Durban is to be the new host of Pietermaritzburg’s oldest professional football team, Maritzburg United.

The historic decision marks the end of an era for the club, once a cornerstone of Pietermaritzburg’s pride and community spirit, as they prepare to be rebranded as Durban City and settle into Chatsworth Stadium as their new base.

This week, Farook Kadodia, the long-serving chairperson of Maritzburg United, said the team’s departure is final, signaling the closure of a chapter that has defined Pietermaritzburg's sporting landscape for decades.

Kadodia expressed deep regret over the decision, saying he only made the decision after exhausting all avenues to keep the team in its beloved home city. The crux of the issue lays in the club’s inability to secure a shared agreement with Royal AM, a Premier Soccer League (PSL) team, for the use of Harry Gwala Stadium — a dispute that has been brewing for some time.

Owned by the high-profile businesswoman and reality TV star Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, Royal AM has not only claimed Harry Gwala Stadium but also secured a lucrative sponsorship deal from the Msunduzi Municipality, effectively sidelining Maritzburg United. The municipality’s refusal to accommodate both teams has left Kadodia feeling both heartbroken and perplexed.

“We were a vital part of the city,” Kadodia said, recalling how Maritzburg United’s home games would fill Harry Gwala Stadium to capacity, drawing fans from across the province and providing economic boosts to local businesses, from taxi operators to vendors outside the stadium. “How do you explain yourself to those people? They depended on us. Most people in Pietermaritzburg felt a deep connection with our team; they were part of our journey, and we were part of theirs.”

In a statement released on Tuesday titled “Curtain draws close on memorable period in Pietermaritzburg football history,” Kadodia addressed the Pietermaritzburg community, particularly the club’s loyal supporters known as the “Blue Army”.

He expressed gratitude for their unwavering support over the years and acknowledged the difficulty of this transition.

“As we say goodbye, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, partners, and most importantly, the ‘Blue Army’—the club’s incredible supporters. Your unwavering support and passion have been the lifeblood of Maritzburg United. We will always cherish the memories and achievements we have shared together, along with the close ties with the local community that were always at the heart of everything we did at the Team of Choice.”

Farook Kadodia, the long-serving chairperson of Maritzburg United.

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