R5m to attract events at stadium

THE establishment of a City Events Fund of R5 million was approved by eThekwini Municipality’s executive committee yesterday.

It would be used to attract events to the Moses Mabhida Stadium and would be accommodated for in the current financial year’s budget.

In a report tabled before the committee, deputy city manager Musa Gumede said that to attract good quality and popular events, funding or support was usually required.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium was competing with other stadiums and markets bigger than those in Durban.

“Funding will make it easier to attract these events,” he said.

Gumede said the stadium’s success and image was judged by the high-profile and successful events that were hosted – especially events within the stadium bowl.

Hosting specially targeted events benefited the city through attracting tourists, marketing, creating a platform for social cohesion, supporting the economy and creating jobs.

Opportunities

“The unfortunate situation for the stadium currently is that Durban’s Golden Arrows soccer team have been relegated and we have lost their home fixtures against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates,” Gumede said.

There were opportunities to host other football fixtures but these required financial support.

The stadium management had been engaging with concert promoters, Big Concerts International, about the possibility of hosting more concerts in Durban.

However, Big Concerts did not consider Durban as an option for stadium tours.

Gumede said the organisers only opted to stage concerts in Joburg and Cape Town.

“After the success of the Nitro circus earlier this year, management had further discussions about hosting other Big Concerts events and they have agreed to look at Durban for future tours,” he said.

This was subject to some form of assistance from the city to alleviate their risk and assist with covering operating costs to host the event.

DA councillor Heinz de Boer said it would be good for the city to look at the medium and long-term prospects of the stadium.