2010 and Beyond

Having lost the chance to host the 2006 World Cup to Germany by one vote, winning the bid to host the 2010 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup on 15 May 2004 was a huge boost to national pride, and an achievement South Africa is justifiable euphoric about.

"The difference about hosting the World Cup is South Africa is that the local level of enthusiasm for the event is without precedence," said Jamie Byrom, head of MATCH, the company appointed by FIFA to deliver accommodation and ticketing solutions for 2010.

Once banned from all FIFA activities, South Africa is now responsible for hosting the world's premier soccer event - which, according to revised estimates by consulting firm, Grant Thorton, should contribute at least R51,1-billion to national Goss Domestic Product (GDP) between now and 2010.

KwaZulu-Natal has established itself as a leading host of sporting events, with Durban, in particular, hosting the 1995 Rugby World Cup semi-final, the 1996 semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations, the 2003 Cricket World Cup semi-final, the 2006 World Cup Beach Soccer, the first ever South African A1 Grand Prix street race in 2006, as well as the Veterans Tennis Championship and the World Cycling Championship in 2006.

The province is also home to the international renowned Dusi Canoe Marathon and the Comrades Marathon - and plans to establish itself as one of the top sporting and events destinations in Africa with a strategy that is looking at 2010 and beyond.

"The 2010 FIFA World Cup is about business opportunities for our province in many sectors: tourism, sports, security, hotel, food and beverage industry, transport and many others," said MEC for Economic Development, Zweli Mkhize.

With Durban set to host six of the 64 FIFA Soccer World Cup matches in 2010 - including one semi-final - the eThekwini Municipality anticipates an influx of up to 17 000 people to the city on peak days during the World Cup and is busy with planning and development focusing not just on sports infrastructure but the surrounding logistics as well.

Major transportation plans for the city include a new airport and trade hub to the north of the city; a new public transport system in downtown Durban (known as the People Mover) linking several of the beachfront attractions with the Central Business District (CBD); and upgrades to parts of the city centre, as well as the harbour, roads, and railways - all of which are designed to ease congestion and provide safe and reliable transport within the city.

"We are taking an integrated approach to 2010," said Julie-May Ellingson, Durban's Head of Strategic Projects. "We have a holistic business plan that includes information technology, transport and several ambitious urban renewal projects… We have more than 60 projects we are working on within the city - and it's not just about six weeks during the World Cup - it is important that the developments have a long term benefit."

New Airport

It is anticipated that the new R2,4-billion King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) at La Mercy, 30 kilometres north of Durban, will be operational by December 2009 and that the existing Durban International Airport in the southern industrial basin will be decommissioned in the first quarter of 2010.

KSIA's 3700-metre-long runway will cater for the new generation large aircraft (the A380 Airbus) effectively re-opening Durban to international carriers and will be able to cater for 7,5 million passengers per annum.

The nearby Trade Zone, which together with KSIA, makes up the Dube TradePort, will play a pivotal role as part of a multi-billion rand logistics gateway and transport hub, linking air, sea, rail and road for the transhipment of goods - especially perishables and time-sensitive products - to regional and global destinations.

Improved road and rail links

The Western Freeway, which serves as a gateway for all traffic entering the city from the north via the N2 and the south via the N3, is currently undergoing a R110-million upgrade ahead of 2010 - and there are plans to incorporate an 'intelligent transport system' that will re-direct motorists, through the use of electronic sign boards, during peak times or in case of an accident.

The upgrades under consideration for the rail system include a high speed train linking Durban and Johannesburg, with the facility to transport 3 000 people a day, travelling at speeds of up to 200 kilometres an hour.

Commuters on Durban's trains can expect new coaches with comfortable seating and improved safety, as well as a new station in the King's Park precinct, the upgrading of some stations en route, as well as secure park and ride facilities at key places on the line.

People Mover

"Transport is one of our key projects in preparation for the 2010 World Cup, and as part of that we are implementing this People Mover, with busses comparable to those used in major European cities," said Sue Bannister, deputy head of the strategic projects unit of the eThekwini Municipality.

The People Mover, anticipated to be operational from March 2007, will serve as a pivotal link between the CBD, hotels and the planned extensive 2010 fan zone along the Durban beach front.

New Stadium and Sporting Precinct

Construction on the new multi-functional 70 000-seater Moses Mabhida in Durban began on 15th January this year and once complete the stadium will be able to host a variety of international sporting events, including rugby, soccer and athletics.

Other plans for the new Kings Park Sporting Precinct include a major indoor stadium catering for the disabled and a high performance sports science institute and associated sporting academies. These will also serve as crucial training, administrative and hospitality areas during the World Cup.

"As a province the 2010 Soccer World Cup has presented us with a chance to stimulate our own plans for economic development and to enhance our own image as a province.  In the World Cup we see an opportunity to leave behind a legacy based on soccer but with broader relevance, that will live in our nation and the rest of the continent forever. As a province we have adopted the 2010 position paper entitled 'KZN 2010 and Beyond'," said Kwazi Mbanjwa, Acting Director General for KwaZulu-Natal.

• This article was written by Sharon Davis for Global Africa Network's 2007/2008 KwaZulu-Natal Business - A Guide to business and investment in KwaZulu-Natal