Durban's New Stadium Already Driving Revenue

The brand new Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban has already proved itself a viable revenue source for the city, generating more than 4 billion Rand (~$528 million USD) since opening just a few months ago. The stadium's arch and sky car are seen as a major pull for the stadium, which has already seen more than 80,000 people ascend the arch.

"This proves that our stadium will never be a white elephant. The over R4 million does not include money generated by businesses at the stadium,” said city manager, Mike Sutcliffe.

The stadium, which was completed months before the World Cup, had become one of South Africa’s tourist attractions, he said.

Durban's stadium generates R4m
News 24
May 6, 2010

Durban Sky Car Breaks Down Again

The sky car at Durban's new Moses Mabhida Stadium has once again stopped working. This new break-down is being attributed to a fault in its data cable. Repairs are expected by May 7.

"Unfortunately this data cable is specialised for the sky car and hence we have to order a replacement cable from overseas," Julie-May Ellingson, the head of Durban's strategic project unit and 2010 programme, said in a statement.

Ellingson said the defects in the cable were detected before the Easter weekend.

Durban sky car grounded
Independent Online
April 26, 2010

Durban Hopes Stadium Arch Will Pay Long-Term Dividends

Officials in Durban are hoping the arch over the new Moses Mabhida Stadium will be a long-standing tourist attraction -- one that will help pay off the $450 million stadium.

If they take the car ride rather than the 520 steps, fans can stand on a walkway high above the stadium and, although they can see little of the field, the view is breathtaking, if not a little scary.

Months before the World Cup arrives in Durban on June 13, the arch is being put to use as a tourist attraction and is likely to be a money maker long after the tournament finishes on July 11 as organisers aim to make up the $450 million cost of building the stadium.

Giants arch is Durban's tourist attraction
Independent Online
April 1, 2010