Moses Mabhida Stadium
| File:Durban staduim.jpg | |
 | |
| Location | Durban, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Owner | South African Football Association |
| Capacity | |
| Field size | Stadium: 320m x 280m x 45m, Arches: 100m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2006 |
| Opened | 2009 |
| Tenants | |
Moses Mabhida Stadium named after a former General Seretary of the SACP is intended to be a world-class multi-use stadium in Durban, South Africa..[1]
When completed it will play host to the Confederations Cup in 2009. It would be one of the host stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has a planned capacity of between 70,000 and 80,000 people. Moses Mabhida Stadium is adjacent to the ABSA Stadium in the Kings Park sporting precinct. As part of the city's plans for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Kings Park Soccer Stadium was demolished in late 2006 to make way for the new stadium complex which includes an adjoining indoor arena, sporting museum, sports institute and a new transmodal transport station.
Stadium specifics
The stadium is being constructed on the grounds of the Kings Park Soccer Stadium, in the Durban sports precinct.
Dimensions
Stadium: 320m x 280m x 45m
Arches: 100m
Construction progress
Demolition of the existing Kings Park Soccer Stadium which was estimated to cost R2,5-Million (ZAR) has been completed and construction is in progress.
| Date | Phase | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07-08 | 1 | Destruction of existing stadium, southern pavilion. | Completed |
| 2006-07-12 | 2 | Destruction of existing stadium, northern pavilion. | Completed |
| 2006-07-25 | 3 | Destruction of existing stadium, main pavilion. | Completed |
| 2007-04-01 | 4 | Construction begins. | Started |
2010 FIFA World Cup
The stadium is one of the venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and will probably be host to a semi-final match. Some wondered whether Durban actually needed a new stadium and were critical of the new venue, claiming that it would become a "white elephant" after the FIFA World Cup. For example the shack dwellers' movement Abahlali baseMjondolo has strenuously opposed the building of this stadium. However, the stadium may be used to bid for future Rugby World Cups and, since it will have an athletic track,future athletic or multi-sport events.
Naming controversy
On Feb 1 2006, KwaZulu-Natal Premier S'bu Ndebele was quoted as saying that since the stadium will only be finished in 2009, it was not yet important to decide upon a name. He said: "For now let us refer to it as a new 2010 stadium. The main issue is that KwaZulu-Natal is building a new stadium. The name can be anything. It can be Christmas Tree". eThekwini mayor Obed Mlaba suggested that the stadium may be named Moses Mabhida Stadium.[1]
The Stadium was originally to be named after King Senzangakhona, the father of the Great King Shaka Zulu. The name has since been changed to Moses Mabidha who is largely unknown to the Kwazulu-Natal Region. This name change has come amongst speculation by the Durban public that the IFP's presence and Kwazulu Natal Historic Figures are being erased from History through various name changes to make way for ANC political and revolutionary figures. Some of the bizarre name changes include a road named after Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. There have been mass protests in the streets because of the Durban Street Name Controversy and have caused unrest and ill feeling in the province against the National government of the ANC.
See also
References
External links
- Senzangakhona stadium update- Link to press release on city website.
- Durban's 2010 stadium 'not a waste of money'
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