Routine maintenance of the Moses Mabhida Stadium rehabilitation programme is under way. More than R390 million is expected to be spent on the refurbishments.

Durban’s famous Moses Mabhida Stadium is currently being refurbished as part of the stadium’s routine maintenance programme.

This is to ensure that the facility remains world class and maintains its reputation as one of South Africa’s grandest sporting facilities.

The stadium is structurally stable and just last week hosted the quarter finals of the Nedbank Cup which was attended by more than 50 000 spectators.

In the previous financial year, the facility generated over R53 million in revenue, hosting 152 events.

The 15-year-old facility, which was built ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, requires a constant maintenance plan, said the head of eThekwini Stadia, Dr Vusi Mazibuko.

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, he added.

Dr 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 that it is compliant. The facility must also be able to effectively respond to the unit’s socio-economic mandate, promote social cohesion and generate revenue.

“The refurbishment began in the 2023/24 financial year, following a thorough conditional assessment. This exercise which will see the city spending approximately R390 million over a three-year period. The budget includes other repair works such as the upgrade of the turnstile and the upgrade of the kitchen with related equipment,” said Dr Mazibuko.

“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, steel roof and architectural façade.

“The facelift also includes the upgrade of the stadium’s roof structure and viewing platform to accommodate the new Sky Car to be commissioned within the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period, treating identified corrosion and subsequent paint work.”

Dr Mazibuko said 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 of 1993 and Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act of 2010.

The report detailing the Moses Mabhida Stadium’s rehabilitation programme for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial year was presented during the Community Services Committee held on Monday, April 22.

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R390m upgrade of Moses Mabhida Stadium under way