Once complete, the new Orlando Stadium will change the skyline of Soweto and "restore the dignity" of residents, says the executive mayor.

ORLANDO Stadium is breath-taking, says Alfred "KK" Lentsoane, the legendary mid-fielder who played for Moroka Swallows in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Soccer legend KK Lentsoane looks at the work going on at the new Orlando Stadium

"[The new stadium] is wonderful. It's top-class. I wish I had played in such a stadium during my heyday," Lentsoane says, holding on to the railing of the second tier and sweeping the stadium with nostalgic eyes.

The 56-year-old Lentsoane was among the Soccer Legends invited on a tour of the stadium to check on progress at the landmark venue. Executive Mayor Amos Masondo led the tour, bringing along members of his mayoral council.

Orlando Stadium is one of the training venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The original stadium was demolished in 2006 to make way for a bigger, more aesthetically appealing facility, with seating for 45 000.

Masondo said the stadium was being rebuilt at a cost of R280-million, of which 25 percent came from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant and 75 percent from the City's budget.

First 2010 project
"On 3 May 2006, a day after Orlando Stadium celebrated its 47th anniversary, we stood at almost this exact spot when we handed her – the ‘old lady' – to the contractors. On that day we marked the City of Johannesburg's ground-breaking movement towards the first 2010 project to be initiated by the City."

Executive director of 2010 Sibongile Mazibuko, the City's 2010 executive director, discussed the plans with Executive Mayor Amos Masondo and members of the mayoral committee

Exactly 22 months later, the stadium is 94 percent complete; all work is expected to be finished by October.

"When we announced that Orlando Stadium would be demolished and reconstructed, we had a vision of what the new stadium would look like and what it would mean to the community of Greater Orlando," Masondo said.

It would not only host soccer matches but would be turned into a "multi-purpose" facility. It comprises 120 suites that can be turned into hospitality venues, conference facilities, meeting rooms, a gymnasium, a fan shop and offices.

To support the development, the nearby Orlando train station is being upgraded to handle the large number of people expected to use it once the stadium is complete. Well-lit footpaths from Orlando and Mlamlankunzi stations, located about 500 metres away, will be built, while surveillance cameras will improve safety.

"Orlando Stadium will be completed on time, within budget and without compromising quality as per the commitment we made when we handed it over to the developers in May 2006. The stadium will be complete by November 2008," Masondo said.

Its inauguration would take place on 23 November, with several exciting soccer games.

Dignity
With its encircling roof that would cover 70 percent of spectators, it would change the skyline of Soweto and "restore the dignity" of residents, he added.

Joburg's executive mayor Amos Masondo with some of the city's soccer legends at the the Orlando Stadium

Construction of Orlando Stadium has had a positive effect on the lives of some township residents, especially those living near to it. "The community at large has benefited from this development through the jobs that have been created," said Sid Clark, the City's director of project management. Clark oversees all Joburg's stadiums being built or renovated in the run up to the World Cup.

"To date, 2 205 jobs have been created and training is being provided in the fields of carpentry, bricklaying, plastering and painting."

Training was being provided by certified local Skills Education and Training Authorities, or SETAs, and more than 150 workers had received certificates in various competencies.

Of the 2 205 people working at the stadium, 50 percent hailed from the townships of Orlando, Mzimhlophe, Diepkloof and surrounding areas. Half of this number was women and youth.

Clark said besides the big contractors working on big projects like installing the roof, there were 28 different sub-contracting firms on site; of these, 23 were small, medium and micro enterprises.

"The contractors have done a tremendous job and need to be commended. The whole stadium gobbled up 28 000m? of concrete and 60 000 tonnes of steel."

Parking
Construction was moving into the second stage, with turnstiles and ticket booths being built, according to Sibongile Mazibuko, the City's 2010 executive director. She said 2 500 underground parking bays would be available within the stadium and a parking area for buses would be built to its north.

"The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will run to the east of the stadium and rail transport will complement the BRT on the western side … Public parking facilities will also be constructed around the stadium," she said.

Concerning the role of Soccer Legends, Masondo said they were an important element in the development of football in the city. The Soccer Legends president, Brian "Stopper" Tlhale, said the body was looking into developing a school to teach soccer players life orientation skills. He called on the City for its help on this project.

The Soccer Legends would be the first players to test the new turf at Orlando Stadium, during its inauguration in November.

And Lentsoane hopes to be among the Soccer Legends XI on the day. "I hope to play in the middle of the park like I used to do," he says, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Soccer Legends is a body formed by players of old who use their knowledge and experience to grow a love of football in the city and boost skills in the sport. It is affiliated to Joburg United, set up under the City's One Million Fans campaign to bring residents on board for the World Cup.