By Kemantha Govender

Durban - Clear skies have been predicted for the city as the Moses Mabhida Stadium gears up to host its first 2010 FIFA World Cup match between Germany and Australia.

The match will kick-off at 8:30pm and fans are urged to make their way to the stadium earlier if they want to avoid traffic jams.

Julie-May Ellingson, Head of Strategic Projects Unit and 2010 Program, said that "after huge crowds attended the FIFA Fan Fest and Beach Festival and the two PVA's on the opening day, we are expecting to be at capacity on Sunday with Durban's first fixture".

"A lot of work has been put into these events by many people, and the team is continuing to strive to ensure that Durban's fan park celebrations are successful," Ellingson added.

The other two matches that will be screened at the Fan Fest are Algeria vs Slovenia - 1:30pm, and Serbia vs Ghana - 4pm.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, a very young but promising German side will be looking for their sixth consecutive World Cup match opener.

Without their captain Michael Ballack, out due to injury, the 2006 World Cup hosts will look to Bastian Schweinsteiger to work the midfield.

Australia will hope that Everton danger man Tim Cahill, if passed fit, will add to his impressive 20 goals in 40 international games, in order for them to advance to the next round.

The three times World Cup winners are set to take advantage of the Australian defence which hasn't been to convincing in their recent warm-up games.

Germany might just end up with the locals' support as Australia continue to remain one of South Africa's biggest sporting rivals.

Source: BuaNews 

The City of Durban experienced a festival of lights on Valentines Day as fireworks decorated the night sky in celebration of the completion of the signature arch of the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The celebrations, which were attended by City dignitaries as well as LOC officials, saw the lights of the stadium and the arch being switched on for the first time.

Addressing guests, KZN premier Sibusiso Ndebele said that the milestone signified South Africa’s and indeed Durban’s readiness to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, adding that the event should be seen as a celebration of unity.

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

Engineers completed the arch at the end of January when the last of the 60ton segments forming the Y-shaped arch was slotted into place.

The arch will provide critical support for the stadium roof, reports Engineering News. The roof will have a surface area of 46 000 m2 and will be suspended from the arch by steel cables and secured around the perimeter of the stadium by a compression ring. The cost of the roof and arch is R448-million.

The stadium is now more than 60% complete with the final completion date set for October 30th 2009. Once complete, the stadium is expected to provide a world-class venue for sport events in South Africa. The three-tiered stadium will have a gross seating capacity of 70 000. It will also form part of Durban’s King Park sporting precinct which will accommodate a variety of sporting disciplines including athletics, rugby, golf and swimming.

The stadium is named after struggle stalwart Moses MnCane Mabhida. He was one of the founding members of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) and was elected a vice-president at its first congress in 1955. He also served as a commander in the MK before serving as General Secretary of the Communist Party. He died of a heart attack in 1986 while working in Maputo. His body was embalmed and transported to South Africa in 2006, where he was buried at the Slangspruit Heroes Acre in his birthplace of KwaZulu Natal.

Source: South Africa: The Good News