DURBAN - The Moses Mabhida Stadium (MMS) in Durban is currently South Africa’s most used 2010 FIFifa World Cup legacy facility compared to others built at the same time.
The stadium’s manager, Vusi Mazibuko, said the entity’s utilisation went beyond footballing events, and included social gatherings like lifestyle enthusiasts, restaurant shoppers and others that take stadium tours to experience attractions like the swing, jump and sky-car drawing people on a daily basis.
It was also a drawcard for school tours from other provinces, including Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State and Mpumalanga.
“Other than football there are attractions that draw people to the stadium seven days a week, while in other stadiums there has to be an event for people to visit.
"MMS is currently enjoying the status of being the most visited stadium out of all stadiums.
"The precinct, as a whole, was being enjoyed by ordinary citizens, event organisers and content owners ,” said Mazibuko.
The 56 000-seater, which can be up-scaled to 85 000 for major events, also hosts an average of about seven non-bowl events like conferences, meetings, workshops by government and corporates as well as launches in its multiple venues a week.
It also hosts bowl events happening in the main stadium.
Recent financial statements showed that the MMS had an annual turnover of R80 million.
He attributed this feat to the stadium’s design’s critical elements, it being accessible in the sense that it was not fenced, and the various attractions it possessed.
It was uniquely designed not to focus solely on football events. It boasted built-in infrastructure for food and beverages, with a cool chill system and two main kitchens that enable the provision of quality food and beverages in suites and public catering for up to 60 000 people.
“The stadium does not outsource this service, thereby using it as an income stream. Its other income streams include events, the People’s Park restaurant, suites, public catering and lease rentals,” Mazibuko said, adding that the stadium’s People’s Park found on both sides of the main road was also popular for hosting concerts, various sports and marquee events.
He said it was an advantage that MMS’s location near the city centre, close to the beachfront, promenade and transport network, made it more accessible, unlike those built on the city’s periphery.
Mazibuko said the stadium's usability was generally judged by the number of big events it hosted.
“People generally judge the use of the stadium by the use of its bowl events.
"However, the MMS is not a white elephant, because we do not have to wait for those. We are not battling with those,” he said.
MMS said The quality of the services it provided also went a long way towards making it a venue of choice.
“Most of our services are internalised. Food and beverages, hospitality, technical and security services are not outsourced as we've built that capacity.
"The important part of the our services is providing the best stadium experience,” Mazibuko said.
If you love adventure, try the Big Rush swing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.