Exellent stuff Greg, funny I didnt see this article in paper, will post this in the "sports arena" thread.

thanx for that Greg! Guess parliament got to see it and us local o's will have to wait! damn! oh well...maybe tomorrow? but prob next week

I'm sending an email direct to the Daily News! got their email addy, plus my cuz is a sports jounerlist at the Tribune ao I told him to fish out any news.
true my cuz is a cape times journalist for the last i dunno how many years..i shud also fish...

08 Jun 2006 : Hotusa buys 20 hotels in Cape

In line with its commitment to international expansion, Hotusa has added 20 South African hotels to its portfolio during the month of May all of which are in the Cape. In addition, the chain of independent hotels will exclusively represent these hotels under its HA code in the four main international GDS systems (Worldspan, Amadeus, Sabre and Galileo). Thus, it positions itself clearly as an expanding destination, which will reach its peak with the organisation of the FIFA Football World Cup in 2010.

The new Hotusa hotels are located on the “Garden Route”, the country’s most popular tourist destination, which spans a beautiful stretch of the Cape West Coast. Likewise, all of the hotels feature elegant decor and offer a welcoming atmosphere. Another plus is the proximity of many of these hotel facilities to well-known golf courses. Currently, South Africa has over 580 spaces devoted to the practice of this sport.

The South African hotels that are now part of the company are: the Cosmos Cuisine Guest House and the Zuurberg Mountain Inn, of Addo; the Cape St. Francis Resort, of Cape St. Francis; the Port Hotel, of St. Francis Bay; the Fountains Hotel, the Hotel Graeme and the Mountain Manor Guest House, located in Cape Town; the Franschhoek Inn, of Franschhoek; the Monwana Lodge, of Hoedspruit; the Joie de Vivre Country House, of Klapmuts; the African Oceans Manor Guest House, of Mossel Bay; the Kleinplaas Resort and the Thylitshia Villa Country Guest House, both of Oudtshoorn; the Buffalo Hills Game Reserve & Lodges, of Plettenberg Bay; the Erinvale Estate Hotel and Spa and the Straightway Head Country Hotel, of Somerset West; the Alluvia Wine Estate and the Evergreen Manor & Spa, of Stellenbosh; the Swellengrebel Hotel, of Swellendam and, finally, the Fairy Knowe Hotel, of Wilderness.

Despite South Africa having limited experience in tourism, as the sector only began to evolve approximately 10 years ago, after the fall of Apartheid, this past decade it has registered a spectacular growth. In 1995, South Africa welcomed a total of 400,000 tourists, whereas in 2005 the figure rose to 7.3 million visitors, a trend which is expected to continue in coming years.

With its headquarters in Barcelona and 9 local offices spread between Austria, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina and the Czech Republic, Hotusa is structured into 2 large divisions: Hotusa (hotels with up to 5 stars) and Family Hotels (1 and 2 stars).

The company, led by Amancio López Seijas, also markets its establishments under 4 major brands: A Mares (sun and beach), Euronatur (located in mountain areas), Style (hotels intended for CC&I sector) and Domus Selecta (charming tourism).

Created in 1977, the Hotusa Group is currently a thriving organisation made up of an important number of companies related to the most diverse fields within the tourist sector. It houses the independent Hotusa hotel chain, the hotel representative Keytel, the Tour-operator Restel, the Hotelius.com on-line reservation and management website, the Eurostars Hotels chain, which consists of 32 establishments, as well as another 23 hotels which are directly owned.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8507/capetown2010graphic5xk.jpg


The location of the new world cup stadium, the location of the one and only hotel clearly visible.

Same old story from Safa about Bafana coach
Nkareng Matshe
June 08 2006 at 10:57AM

It was meant to finally bring closure to five months of speculation and uncertainty over the Bafana Bafana head coach position.

Instead, Wednesday's press conference on what Sturu Pasiya's committee have decided should spark six more weeks of guesswork and name-throwing on the potential candidate.

Pasiya, the chairperson of the South African Football Association's (Safa) technical committee, released a statement which, while it sought to provide clarity on what has been a frenzied period of speculation since Stuart Baxter left the country, raises more questions than answers.

Whoever it is that Pasiya's team have identified as their man - and all fingers of speculation, as has been the case for long, point to Carlos Alberto Parreira - could still elude Safa's grasp as there's currently no binding contract with the said candidate.

'We have a gentleman's agreement with the candidate'
"We have a gentleman's agreement with the candidate that he would definitely join us after the World Cup," Pasiya said. As it is all too well known, however, a signature is always more reassuring than "a gentleman's agreement".

Parreira, the Brazil head coach, and compatriot Felipe Scolari, who heads Portugal, are the only two of seven Bafana candidates who are currently at the World Cup in Germany, but the former has always been close to South Africa.

Parreira was poised to take over the Bafana coaching job in 2000 and even travelled all the way for a week's stay here - also appearing on local television as a guest analyst - but later changed his mind, leaving Safa to settle for second-best candidate Carlos Queiroz.

There's nothing to stop him from doing that again, not least if victory for Brazil in Germany sparks other lucrative offers for the 63 year old.

By keeping the nation guessing on who among the seven shortlisted candidates - Parreira, Scolari, Gerrard Houllier of Olympique Lyon, Louis van Gaal of AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands), Claude Le Roy of the DR Congo, and two locals Jomo Sono and Gordon Igesund - the technical committee is clearly keeping their options open in case the man whose name they forwarded to the Safa executive withdraws for whatever reason.

