Durban - If the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games was to be held tomorrow, the city of Durban would rake in a whopping R1 billion, based on conservative estimates.
So confident was the city about hosting the sports spectacle that it had already launched a strategy to ensure more than 20 000 beds would be available for visitors. By the time the Games begin, a further 2 000 guests would be accommodated.
President Jacob Zuma was quick to congratulate Durban’s successful bid after the announcement in Auckland earlier this week.
Unlike the World Cup, for which the city had to build Moses Mabhida Stadium from scratch, experts said much of Durban’s infrastructure only needed minor tweaking.
While the city had seven years before athletes would break into a sweat at its sports venues, tourism and hospitality bosses said they would use the wait to their advantage to market Durban extensively.
However, some of the major opposition parties were divided over the benefits to Durban, with the DA describing the announcement as a “day of mourning” because “our country’s economy is unstable and we cannot afford to host an event of this magnitude”.
But KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu said detractors were entitled to their opinions. “We are pleading in a humble way for people to rally behind eThekwini.
“Before the World Cup, people had differing views, but when it kicked off we were all happy. I know the same will happen with the Commonwealth Games. At the end we will agree it was worth it.”
Zuma’s spokesman, Bongani Majola, said: “We know the value of these games and we would like to assure Durban we’re fully behind them. The positive economic spin-offs will include an increase in tourism and infrastructure development, which will create job opportunities.”
A mood of jubilation was in the air when Durban Mayor James Nxumalo arrived at King Shaka Airport from Auckland on Friday. He was met by a throng of well-wishers who broke into a rendition of Shosholoza.
Nxumalo said: “We are given an opportunity to host another international event, after successfully hosting the 2010 World Cup. The work begins now. We have to do our preparations. Let’s all work together preparing for these games.”
Athletics coach and administrator Norrie Williamson, who has been to six Commonwealth Games, said he had yet to see a host city with as little infrastructure work to do before the Games.
undefined“I am very excited about the Games coming to Durban. Realistically, they had to come to Africa and there are few other cities in the commonwealth that can host them.”
He said Joburg had altitude issues, Cape Town might lack political support and few African countries had the stability and infrastructure to host games of this magnitude.
Errol Stewart, former Sharks player and Proteas cricketer, and now Standard Bank’s wealth and investment head, believed the city bosses must have done their sums before submitting the bid.
The banker said enhancements, alterations and upgrades were a given, but it made a massive difference that Durban didn’t have to start from scratch. He said facilities would be used once the Games had come and gone. “There are no white elephants here.
“Consider also the economic activity needed to enhance facilities, resulting in job creation both at a temporary and permanent level.
“Cornubia, which will be the athletes’ village, will revert to a housing development afterwards.
“And the cherry on the top is the incalculable marketing value that will be generated through Durban’s name being in lights in the run-up to 2022 and, of course, during the Games itself,” Stewart predicted.
KZN’s Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa head Charles Preece said the Games would increase Durban’s profile as an international destination of choice.
Preece believed a number of hotels would sprout up to the north of Durban, especially Umhlanga.
Profits trickling to establishments north and south of the city depended on the city’s transport system, he said.
eThekwini’s Tourism head, Phillip Sithole, was adamant transport issues would not be a barrier.
“The Go-Durban project will link the inner city to areas like uMlazi, Inanda, Isipingo, Westville, uMhlanga and other areas. We won’t have a problem with the public transport system,” Sithole said.
Sithole said the city had hosted big conferences and the 2010 World Cup and never had problems.
“Besides, Durban’s Metro Police have much experience in handling big events in the city and they will draw on that experience come the Games,” Sithole said.
He said: “If the Games were to be held today, Durban would net R1 billion. Seven years down the line that figure would be different.”
The Minara Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive, Ebrahim Patel, said he was proud Durban had been selected to host this event. “It adds another feather to our cap.”
Durban Chamber chief executive Dumi Cele said: “The chamber will play a strong advocacy role for the inclusion of local business in the execution of all plans for the Games. Private public partnership will be critical to the successful delivery of such a legacy project.”
The IFP’s Blessed Gwala said: “We are happy Durban was announced as the host. However, we hope that these games will change the ‘ordinary man’s’ life.”
Professor Nhlanhla Khubisa, secretary general of the NFP, said: “We call upon all South Africans to rally behind Durban, because this means a lot to all South Africans.”
However, DA leader in KZN Zwakele Mcwango described the announcement as a time of mourning rather than a day of celebration.
“It is estimated that the event will cost the country around 6.8 billion rand. In a city with so many unemployed citizens, that kind of money could have been put to better use. It could have been allocated to support small township entrepreneurs who would open opportunities for many people to build the economy of the country,” he said.
Sunday Tribune