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A soaring symbol of unity
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
The Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
© 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Organising Committee
Did you know?
The original Kings Park Stadium hosted the first post-apartheid football match on July 7, 1992, with South Africa beating Cameroon 1-0.
The feature that stands out most at the Moses Mabhida Stadium is its grand arch. At 350 metres long and 106 metres high the arch is symbolic of a diverse nation, unified in its love of sport. The 2 legs of the arch on the southern side of the stadium join together on the northern side, representing a once-divided people now unified.
This Durban sports stadium was built at a cost of around R3.4-billion, across the road from the rugby stadium most popularly known as Kings Park. It has been widely acclaimed as an architectural masterpiece and has already achieved iconic status.
A high-tech sky car whisks visitors up the soaring grand arch to a viewing platform at its peak, to soak up 360° views of the seafront and the city. There's also a 500-stair adventure walk up the arch which is sure to get football fans' hearts pumping.
The 70 000-seat 2010 FIFA World Cup™ stadium hosted 7 matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, including the semi-final between Spain and Germany.
In January 2011, the stadium hosted a T20 cricket match between South Africa and India, which was attended by some 54 000 people, a record for a cricket match in Africa.
Named after a stalwart of the armed struggle against apartheid, it is estimated that the creation of the Moses Mabhida Stadium injected some R155-billion directly and indirectly into the Durban region, creating an impressive 14 000 jobs which have positively impacted on low-income households.
A lively new urban recreation district with retail and food outlets as well as various entertainment options, has been planned adjacent to the stadium. This area has been vastly upgraded and is now a well-light, clean area.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Phone: +27 (0)31 582 8222
How to get here
The King Shaka International Airport is located 60 kilometres north of the city. The N2 freeway takes travellers from the airport to the city.
National routes from other major cities take road users to Durban via the N2 or N3.
Around the area
The nearby Drakensberg region is a World Heritage Site on 2 counts – culture (thanks to San rock art) and nature. There are spectacular views and a plethora of physical activities to tackle, like hiking and fishing. Up the north coast lies another World Heritage Site, iSimangalio Wetland Park, which offers superb diving.
Tours to do
In Durban, the visitor is in the heart of the Zulu Kingdom and Zulu culture may be experienced at various villages in the Valley of 1000 Hills, a pleasant hour's drive from Durban.
Get around
Hire a car or use reliable local taxi services. They'll all know exactly where you need to go for a tour of the stadium, ride in the sky car or even a bungee swing high above the seating.
Where to stay
Being one of South Africa’s most popular seaside destinations, there are many resorts, not only in Durban itself, but all along the coast north and south of the city. Durban boasts a full range of accommodation options, from 5-star hotels to cosy B&Bs.
What to eat
Indian food is highly recommended, along with a speciality that originated in in Durban, the bunny-chow (a hollowed-out half-loaf of bread filled with curry).
