Curries Fountain Stadium heritage status recognises role in non-racial sport

Curries Fountain Stadium in Durban has received official recognition for its significant role in sports, social history and the anti-apartheid struggle in KwaZulu-Natal. The stadium has been officially designated as a Provincial Heritage Site under the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa and Research Institute Act. KwaZulu-Natal's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula, highlighted the stadium's exceptional historical, cultural and social importance to the people of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.

Known initially as the site of Durban's first reliable water source, established by H.W. Currie in 1878, the grounds were officially declared a sports ground in 1924. The stadium served as a key venue for various sports, social activities, labor movements, and a crucial site for the fight against apartheid. Khawula emphasized that the stadium symbolizes the province's rich intangible heritage, serving as a testament to the history of sport among communities that faced racial exclusion.

The stadium's legacy reflects its role in building identity, community and resilience among those communities. Khawula stressed that heritage conservation is most meaningful when it contributes to preserving collective memory and ensuring significant places remain accessible to future generations. He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, heritage practitioners, organizations, sporting communities, and public members who contributed to the recognition of the stadium's heritage significance.

The minister emphasized that Curries Fountain Stadium is more than just a stadium; it is a living archive of KwaZulu-Natal's journey toward a non-racial, democratic, resilient, and socially cohesive province. Today, the site continues to serve as a common ground where diverse cultures gather for entertainment events, community programs, and heritage celebrations, connecting the past and present in the pursuit of social cohesion and shared identity.