South Africa has taken a formal step towards hosting the first Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games on African soil, with the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) naming Durban as the country’s preferred host city for the proposed 2036 or 2040 Games at Olympic House in Melrose, Johannesburg on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
The announcement places two women at the forefront of the country’s most ambitious sporting undertaking. SASCOC Acting President Lwandile Simelane addressed the media, while CEO Nozipho Jafta has spearheaded South Africa’s engagement with all interested parties and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Simelane said the ambition rests on the conviction that sport can cross borders, unite people and drive real social and economic progress.
“Somewhere in our country today, a child laced up a worn pair of shoes and ran. It might have been on a dusty field, a township street or a school ground by the sea. For generations, children across our continent have dreamed of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and for generations that dream has had a faraway address. Today, we take a historic step towards bringing it home, to Africa, the birthplace of humanity.”
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South Africa’s record as a host nation includes two women’s world championships in 2023, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the Netball World Cup, which Simelane counted among the milestones behind the bid.
“In 2023, we showed that we could unite behind women’s sport. In 2036, we aspire to bring the world’s greatest celebration of human achievement to the continent.”
SASCOC Acting President, Lwandile Simelane
Durban was selected following an independent evaluation of three interested cities, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. During October 2026, an independent panel conducted city presentations and venue visits to assess each city’s hosting concept and facilities, in a closely contested process.
Jafta explained that SASCOC has followed the IOC’s Future Host Selection Process and its guidelines and timelines through Continuous Dialogue.
“Continuous Dialogue allows interested parties and the IOC to examine the vision and feasibility of hosting. It is the stage at which important questions about venues, athlete experience, funding and long-term legacy begin to take shape.”
SASCOC CEO, Nozipho Jafta
She added that provinces and cities were briefed on the process in May, when a call was made for expressions of interest from cities wishing to host.
SASCOC’s hosting vision follows the IOC’s reformed approach, including the New Norms, which emphasise financial sustainability, flexibility, the reuse of existing infrastructure and long-term community benefit. South Africa intends to prioritise existing venues, refurbished facilities and temporary infrastructure, with a regional hosting concept extending opportunity beyond the principal host city.
The proposal places athletes at its heart, with inclusion, accessibility and equal opportunity at its core. Simelane said the Paralympic Movement would play an integral role in advancing universal accessibility and the recognition of athletes with disabilities.
“Success will not be measured only by the facilities we build or the spectacle we present. It will be measured by what remains after the final medal has been awarded: better infrastructure, greater opportunity, stronger communities and a more united and prosperous nation.”
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South Africa will present its hosting vision to the IOC Future Host Commission in November 2026. Under the IOC’s revised timetable, interested parties are expected to be considered for progression to Strategic Dialogue in March 2027, with the election of the 2036 host scheduled for mid-2029.
Simelane closed by returning to the young athletes at the centre of the ambition. “This dream is not only about the honour of hosting the world. It is about the chance to transform our country, inspire our continent and leave a legacy worthy of the generations yet to come.”
Original Copy: SASCOC, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: SASCOC Acting President Lwandile Simelane (left), Dr Sam Ramsamy (middle) and Evaluation Chairperson Ruben Reddy (right) at the unveiling of Durban as South Africa’s preferred host city for a 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid, after a three-city evaluation, at Olympic House in Melrose, Johannesburg on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Photo: SASCOC
Photo 2 Caption: Simelane set out a vision for a distinctly African Games built on inclusion, accessibility and equal opportunity, with athletes at its heart.
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