MBABANE – Significant progress is being made in Eswatini’s ambitious quest for a new international-standard stadium.
Prime Minister Russell ‘Mmiso’ Dlamini is said to have met with a potential investor to finance the E6.015 billion project. This marks a crucial step forward for the nation’s sporting infrastructure.
For some time, government has recognised the urgent need for a modern national stadium, with a pledge to deliver a world-class facility by 2029. This vital development for the sports community is a key component of the government’s Programme of Action (PoA) for 2024/25 to 2028/29. This short-to-medium-term plan is rooted in submissions from the 2023 Sibaya People’s Parliament and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2023/24 – 2027/28.
The current government was given a specific ‘nkwe’ mandate, which includes developing enabling infrastructure, among other key initiatives. Last July, at the 2023/24 Ingwenyama Cup prize presentation, sponsored by Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF), the premier acknowledged the pressing need for a larger and more modern national stadium, given the venerable 56-year-old Somhlolo National Stadium’s deteriorating condition.
tasked
The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs has been tasked with leading this vital national project, which government estimates will cost E6.015 billion, with funding expected from both state coffers and external sources. Eswatini has been actively exploring public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a viable model for this landmark development.
The plan indicates that other key ministries involved in delivering this Olympic-standard venue include the ministries of Public Works and Transport, Housing and Urban Development, Economic Planning, Tinkhundla Administration and Development as well as the Ministry of Finance. The project is anticipated to take three years, from 2026 to 2029. However, the precise location of the new stadium is yet to be disclosed.
In a significant update from the PM’s recent visit to Angola, reported by the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) on Tuesday evening, it was revealed that the premier held discussions with Selim Bora, Chairperson of SUMMA International Construction Group, extensively covering the new stadium project.
The EBIS bulletin further disclosed that SUMMA International Construction Company, a Turkish firm, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Eswatini government.
This MoU outlines the construction company’s commitment to designing, financing and constructing the stadium to meet the stringent international standards required by both the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Research into similar projects highlights the varied costs of building major Olympic stadiums. For instance, the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, constructed for the 2016 Winter Olympics in South Korea, cost approximately E2 billion (US$109 million). In contrast, London Stadium built for the 2012 Summer Olympics cost roughly E14.21 billion (US$780 million) at yesterday’s market exchange rate.
banned
A critical concern for Eswatini remains its current lack of an international stadium, as both Somhlolo National Stadium and Mavuso Sports Centre have been banned from hosting Category ‘A’ games under the banners of FIFA and CAF.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Communications Officer Phumaphi Msweli, said she was yet to check with the relevant office by the time this report was compiled.
On the other hand, Government Acting Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said they do not have further details except that the PM has met with the investor.
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