Pasiya dismissed suggestions that the executive will have the final say on the matter, saying his committee had been fully mandated to find, not merely recommend, a suitable candidate, sending out another contradictory message to that of his employers.

"We are proud to announce that we have fulfilled the mandate given to us by the Safa executive.

"We have done our part and are now ready to engage the NEC and the (Bafana) commercial wing to endorse our recommendation. We look forward to welcoming our new coach sometime in July or early August," Pasiya's statement read.

Germans lift the bar high for 2010

June 08 2006 at 12:21PM

By Matshelane Mamabola

It's probably too early to start making pronouncements as to the kind of World Cup Germany will deliver. But a day before the opening ceremony indications are that Franz Beckenbauer and his people are going to put South Africa under immense pressure. German efficiency - you've heard it said many times before.

Drivers of all cars German will tell you that there are none better. The experience I've had with my Italian vehicle as compared to my wife's German machine leads me to agree.

Since arriving here, however, I found Germans not only efficient in matters automotive. They are that way about everything.

.......

It was at the stadium, though, where one realised just how hard an act South Africa is likely to have to follow when we host the tournament in four years.

I got my accreditation on Wednesday and the process took 10 minutes. It was a far cry from the hassles I experienced in previous tournaments I've covered - especially the African Cup of Nations.
The least said about how things are done at the Premier Soccer League and the South African Football Association the better.

Having already applied for the accreditation, which was approved by Fifa, all I had to do was rock up at the local stadium's accreditation centre.

All the way from the stadium entrance, bright and clear signposts ensured I was saved the hassle of having to ask for directions.

Upon presenting the confirmation letter and my passport, a process that took just two minutes, I moved to the next port where I had my picture taken following a further two minute wait as there were other journalists ahead of me.

Once that was done it took a further two minutes to wait for the accreditation. With the identification bag dangling down my neck I gained access to the state of the art media centre - teeming with efficient and surprisingly friendly staff who can speak a number of different languages.

Yet while it appears Germany will host a World Cup that will run with the precision of a Swiss watch, SA can take solace in the fact that Fifa have put their highly experienced personnel in charge with locals providing back up.

Still, we are going to have to quickly learn to do things the right way - unlike the messy way that always sees non-media being in possession of PSL accreditation - if 2010 is to be a success.

Article in German FT today....
--------------------------------------------------
South Africa stumbles towards World Cup
von John Reed, Johannesburg
Four years before the event, the FT finds few signs of progress on preparations for hosting the 2010 tournament; South Africa claims it wishes to leave Germany time.
Welcome Fifa: Polokwane is Ready for 2010!" reads the banner stretched above a road in the dusty South African provincial capital. Polo-kwane will be one of nine cities hosting World Cup soccer games in four years' time, yet the pennant appears to be a relic of an inspection visit by the sport's governing body.

Despite the upbeat assertion, there are few visible indications of any kind in South Africa that it is preparing for the 2010 football World Cup. It is counting on the event to boost its economy and international image but there is no sign of a planned major upgrade for Polokwane's antiquated stadium, much less a proposed new 250-room tourist hotel.

Making the world's largest sporting event a success is a point of pride for the country, which narrowly lost the right to host this year's tournament to Germany. South Africa is the first country in Africa - a continent of avid footballers - to host the event.

When it won the right to do so at the second attempt two years ago, football fans in Johannesburg celebrated by trumpeting on plastic horns known as vuvuzelas. Since then, concerns have been raised about its preparations for 2010, including planned infrastructure upgrades and provisions for transport and safety. Recent power blackouts in Cape Town and other cities have raised the spectre of foreigners shivering through the tournament, which will be held in South Africa's sunny but cold midwinter.

Another point of anxiety is the state of Bafana Bafana, South Africa's national team. Fifa currently ranks the squad 50th worldwide. The team will not be going to Germany.

Organisers insist that legislative and other preparations for the event are rolling ahead but that under Fifa protocol they are keeping quiet until Germany finishes hosting this year's tournament.

"There has been a fair amount going on," says Tumi Makgabo, communications manager for the 2010 organising committee. "We need to respect the fact that we're heading up to the 2006 World Cup, and we need to give them space."

Technical teams are working with host cities on stadium construction plans, she says, and several have finished their plans.

South Africa is building only four of its 10 World Cup stadiums from scratch, but work needs to begin in the last part of this year if the facilities are to be ready for 2010. "Certainly it's do-able, but it's imperative that it begins," Ms Makgabo says.

Mindful of concerns about South Africa's high crime rate, police say they plan to have more than 200,000 officers and reservists on duty by 2009, when South Africa is due to host the Confederations Cup, a prelude to the World Cup.

The 2010 tournament's funding target of $2bn (€1.55bn, £1bn) has also been met, according to organisers. Fifa's ability to draw big sponsors for the event appears to have allayed any concerns over the commercial viability of an African World Cup.

What is less clear is whether South Africa will have adequate transportation facilities in place. The two stadiums in Johannesburg, which is expected to host the final in 2010, are far from the city's tourist areas and lack adequate links.

