all involved!
10 Weeks ago peter wrote :
Why stage a local soccer match before the SWC? A very expensive exercise. The seats will be ripped up and will have to be replaced and broken glass will be strewn all over the "local imported grass (sic)" Oy vey !
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