By Sitha Maliwa:
Under the roar of vuvuzelas, the pulse of chanting fans, and the flashing lights of a packed stadium, Durban became more than just a city on the coast – it became a stage for glory, unity, and economic triumph.
The 2025 Nedbank Soccer Cup Final Soweto Derby was no ordinary match. It was a clash of giants, a national celebration, and, for Durban, a financial jackpot.
As the final whistle blew, the drama off the field was only just beginning. The numbers told a story of their own.
“Proud to have hosted such a mega sporting event – something talking to our sports tourism strategy, because soccer brings people together and a huge number of visitors,” said Winile Mtungwa, Deputy Head of Durban Tourism, as she reflected on the tidal wave of impact the game had on the city.
Durban did not merely host a football final; it bagged R477 million in revenue, with R230 million directly enriching the city’s gross domestic product. Hotels overflowed, the taxi industry surged, and businesses pulsed with life.
For a moment, Durban wasn’t just Durban. It was the epicentre of the nation’s hopes, the heartbeat of sports tourism.
Taxi ranks buzzed with movement, restaurant tills rang without pause, and hotel receptions were scenes of controlled chaos; a glorious logistical ballet where every bed, every ride, and every meal counted toward an economic crescendo.
“Flights booked, hotels packed, and businesses getting a major boost,”
Mtungwa reported proudly.
The event also coincided with the Africa Travel Indaba, creating a convergence of tourism heavyweights and sports fanatics. Accommodation hit 93% occupancy, an almost unheard-of figure, while the taxi industry celebrated a windfall of R17 million.
But this wasn’t Durban’s first dance with big events – nor will it be its last.
“Last year’s Nedbank Cup Final in Mpumalanga welcomed over 43,000 sports tourists, with fans travelling as far afield as Mozambique and Eswatini,” said Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs.
“We saw that same spirit in KwaZulu-Natal.” And what a spirit it was.
Durban stood tall, not only as a host city but as a national example of how sport can transform economies, unite communities, and ignite pride.
“Durban already delivers six of the country’s top 10 tourism events – from the Durban July to the Comrades Marathon. These inject hundreds of millions into the economy and support thousands of livelihoods,” Nobanda added.
From kick off to economic climax, the derby did more than crown a champion; it reminded a nation what’s possible when passion meets planning, and sport meets strategy. Durban didn’t just win. It made history. –@NewsSA_Online
Please like and follow us on our social media platforms, links below: