By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Durban has emerged as South Africa’s preferred candidate to pursue a historic bid for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games, placing the country on a path towards a potentially landmark moment for African sport while raising urgent questions about affordability, infrastructure and the long term cost to taxpayers.
The South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (Sascoc) confirmed on Thursday that the KwaZulu Natal coastal city would lead the proposed bid, with Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, at the heart of its plans.
If successful, South Africa would become the first African nation to host the Summer Olympics since the modern Games began in 1896.
Sascoc acting president Lwandile Simelane said the proposal would follow a multicity model, with Durban expected to host the Olympic village, opening and closing ceremonies, and between 60% and 70% of events. Johannesburg and Cape Town could stage selected competitions, making use of existing venues and infrastructure.
The approach is intended to keep the Games compact while drawing on facilities across the country. However, the scale of the financial commitment remains unclear, with officials yet to provide a cost estimate.
That uncertainty comes amid warnings from economists and political analysts that hosting the Olympics could expose South Africa to substantial financial risk. One estimate cited by critics puts the potential cost as high as R500 billion, much of it potentially funded by taxpayers.
Economist Dawie Roodt has cautioned against pursuing the bid, arguing that the Olympics would be significantly more expensive than the 2010 World Cup and questioning whether the country could deliver the infrastructure and coordination required.
The World Cup left South Africa with stadiums that have struggled to generate sufficient income, although Roodt acknowledged that the tournament also boosted national morale and helped strengthen the country’s international tourism appeal.
Political analysts have raised similar concerns, questioning whether billions of rand should be committed to a major sporting event while many communities continue to face challenges with basic services. The risk of expensive, underused venues becoming a long term burden remains central to the debate.
Durban’s selection also revives an Olympic ambition that failed to progress more than a decade ago. The city was previously considered as a potential host following the 2010 World Cup, but financial concerns prevented an official bid. Durban was later stripped of the 2022 Commonwealth Games after failing to provide the financial and other guarantees required.
South Africa is among seven countries that have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Games, alongside Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, South Korea and Türkiye. Other countries have also indicated potential interest in the 2040 edition.
Sascoc chief executive Nozipho Jafta said interested countries had been invited to present their cases to the International Olympic Committee at the end of November, as the process moves towards more detailed assessments. A shortlist is expected to be considered in March, with the host of the 2036 Games due to be selected in 2029.
For South Africa, the prospect is about more than sporting prestige. A successful bid could place the continent at the centre of the world’s biggest sporting event. But the challenge will be demonstrating that the ambition can be matched by a credible financial plan, sustainable infrastructure and lasting benefits for the public.
The Olympic dream is now taking shape around Durban. Whether it becomes a defining national achievement or an expensive gamble will depend on the details still to come.