By Nangamso Mabindla
3 August 2006

WATCHING the beautiful game of soccer in Mdantsane will be more of a pleasure, as Buffalo City municipality sets about improving conditions at the popular Sisa Dukashe Stadium in NU2.

The upgrade is to beef up safety for the thousands of spectators drawn by crowd-pulling matches against teams like Kaiser Chiefs.

As a result, the City – through its Project Implementation Unit - came up with designs of what the stadium would look like after the completion of the project.

Duma Mnqubevu from the City's engineering services said the first step would be a ring brick-paved 870-metre road for easy access for vehicles.

"Currently there is no order when cars are parked inside the stadium; but with the new paved road we aim to bring some order, especially during bigger games in Mdantsane," said Mnqubevu.

Other constructions include a 60-metre long block incorporating a concrete stormwater drain, staircases and ablution facility closer to pay points and the erection of two-metre high sliding gates.

"We will construct 685-metre long new steel safety railings in the existing grand stand; and we will also put up new staircases. This will prevent the crowd from having easy access to the field during the game."

Sisa Dukashe Stadium will also be disable-friendly and a wheelchair ramp will be constructed for easy access to the stands.

Access will also be easier as two entrances with ticketing facilities will be built.

"Our plan, money permitting, is to have a VIP entrance parking facility. We already have plans in place, but we are hoping we will be able to access funds to go ahead with the project," said Mnqubevu.