Fireworks were the order of the night when the lighting of the arch above the Moses Mabhida Stadium was celebrated in Durban on Saturday.

The who’s who in the political and soccer fraternity were present at the ceremony on Saturday. Local Organising Committee chairman Irvin Khoza, Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile, Premier S’bu Ndebele, and MEC Zweli Mkhize were among the dignitaries at the glittering event.

Ndebele said the completion of the arch symbolised unity.

“It is a celebration of teams working together to create not only an architectural and engineering masterpiece, but to physically create an icon that symbolises and spans years of history, hope and work, to let all South Africans feel the pulse of unification,” he said.

“South Africa is ready to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup. KwaZulu- Natal and Durban are ready to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup.”

Ndebele said South Africa was poised to make the 2010 World Cup an African event – one that will help spread confidence and prosperity across the entire continent.

“As hosts of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, South Africa stands not as a country alone – but as a representative of Africa, and as part of an African family of nations,” he said.

The stadium is named after one of the country’s most iconic struggle leaders, Moses Mabhida.

In 2006 the provincial government went to Mozambique and brought back the remains of Mabhida. He was laid to rest outside Pietermaritzburg.

Ndebele hailed the eThekwini municipality, saying the city was on track to complete the iconic stadium that will serve as a symbol of pride.

“We celebrate the completion of the stadium arch, which is a proudly South African architectural, engineering and construction milestone. ”

Nelson Mandela Bay‘s 2010 World Cup stadium will not be delayed as a result of the global financial crisis, with the municipality reporting that construction is ahead of schedule.

The assurance comes after Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile expressed fears that the stadium would not meet its initial March 31 deadline.

“Nelson Mandela Bay is no longer a host for the Confederations Cup, therefore there is no March 31 deadline to meet,” municipal spokesman Lourens Schoeman said.

“The stadium will be ready for the rugby match between the British Lions and a Coastal Unions side on June 16.”

Despite a number of construction firms having closed for the Christmas period, work at the multi-purpose stadium continues at no extra cost to the municipality.

“The main contractor is on schedule and only contractors behind schedule are currently working to make up for lost time at no cost to the client,” Schoeman said.

The initial cost of the stadium had been estimated at R250-million, but rose to R1,2-billion in January last year; and currently the budget for completion stands at R1,95-billion, of which the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality will have to pay 10 percent.

The balance of the costs will be carried by the national and provincial government “on a sliding scale”.

“Progress with construction at the stadium has been moving at an impressive rate with the playing area fully grassed, the players‘ change rooms completed, 40 000 of the 44 000 seats already installed and 30% of the roof completed.

The lighting infrastructure is being installed as work on the roof progresses,” said Schoeman.

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