Amahle Radebe
As the Nedbank Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates kicks off in Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, many fans and visitors who couldn’t make it to the stadium are looking for spaces to gather to enjoy post-match activities. In the past, Albert Park would be one of those places, but the place has become synonymous with pickpocketing, violent muggings and as a space to sleep for many of Durban’s homeless.
EThekwini Municipality has been trying to change that in the build up to today’s match.
The eThekwini municipality, ward 32 councillor along with other stake holders like Parks, DSW, and Security Cluster did a clean-up campaign yesterday at Albert Pack, the park is going to be a fan park for today’s highly anticipated 2025 Nedbank cup finale. Community Service Committee Chairperson Zamazulu Sokhabase says he has memories of how this was a space for wedding pictures in the past and that he would like it to return to its previous beauty. “We started this campaign a long time ago, we even built marquees for the homeless as we were trying to claim back the park,” Sokhabase said.
The degradation of the park has been synonymous with what many have been saying is the general neglect of eThekwini. Over the last few years, there were people who would share images of filth in the city that is meant to be a prime holiday destination in South Africa. “The homeless who took over the park were robbing everyone who came to the park and that chased tourists away which them impacted on the economy of the city at large,” Sokhabase continued.
Local councillor, Mzokuthoba Protas Mngonyama, says the park is ready to be enjoyed again. He says it has public viewing big screen for the Nedbank Cup final and that there will be post-match entertainment. “Our aim is to return the park to the people as we have moved the homeless people who were robbing our people and we are in the process of bringing back the park to its original state,” Mngonyama explained.
They say the new plan for the park wants to establish businesses and return it to its former beauty.
