Durban Sky Car

With their World Cup stadium now complete and already hosting football matches, Durban residents cannot seem to get enough of the one-of-a-kind SkyCar that travels up and down the now famous arch of the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The SkyCar leaves every five minutes to ferry up to 20 visitors at a time to the highest point of the arch, providing its passengers with a panoramic 360-degree view of Durban and the Indian Ocean coastline.

For those after more of an adventure, and a fair bit of exercise, there is the option of walking up the arch's steps to get to the top.

According to Lara Mcleod, the stadium's public relations officer, the stadium is proving to be a nucleus of activity as visitors flock to experience the adventure walk, stadium tour, or to ride the most popular attraction – the SkyCar.
Public response

"More than 60 000 people have taken part in at least one of the facilities at the stadium in just 12 weeks, and we are extremely pleased with how the public has responded," she said.

Mcleod said the SkyCar itself has attracted around 44 000 guests since it opened on 30 November, making it a key tourist attraction in the city.

Mounted on an undercarriage, the SkyCar is a single cabin that runs up steel tracks on the northern arch of the stadium. The design is impeccable, with the SkyCar built to descend under its own gravity, enabling it to return to the lower station even in the event of a power failure.

Mcleod says that the view at the top is unparalleled.
'One gets to see the entire city'

"One gets to see the entire city from the top. To the east there is the Indian Ocean, to the west the city suburbs, the north the Umgeni River, and one can even see the Bluff to the south. There is nothing quite like it."

Kameel Kalyan, who went up the SkyCar, said the view made him feel proud to live in Durban.

"The view from above puts together the pieces that make up the puzzle that is Durban," Kalyan said. "It makes you feel proud to live in Durban, and definitely shifted my idea of Durban."
The beauty of Durban

"If you want to truly understand the beauty that is Durban and admire the amazing view, then this is a must-see attraction for all, both locals and tourists."

Mcleod says that there has been a healthy mix of local and tourist patrons to the SkyCar.

"It is the only stadium in the world that has a sky-car or an adventure walk. Of course, stadiums have tours, but there is nothing in the world that compares to these activities."

Zahira Kharsany, a keen football fan from Durban who completed the adventure walk, couldn't agree more.

"The view is beautiful, with the ocean on one side and the city skyline on the other," Kharsany said. "Perhaps umbrellas are needed on the top when it is blistering hot, like the day we went up. My favourite view has to be the Golden Mile from a different vantage point," she added.
Operating hours

The SkyCar operates daily, running from 09:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Friday, and on Sunday.

On Saturday, visitors have the opportunity the chance to view Durban at night, with operating hours running from 07:00 to 22:00.

The cost is R50 for adults and R25 for children under the age of 12.

Source: 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa Organising Committee

Durban Stadium

Moses Mabhida Stadium


 

Moses Mabhida Stadium is defining landmark of Durban. This great design of the stadium symbolising the unity of once-devided people, inspired by South African flag.
It is a world-class and multifunctional arena located in the heart of the Kings Park Sporting Precinct. Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium will be the jewel in the crown of the Kings Park Sporting precinct. The entire area will feature additional sporting arenas and facilities as well as restaurants, shops, play areas for children and a pedestrian walkway linking the stadium complex to the beach.

2010 FIFA Worldcup Host City (2)

Host City : Rustenburg

Rustenburg is in the centre of the savannah bushveld and it is known where Vredefort Dome, a meteorite impact site some 40km in diameter, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves rich and booming mineral platinum mining industry and a farming community that produces grain, tobacco, fruit and vegetables. It is home to one of the country's richest tribes, the Bafokeng Nation.

Rustenburg will be represented by Royal Bafokeng Stadium

Host City : Nelspruit

Nelspruit is the capital of Mpumalanga Province.
it is the place world-famous Kruger National Park, the Panorama Route, Pilgrim’s Rest,Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, and Bourke's Luck Potholes. This city are one of the best tour and travelling area, peacefull places and awakening idea of Africa's Garden of Eden.

Nelspruit will be represented by Mbombela Stadium

 

Host City : Durban

Durban is Kwazulu-Natal province capital.
Durban is the most popular holiday spot and it's easy to see because it has miles and miles of soft sand, fantastic swimming beaches, great surfing and warm weather all year round. In terms of accommodation, there's everything from bed & breakfasts to world-class hotels.
It is bound to be a tourist hot spot during the tournament.  Durban offers up 320 days of sunshine per year. With fabulous beaches, natural attractions and lots of bars and restaurants, it’s also a great place for fun and entertainment.
Durban hosted group, quarter-final and semi-final games in the 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. The city also hosted South Africa's game against England in 2003, which helped launch the country's bid for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. England won the encounter 2-1.

Durban will be represent by Moses Mabhida Stadium