Excavation began last month for a $3.2bn European-style rapid rail network called The Gautrain. But Jack van der Merwe, the project's head, says only a single segment running between Johannesburg's northern suburb of Sandton and Pretoria will be ready by 2010. Also uncertain is whether Bafana Bafana will be ready to make their countrymen proud by 2010.

"It's very painful that Bafana won't be going to the [2006] World Cup," says Moffat Shabangu, a football fan in Johannesburg. He says he will be supporting Angola, the team "nearest to our South African region"

Here's some clarity from today's Mercury. Seems we're going to have to wait a day or 2 longer.


Demolition of Durban soccer stadium begins
June 08, 2006 Edition 1

BRONWYN GERRETSEN

Soccer greats such as Shaun Bartlett, Doctor Khumalo and Kevin Keegan may have graced the pitch of the King's Park Soccer Stadium at some time during their careers, but their famous presence on the Durban pitch was clearly a distant memory as patch after patch of grass was dug up and thrown into the back of a municipal truck.

The digging up of the pitch is the first step in the demolition of the stadium in preparation for its R1.6 billion upgrade for the 2010 soccer World Cup.

With Durban set to host group matches and a semi-final in the international tournament, a world-class, multipurpose stadium is planned to replace the old stadium, although just what this stadium will look like and comprise is still unknown.

The eThekwini Municipality is to announce the appointment of the consortium responsible for the design of the stadium, unveil this new design and offer more clarity on when construction of the new King Senzangakhona Stadium will begin, later this week.

Officials on site yesterday said the digging up of the grass was the first step in the demolition of the sports grounds and, although a few rows of seats were already missing in the main stands and some small piles of rubble are evident on the top row of the concrete stands, the gutting of the rest of the facility would follow.

The new stadium is hoped to be completed by the end of 2008.


Methinks it will be revealed in the Fri Metro or the Sunday Tribune. Either way, just a few days more....

More alarmingly is the fact (of which I wasn't aware of until today) that the stadium hosting the opening ceremony of any soccer WC has to be complete 1 whole year before the ceremony itself (FIFA regulations). That brings the deadline forward even more!!!

I think we need to get our A's into G...

^^ um no the deadline doesnt need to be brought forward. Durban's stadium will start a good 4 months before the others (probably more than that tho) and will be ready by Dec 2008. Thats the cities timeline and all contractors said they could finish before that even.

Obviously no one knows who is hosting the opening match, but if its Durban we on track, if it were CT i'd be much more worried and as for Soccer City, its getting the final, so wont get the first match.

^^ um no the deadline doesnt need to be brought forward. Durban's stadium will start a good 4 months before the others (probably more than that tho) and will be ready by Dec 2008. Thats the cities timeline and all contractors said they could finish before that even.

Obviously no one knows who is hosting the opening match, but if its Durban we on track, if it were CT i'd be much more worried and as for Soccer City, its getting the final, so wont get the first match.
until we start seeing real progress we wont be able to tell who will be finish first...durban and cape town both complete the stadia by dec 2008,

Whatever this means...funny though

--------------------------------------


Another World Cup For Ct - 2006/06/08


While controversy continues over the multi-billion rand upgrade of Cape Town's Greenpoint Stadium prior to 2010, another soccer world cup is coming to the city that will be held at the city's most historic square, the Grand Parade, which is about to go through a major revitalisation process.

The Homeless World Cup, a world-class street soccer event will blaze the trail for the 2010 World Cup, unites socially marginalised people from around the world. Forty eight teams will battle it out on the Grand Parade.

The Grand Parade, an area long afflicted by crime and grime, has been identified as a prime public open space that is ripe for revitalisation. The Cape Town Partnership recently held a workshop with key stakeholders to hear opinions on 'the current state and future possibilities' for the Grand Parade.

Stephen Boshoff, the executive director of strategy and policy from the City of Cape Town, outlined the City's approach and stressed its commitment to the revitalisation plan adding that it was part of the city's effort to provide 'functioning open spaces, especially in the context of the redevelopment of District Six'.

Stakeholders also stipulated that there should be respect for all the heritage aspects of the Grand Parade from the pre-colonial to the present and that there should be an integration of the Castle, Drill Hall, City Hall and Buitenkant Street.

Cape Town - and other South African cities - have often been described as 'apartheid cities' as the design of urban areas in the past focused on keeping people apart.

Now the challenge is to unite cities, and the effective utilisation of public open spaces is one of doing this. The revitalisation of the Grand Parade is one of the Cape Town Partnership's focus areas.

Also taken into consideration was the fact that people are moving back to the city. The much-vaunted regeneration of the inner city, that started with the Mutual Heights development, means more people are making the city their home.

Also, District Six is being redeveloped and thousands of people are expected to return home once more residential areas in what's become known as the East City Precinct come on line.

The Grand Parade - once the hub of the city - should become so again, stakeholders agreed. They also supported the idea of a 'commemorative centre' and an interactive education centre that would preserve the history and heritage of the Khoisan.

Other ideas mooted were: An open space for celebration with no cars, no transport, full of greenery and water and with permanent structures for traders; a place for everybody. People walking on foot and cycling, with children playing, old people sitting and relaxing and where mothers can rest; a 24-hour space with the activities changing from day-time to evening to night. - Glenda Nevill

* The Homeless World Cup takes place from September 24-30 2006.

^^Mo you is your team taking part? :rofl: :jk:

Well the worlds eyes will be on Germany till the end of the 2006 world cup, while we quietly prepare ours, but as soon as that trophy is given to the winners, the focus will be on US!

^^Mo you is your team taking part? :rofl: :jk:
we tried to get a team together run by some ex WP and RSA rugby players and involve a charity but u cant just go and pick up random people on the side of the road to take part....on top of that rugby players involved in soccer...lol chances..

Kick-off has everybody buzzing!

June 09 2006 at 06:54AM

By Noah Barkin and Jermaine Craig

After many months of intense preparation, a fair amount of national soul-searching, and near-fanatical scrutiny of the home team, the 18th Soccer World Cup kicks off on Friday - not a day too soon for host Germany.

The country is buzzing on the eve of a four-week-long soccer extravaganza that includes 32 teams and 64 matches in 12 stadiums, from Hamburg in the north to Munich in the south.

About 250 000 fans, from Poland to Paraguay, have converged on the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to launch a tournament-long street party - just a taste of the festivities that cities across Germany have lined up.

.......

'A Time to Make Friends'
The orb on the German capital's TV tower has been transformed into a massive pink-and-silver soccer ball.

There is no mistaking it - the World Cup is here and the excitement in Germany is palpable.

Colouring the mounting sense of anticipation, however, is a peculiarly German sort of anxiety.

Will Germany prove a good host? Will the police be able to keep the peace? These are just some of the questions Germans are agonising over.

The slogan German organisers have adopted for the World Cup is "A Time to Make Friends".

'Task is a mammoth one for SA's local organising committee'
Just how friendly the tournament will prove is a subject of intense debate.

Tourism officials have launched a campaign to encourage locals to be nice to the estimated 1,5-million foreign fans that are expected in Germany.

But a survey by pollsters Forsa yesterday showed nearly two in three Germans see a high risk of hooligan violence at the tournament and one in three fear a terrorist attack.

Concerns are also rife that black tourists could be targets for attacks in the depressed former communist east, where far-right groups are active.

Any such violence, officials fear, would tarnish Germany's image on the world stage and deepen lingering divisions between the east and west at a time when the country should be coming together to rally behind its team.

And the absence of German flags in cities and towns across the country this week is a reminder that many Germans remain uncomfortable with displays of nationalistic fervour more than 60 years after the Nazi defeat in World War 2.

As Germany kicks off the 2006 Soccer World Cup against Costa Rica in Munich tonight, Fifa's decision to grant Africa the tournament for the first time in 2010 also comes into sharp focus.

While South Africa is considered "the United States of Africa" on the continent, the World Cup again illustrates just how massive the gap is between South Africa and a European economic powerhouse like Germany.

SA came perilously close to pipping Germany as 2006 hosts, but had it been us kicking off on Friday, chances are there would have been chaos.

Given the scale of the German World Cup, or any World Cup for that matter, it is clear South Africa needs the time to drastically improve its infrastructure before it can even begin to contemplate hosting an event of such magnitude.

Public transport in South Africa will clearly have to be improved.

Germany's transport network is brilliantly efficient and would be the envy of most countries.

And as hundreds of thousands of visitors travel around Germany over the next month, they will do so confident that they will easily get to any destination in good time.

An inter-city express train from Frankfurt to Munich, a smooth ride complete with laptop power points, was scheduled to arrive in Munich at 2.10pm after leaving Frankfurt at 10.20am on Thursday.

It arrived two minutes late - not bad for a nearly four-hour cross-country trip.

Trains back to Frankfurt were scheduled to leave at 5.06pm, 5.27pm, 5.39pm, 6.23pm or 7.10pm - the Germans are that precise.

Johannesburg International Airport currently heaves at the seams with just the prospect of everyday airport traffic.

It will take some co-ordinating when a couple of hundred thousand people from dozens of global destinations descend on Johannesburg International more or less simultaneously.

Every major German city, too, is meticulously layed out, with dozens of open spaces to allow locals and visitors alike to enjoy the World Cup vibe in a conducive, not too cluttered, atmosphere.

Other than perhaps Cape Town's Waterfront, few major cities in South Africa have that kind of capacity, and Johannesburg would do well to get to work on its inner-city Beyers Naudé Square precinct as soon as possible.

The task is a mammoth one for SA's local organising committee, and contrary, perhaps, to popular belief, they don't have that much time if they're going to come even close to matching German efficiency.

2010: Durban kicks off08 June, 2006

City's goal: The demolition of the old Kings Park stadium is in progress, to make way for a new 60 000-seater, R1.6-billion stadium
By Siyabonga Maphumulo
Durban will have to double its efforts in some of its most ambitious projects to be ready in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup – and officials are confident the city can do it.
This follows last week’s confirmation by Danny Jordaan, the Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC), that one of the semi-final games of the tournament would indeed take place in the city.
As one of the nine South African cities that will host World Cup games, Durban will have to construct a Fifa compliant stadium with a seating capacity of 60 000 people under the strictest deadlines.
But City Manager Michael Sutcliffe is confident that all the necessary infrastructure will be in place to welcome the estimated 400 000 soccer fans who will descend on the country for the football spectacle.
“We are well on track with the preparations and are working closely with the other participating cities because this is not just an event for our country but an event for the rest of Africa as well,” he said. Sutcliffe’s sentiments were echoed by Jordaan, who downplayed concerns that some of the stadiums would not be ready in time.
“There are five new stadiums that will be built over the next couple of years in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Nelspruit and Polokwane,” he said.
Some of the new stadiums will host the June 2009 Confederation Cup. Jordaan, who met with Sutcliffe at the 2010 Fifa World Cup Host Cities Forum at Durban’s International Convention Centre, expressed confidence in the city’s ability to host successful sporting events.
Adding weight to this confidence was the resounding success of the recent Kaizer Chiefs versus Orlando Pirates derby in the city. A sum of R1.6-billion has been committed to the construction of the new stadium, which will be built in place of the existing Kings Park stadium.
The completion of the new King Shaka Airport at La Mercy, which will facilitate better transport for tourists, is also expected to give the city a fair slice of the R21-billion in tourism spin-offs that the country will reap. It is predicted that the 2010 World Cup will also have a significant impact on job creation

source: www.durban.gov.za

Every match every goal, every stadium shouts to south africa...south africa are you ready? can you do it?
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/71167065.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6D1A420FB021E03D0591E7EC1A351FC8B

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/71167082.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6967F99D48FE0BED44E9C89C783688B46

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/71167056.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6CE8443B6379953374EF3EA9A178B7582

As for opening ceremonies,not much of a challenge to produce something better than that make shift opening we saw today...

Bid for 2010 Funicular to Signal Hill

Cape Argus (Cape Town)
NEWS
June 9, 2006
Posted to the web June 9, 2006

By John Yeld

Visitors to Cape Town during the 2010 soccer World Cup could enjoy a ride on a new funicular railway to the summit of Signal Hill from a base station at the top of Strand Street.

There they could enjoy the spectacular views over the city, V&A Waterfront, Table Bay and the new stadium complex on Green Point Common before enjoying a meal at a new restaurant built into the hillside that doesn't detract from the familiar outline of Signal Hill.

Or, they could eat at a restaurant at the Lion Battery where the Noon Day Gun is fired, or take a shuttle bus or walk or ride a bicycle along the traffic-free road along the spine of Signal Hill and Lion's Head to meet up with fellow visitors about to take the cableway up Table Mountain.

This vision, proposed four years ago during a development plan for the Signal Hill/Lion's Head, Kloof Nek and Tafelberg Road precincts, is a step closer to reality with an unsolicited bid to construct the funicular being made to the Table Mountain National Park.

This was revealed by park manager Brett Myrdal during an address to the Cape Action for People and the Environment (Cape) conference at Kirstenbosch this week. Cape is a programme that promotes the conservation of fynbos and sustainable development of the region through the wise use of its natural resources.

Speaking about the park's "bold but realistic" business goal of becoming the world's premier urban national park by 2010, Myrdal said one of their principles was that any new tourism-related development would only be done in already impacted areas.

Such a development could include a ground-based funicular system - similar to the existing funicular at Cape Point - that would provide a link between the Waterfront, via the old quarry at the top of Strand Street, to the summit of Signal Hill.

Confirming that the park had received an unsolicited bid to build the funicular, Myrdal said the project would need major investment and require a strong partnership with the government and the public.

He told the Cape Argus that the "optimistic end date" for completing the funicular and other aspects was the 2010 soccer World Cup, but that this would be difficult to achieve.

The bid had been put into the park's evaluation process, "which will inevitably trigger a public tender".

"And, prior to that, we will consolidate a partnership with the city and the province and national (government) for the evaluation of such a tender. But essentially it's opening the way for such an opportunity to take place.

"2010 should be the target, although that's optimistic. It would make a lot of sense to have synergy with the Green Point stadium, if that is going to happen.

"They would work extremely well together, and the planners of the stadium are very interested in this programme. We should do everything possible to strive for that."

Myrdal stressed that the project would not consume any existing ecosystem habitat.

"So we're talking about making good use of an already impacted area."

Funds generated by this project would help to protect natural ecosystems in the park and in other parks elsewhere.

The funicular would definitely be ground-based, he added.

"Not overhead. That's in response to people's perceptions. Clearly, it's not going to work if it's an overhead system.

"And there's also potential for a restaurant at the Lion Battery, offering a view over the city, and for a concealed restaurant on the top of Signal Hill, not breaking the skyline.

"Essentially, it also means you get around the traffic logjam at Kloof Nek and people can access the viewpoint of Signal Hill easily from the city and from the Waterfront. That's what it's about."

The overall proposal includes a "circum-city", traffic-free road along Signal Hill all the way through to Tafelberg Road that would only be used by shuttle buses, cyclists, pedestrians, and runners and hikers.

"This would make the mountain much friendlier to the city," said Myrdal. "That's the idea."

"I think this is the most exciting business opportunity for the national park, because it will bring in income on a very significant scale without damaging the ecosystem, and it also gives us the potential to contribute to the region, which is really important."

Cops training to boost crowd-control skills

June 09 2006 at 09:53AM

By Demian van der Reijden

Red, green and orange smoke blocked visibility as four smoke bombs did their job on a field near the Johannesburg metro police headquarters in Martindale.

When the thick smoke lifted and the sirens stopped, two platoons of metro cops appeared, protected by their plastic shields.

The 32 head-strong anti-riot squad made an impressive entrance in a show of force, as SAPS Superintendent Faizel Ally described it, jumping out of their cars while banging their batons against the shields.

With military precision, a supervisor shouting commands from behind, they changed formation and formed a line of shields with riot cops behind it, like a Roman soldier-style phalanx.

Click Here to visit South Africa's no.1 Online Casino!

Over the past months, metro cops from all parts of South Africa have been trained in crowd control by SAPS supervisors in order to expand the available police forces to handle the expected masses during the upcoming elections in 2009 and the 2010 World Cup.

Up to now, only SAPS officers knew how to manage angry mobs in a controlled way. In December, it was decided that metro cops should also have this capability, Ally explained while two platoons from the Ekurhuleni metro police showed off their new skills.

Johannesburg metro police's Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said city mayor Amos Masondo recently made a budget of R8,1-million available to recruit 4 000 new officers and train existing cops ahead of 2010.

"When it comes to crowd control, it's all about numbers,'' said Johannesburg metro police chief Chris Ngcobo. "By 2010 we want to have at least 1 000 metro cops who have had crowd management training."

Robert McBride, chief of the Ekurhuleni metro police, went even further, saying his goal was to submit all his officers to the two-week training.

The metro police chiefs of six urban areas - Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Durban, Cape Town and Swartland - were invited to see what their new task forces were capable of. Some were even encouraged to play the role of rioters and threw wooden debris at the shielded cops and charged their ranks.

The riot squad demonstrated how they pulled leaders behind their lines to separate them from the crowd and dealt with them in a less volatile spot.

The way the trained cops operated was in line with international standards, said Ally.

talking about world cups and all...

http://static.flickr.com/66/163936936_90612c69da.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/46/153849947_5a1def21b6.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/74/163937455_6a176b3a50.jpg?v=0

wanna host another one in cricket in 2007?

if not then convert that stadium above to this
http://static.flickr.com/48/144225115_d400fad5d0_o.jpg

you have until february next year...oh and while u at it complete the sabina park stadium in jamaica..

"Jamaica could struggle to be ready for the 2007 World Cup next March, as the redevelopment of Sabina Park in Kingston continues to drag on beyond its scheduled completion date."

oh and guyana stadium

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8190/2040/1600/6%208%202006%20guyana%20providence%20stadium%2002.jpg

the date is on the image if u think im lieing..

what happens if they not ready?

That's scary. Wonder if we'd have had a similar situation if we'd got the 2006 world cup.

what happens if they not ready?

I think it comes back here!!!

I think it comes back here!!!
twenty20 world cup and 50 overs world cup in one year and in south africa?

City not 'holey' sure about doughnut stadium

June 11, 2006

By Igsaan Salie

The "doughnut stadium" - this could be the nickname for Cape Town's proposed 2010 soccer World Cup stadium.

The stadium design has not yet been made public but it appears the grandstands and roof will be rounded with a hole in the middle, giving it the doughnut or bagel look.


http://www.education2000.com/demo/demo/bmp/circle07.jpg
http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Content_on_11_7_2004_01_59_25/stad4.jpgaba5ce3e-f661-4403-8517-a22c04e645e1Large.jpg

This has been the basic shape designers have been working with over the past few months. The City of Cape Town expects the first conceptual architectural designs to be presented this week. Green Point has been earmarked as the site but others are being investigated.

Director of the 2010 World Cup for the city, Teral Cullen said that she had no idea what the stadium would look like but added that the project team had been working with a doughnut shape.

The Environmental Impact Assessment and the Business Plan are expected to be completed by the end of June and both fed into the basic stadium and precinct design concept.

Cullen said that the business plan and concept designs would be complete by June 30, along with the study into alternative sites. The Environmental Impact Report will be completed in the first week of July.

When Weekend Argus asked about the name of one of the winning companies - Perlemoen - and whether this was indicative of the proposed shape of the stadium, Cullen said that "the perlemoen is a concept presented on the urban design concept around the stadium. This has been completely revised.


"We hope to present to the public a building that takes cognisance of the stadium's environment. The urban designers have done a large amount of work in addressing this side of the stadium."

Speculation has also surrounded the external appearance with some suspecting that the name perlemoen may have referred to the use of a material that would create a shimmering pearlescent effect, as at the Munich stadium where the World Cup has kicked off.
Cullen denied that there was any truth in this.

"We have thus far not discussed, nor have we considered, the use of the material that provides the shimmering effect of the Munich stadium for the World Cup stadium in Cape Town."

During talks with international soccer body Fifa at the beginning of this year, the city was told that it could be eligible for a semi-final if it built a 68 000-seat capacity stadium instead of hosting matches in the smaller Newlands rugby stadium as originally proposed.

The proposed site for the new stadium has been on the site of, or near the existing Green Point stadium, but due to early indications of objections by the surrounding community the city has also been conducting evaluations and assessments of other possible venues for the structure.
igsaans@incape.co.za

So you telling me they still havent chosen the site???

So you telling me they still havent chosen the site???
its one of those situations where unless they find a huge dinosaur underground at the greenpoint site they are going to use it..the other sites are part of the formalities..

well i hope they find a dinosaur!!! i wld be the first to sign up to the anti greenpoint side! i dont think u realise how much of a detrimental effect the stadium will have on the area, it will be a HUGE NEGATIVE effect

well i hope they find a dinosaur!!! i wld be the first to sign up to the anti greenpoint side! i dont think u realise how much of a detrimental effect the stadium will have on the area, it will be a HUGE NEGATIVE effect
always the positivity bee..:D

this is me being positive. This is me being pro CT!! i have no doubt that if this monster of a stadium is built in Greenpoint it will destroy that part of the Atlantic seaboard (Greenpoint, Moulle Point). Who will want to live with that giant in their backyard?? In the best interests of CT it should be somewhere else for it will over power the area

I simply cannot see why they would not want to use the Wingfield site (proposed for the 2004 Olympics). Too much concentration & happening in the tiny city bowl area. I surely hope Greenpoint will be scrapped...

I simply cannot see why they would not want to use the Wingfield site (proposed for the 2004 Olympics). Too much concentration & happening in the tiny city bowl area. I surely hope Greenpoint will be scrapped...
the almost strange success of canal walk and century city should be enough reason to really spread development into that area, and create almost a link to the cbd....and plus id be like?....3 mins by car from there or i could do the public transport thing which would be an experience in itself...the whole thing could be tied into canal walk via tunnels and bridges across the N1 and large open areas could result in more space for other sports arenas...

GREENPOINT

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7734/gp19rd.jpg
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9067/gp27nm.jpg

WINGFIELD

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/5040/ws50uh.jpg
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1053/ws35er.jpg
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/8400/ws45ta.jpg
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/7760/ws28xq.jpg
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5747/ws13ov.jpg

Not being negative or anything. but the stadium situated at greenpoint looks nice, with the sea in the back drop.

We need to look at entertainment for fans between the 2010 matches
June 12, 2006

For a major event like the soccer World Cup it's always important that the opening ceremony and the opening match goes off without a hitch.

That's been the case in Germany and it augurs well for a successful event.

What has struck me is that the advantage the Germans have is that they are right in the centre of Europe and this makes it very easy for people to get there.

I've met people from Holland and France, who will come to World Cup games and then return home, before coming back for the next game. It makes for huge numbers of people who are coming to soak up the World Cup atmosphere.

On the streets of Frankfurt, the morning after the England victory, there were still thousands of people having a coffee or beer, discussing the match and basking in the World Cup spirit.

And as the English fans left the city and headed for Nuremberg where they play next, you got to see the fans from Iran and Mexico coming into Frankfurt and creating a different environment.

In South Africa our situation will be different to that of Germany, as it's a 10-hour flight from Europe and also the distances between venues is longer.

The key question is what do you do between matches?

We will have to closely look at our match schedule to allow fans to stay as close to match venues as possible.

We will also need co-ordinated tourism plans to enable fans to go to game farms, wine farms and beaches.


There are so many things we can offer and we will need to devise plans to make it attractive for fans to come and enjoy watching their teams and also to enjoy our country.

There is an expansion programme underway to renovate the Johannesburg International Airport, which will be our main transport hub.

We will also, however, need to ensure Durban and Cape Town take the pressure off Johannesburg.

At the 2006 World Cup I have noticed a high number of Brazilian and Japanese fans travelling to Germany to support Brazil.

The Brazilians are probably the only country who can say they're truly an international brand.

They are the team for the supporters of the teams who didn't qualify for the World Cup.

They are a special case and we will have to plan well for them.

I noted Pele's comments about him being concerned that South Africa will run out of money to build stadiums.

I am sure he was not well-informed.

The fact is that our economy is the best it's ever been and the last thing we will run out of is money.

Once Pele gets the correct information I am sure he will understand that whatever information he has based his views on is incorrect.

But I am meeting with him in Germany and I will speak to him about it.

From Danny Jordaan himself....

--------------------

Steps along the road to 2010

Danny Jordaan: COMMENT

09 June 2006 09:59

The 2010 Fifa World Cup is a prestigious and much anticipated international sporting event. South Africa has been granted the opportunity to host this event in nine cities and 10 stadia across the country.

This has generated much speculation among the South African public. The talk runs along the lines of what can be expected in the lead-up to and during 2010. Will South Africa be able to successfully organise and stage such a mega-event? More importantly, how will this world event benefit South Africans?

The proof of success will ultimately lie in the event itself, but the sound basis from which the event is planned is crucial.

The initial support received has been overwhelming. The lead times are tight but this would be the case for any event of this scale. All preparations thus far are ahead of the deadlines.

For example, the host cities and match venues have been selected and approved by Fifa a year in advance of the due date. Importantly, the host cities have shown their commitment to the process through the signature of the host-city agreements. Each agreement outlines the proposed mechanism for engagement between the host cities, the local organising committee and Fifa. Coordination is crucial among the role players.

The host city is the direct face of the event and as such there is much emphasis on the benefits that will accrue to the metropoles. The exchange of ideas for ensuring a viable host city are numerous -- mostly through the global television exposure for the region -- as well as other marketing and merchandising benefits, and through the indirect benefits of tourism spending.

The achievement of these benefits will be facilitated by the integration of the existing plans (such as for transport and infrastructure) of the host cities with the readiness requirements for hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup. This event will simply be the impetus for fast-tracking current plans and policies. The accelerated time periods are all achievable and will ultimately establish a sound foundation for South Africa to market itself as an international destination for tourists, trade and investment.

The fast-track development requirements will have the added benefit of creating a foundation for additional employment opportunities. One process under way is the transportation plans for the host cities. In January 2005 the Department of Transport issued a policy document outlining the synergies with existing transportation plans and the proposed way forward in expediting all obligations.

