Two of the world’s best tennis players are set to do battle in the first-ever tennis match at the Cape Town Stadium.
Western Cape, South Africa (5 February 2020) – Fresh from competing in the Australian Open, 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer will square off with long-time rival and 19-time Grand Slam singles champion Rafael Nadal on the 7th of February 2020.
The exhibition match, the sixth in the series, will be the first played on African soil under the auspices of the Roger Federer Foundation to raise funds for children’s education in Africa.
“This event is a wonderful initiative that aims to give back to those less fortunate and, as the City of Cape Town, we are more than happy to lend our support especially to a cause that seeks to develop young people. As Africa’s leading festival and event destination, we are also very thrilled to be hosting this once-in-a-life-time spectacle,” said the City’s Executive Mayor Dan Plato.
In addition, event organisers will also attempt to break the world record for the most spectators to watch a single tennis match at the 50 000-seater Cape Town Stadium.
The City of Cape Town is contributing to this charitable cause by supporting the event in the form of City services.
“As the City, we recognise that events such as Match in Africa provides enormous benefit to the local economy and play a pivotal role in generating visitor expenditure. This further translates to job opportunities, invaluable skills transfer and experiences for the many locals who work behind the scenes to make the events possible,” said Mayor Plato.
Tennis fans at the stadium will also be treated to a pre-match exhibition game between the Daily Show’s South African host Trevor Noah and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
The pair will also play a doubles match with Federer and Nadal.
Residents and motorists are advised to please take note of the temporary road closures that will be in place in the city centre and surrounds to accommodate the upcoming event, as well as other logistics which can be found here.
In addition, the South African Police Service will have a Remote Search Park at Gallows Hill Traffic Department and the following will be closed on 7 and 8 February:
- Drivers licence renewals and collections
- All driver licence tests
- All learners licence classes
- Fine payments and queries
- Warrants section
- Taxi office
- Vehicle and cell phone impounds
Residents who have drivers licence and learner licence tests will all be notified and given alternative dates.
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