KwaZulu-Natal Premier hails Nedbank Cup Final as peaceful, profitable triumph for KZN

IOL News

11-05-2025

A Kaizer Chiefs fan, at a fan park in Durban, celebrates after the team clinched the Nedbank Cup in the match played at Moses Mabhida stadium on Saturday.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said the the peaceful and incident-free hosting of the 2025 Nedbank Cup Final was a major boost for the province, both on and off the field.
The match, which saw Kaizer Chiefs crowned champions, saw thousands of football fans travel to Durban for the football showpiece at the Moses Mabhida stadium. Dozens of other fans gathered at the fan parks set up in eThekwini Municipality.
Ntuli said the event injected over R93 million into the provincial economy.
He extended his 'heartfelt congratulations to Kaizer Chiefs Football Club on their remarkable victory', and also praised the runners-up for their 'spirited performance, which contributed to an unforgettable sporting spectacle.'
Ntuli said he had been pleased with the smooth and dignified hosting of the national final.
'KwaZulu-Natal is deeply honoured to have hosted a prestigious national final that unfolded in a safe, vibrant, and dignified manner. Our communities, spectators, and visitors demonstrated the very best of ubuntu and national unity,' Ntuli said.
He thanked all stakeholders involved in the success of the event, adding: 'This is a testament to the province's growing capacity to deliver world-class events without compromising safety and public order. We thank our law enforcement agencies, volunteers, and all stakeholders who ensured the success of this occasion.'
In addition to the celebratory scenes in the stadium, the event delivered a significant boost to local businesses.
The hospitality, tourism, and entertainment sectors recorded a sharp increase in demand. Township traders also benefited through increased vendor participation and trading opportunities, further stimulating the grassroots economy.
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Hundreds of people watched the match at the fan park set up by the eThekwini Municipality on the Durban beachfront.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
The Premier used the opportunity to reaffirm his government's commitment to broad-based sports development across KZN, particularly in historically under-resourced areas.
'We are working to ensure that football is not the only code that thrives in KwaZulu-Natal. From netball and cricket to athletics, boxing, rugby, and indigenous games, our young people must have access to diverse sporting opportunities, infrastructure, and development programmes,' said Ntuli.
He added that the province, through partnerships with municipalities, the private sector, and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, is already identifying and upgrading sporting facilities while supporting youth training and talent development programmes in all districts.
'KwaZulu-Natal remains committed to being a sporting powerhouse not only through hosting major events but by nurturing grassroots talent and ensuring that sport becomes a tool for economic empowerment, social transformation, and community pride,' Ntuli concluded.
THE MERCURY