More recently, the Department of Communications announced that the media requirements for the World Cup would be scrutinised in greater detail to prepare the communications infrastructure. The local organising committee’s activities must therefore dovetail with those of the government and other role players in the broadcast of the World Cup. The SABC has agreed that there will be testing of the broadcast infrastructure, and this is expected to occur shortly

The stadium construction process will be the next key challenge. The stadium authorities are all well aware of the time requirements for construction, and the preparation of construction plans is under way.

The time spent on planning is fundamental and we believe that with this in place there will be clear direction for 2010 and all the attendant requirements. We envisage that the planning phase will be completed by September of this year. The funding requirements for stadium construction have been canvassed with the role players, and the government has agreed to allocate certain funds to construction costs. The government will necessarily require the assurance that the funds are appropriately distributed and the outcome of the planning phase will further assist in any assessment.

The government is committed to assisting with the organisation of the World Cup in terms of the guarantees issued in favour of Fifa. The allocation of construction costs by the government reinforces this position.

Having due regard to the inherent complexities associated with the construction process, the local organising committee has and will continue to proactively engage with the stadium authorities and the host cities. Regular interactions are vital to ensure that the processes are all streamlined. We believe that we are well on the way to achieve this and have arranged a number of workshops where the issues pertaining to construction obligations and funding have been canvassed. The host cities will also be sending delegations to the 2006 Fifa World Cup to gather information and experience.

Ultimately, a positive approach must be taken in the organisation of an event such as the World Cup. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed and there are no second chances. Therefore, while there are going to be times when there are taxing challenges, we must stand strong. We have all committed to this process, and the positive aspects of using 2010 as another change agent for South Africa must be harnessed. It is this attitude that must be fostered, and we believe that we are well on track to achieving our goals.

Danny Jordaan is CEO of the 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa organising committee

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=274107&area=/insight/insight__comment_and_analysis/

By Rebecca Harrison

SOWETO, South Africa (Reuters) - Horns blare, fans sing and grind their hips and the aroma of grilled chicken feet wafts through the stadium. Soccer matches in South Africa are never dull.

But faced with TV image of majestic stadiums and water-tight security from this year's World Cup in Germany, South Africans are wondering whether they can pull off a similar feat when they become the first African country to host the event in 2010.

"Those stadium in Germany, they are so big and nice," said Sibusiso Radebe, a 21-year-old soccer fan from Soweto, South African's biggest township.

"We don't want it to fail, we want it to be perfect, but we're going to have to get moving quick."

Africa's richest country boasts good roads, fervent soccer fans, expansive scenery and the feel-good factor of a young democracy.

But its cities are snarled with traffic, crime levels are among the world's worst and it is plagued by a deepening power crisis that has hit top tourist city Cape Town the hardest.

A visit to the FNB stadium in Soweto, the symbolic heart of South African soccer, illustrates the magnitude of the task at hand if South Africa is to host the World Cup in style.

In Frankfurt, trains, trams and buses all operating like clockwork whisk fans to and from the Waldstadion stadium.

In Soweto, transport is by park-and-ride, car or overcrowded minibus taxis. Parking is on adjacent scrubland, marshalled by locals hoping to make extra cash, and leaving the ground can take hours, with traffic jams long and collisions frequent.

When fans arrived for this year's opening match in Munich, they had to show personalised tickets before clearing two rounds of security, while extra police patrolled the stadium.

At the FNB stadium in Soweto, which is only half finished after initial funds ran dry, hundreds of ticketless fans regularly circumvent ticket marshals simply by turning up early and hard alcohol and marijuana is readily available.

Peckish after a game, spectators in Berlin might retire to myriad street cafes and restaurants. Fans in Soweto choose between scores of makeshift stalls at the foot of a giant slag heap that sell barbequed chicken feet and dumplings.

TOUGH TASK

Officials insist all that will change, and plans for a 'Soccer City' complex in Soweto are afoot.

Danny Jordaan, who heads South Africa's 2010 World Cup Organising Committee, said this week preparations -- which include upgrading stadiums and building a new rail system -- were ahead of schedule.

His communications manager, Tumi Makgabo, says South Africa can learn from Germany but would also strive to create an authentic local experience.

"It's unavoidable that people will compare us with Germany," said Makgabo. "But am I worried we won't put on a great event? Of course not."

Others are not so confident. Construction of a new stadium in Cape Town has stalled due to wrangling over exactly where it should go. And delays over a multi-billion rand high-speed train project meant to link Johannesburg to its airport have raised fears it may not be ready in time for the tournament.

"It appears Germany will host a World Cup that will run with the precision of a Swiss watch," wrote columnist Matshelane Mamabola in the Cape Argus newspaper. "We are going to have to quickly learn to do things the right way."

For many fans, the biggest challenge is on the pitch.

South Africa's national soccer team failed to qualify for the 2006 tournament and crashed out of African Nations Cup this year without scoring a single goal.

"We will get things ready in time, but what about our team?" asked Menzi Nyawo, an unemployed Sowetan who was wiling away a morning near the FNB stadium. "They are not playing good football. We won't last long."

Stadiums to be renamed in 2010
13/06/2006 10:30 - (SA)
Gert Coetzee, