Approximately 50 000 horse racing fans, fashion enthusiasts, and partygoers are expected to flood Durban for the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday 5 July, contributing an estimated R700 million to the city’s GDP, officials said Wednesday.
Africa’s largest horseracing event, held at Greyville Racecourse and themed “Marvels of Mzansi,” is projected to generate R278 million in direct spending and create 4 000 jobs, according to eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba.
“The direct spend is estimated at R278 million, with a total of R700 million contribution to the eThekwini GDP and a total number of 4,000 jobs to be created,” Xaba said at the event’s launch at Westown Square in Shongweni.
Sectors brace for impact
The city’s tourism and hospitality sectors are bracing for an 80% hotel occupancy rate as visitors arrive for the horseracing and fashion spectacle, which celebrates South Africa’s cultural heritage, diversity, and landscapes. “The Hollywoodbets Durban July is more than a race – it is a catalyst for social cohesion as it unites South Africans through the passion of sport, the expression of cultural pride, and the glamour of fashion,” Xaba said.
The economic impact will extend beyond the racecourse through side events, including Fact Durban Rocks, Any Given Sunday, Anywhere in the City, and Mojo’s July Weekend, held across Durban and its townships.
The city has prioritised safety, with Xaba assuring robust measures: “Our law enforcement agencies have developed an integrated safety plan, supported by the private security industry. Visitors are guaranteed a safe stay in the city with high police visibility, particularly around the Greyville precinct and other strategic sites across the Municipality.”
Fashion experience, designers awarded
The Durban July Fashion Experience, a collaboration with the Hollywood Foundation, will feature 25 designers showcasing “Marvels of Mzansi” collections.
The program includes the Young Designers Awards, with 10 student finalists competing for bursaries and a fashion travel package; the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars, where nine emerging designers supported by eThekwini’s Fashion Development Programme vie for a R250 000 prize; and the Invited Designer Showcase, highlighting six established designers, four of whom are programme graduates.
Wide-reaching prestige
Gold Circle Sponsorship and Marketing Executive Steve Marshall noted the event’s economic significance, citing its R700 million GDP contribution in 2024. “It’s impact on racing is undeniable – it’s the most prestigious race in South Africa. It’s got a prize of over R5 million and it’s the race that every trainer, owner, jockey, crew or breeder wants to win. It’s in their dreams,” Marshall said.
Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications Manager Devin Heffer emphasized the event’s broad reach: “This race means so much to so many people, not just the racing industry, but everyone is intertwined. All the public, hospitality, tourism, the government, the GDP, everything is affected and infected with July fever.”
To sustain the tourism surge, Xaba is engaging hospitality stakeholders to enhance visitor experiences and align with development plans. The city is investing R600 million annually in infrastructure, supporting projects like the R15 billion Shongweni Development and the R25 billion Sibaya Precinct Development.
“We are also looking into how we can invest more resources including setting aside budget to improve tourism infrastructure,” Xaba said.
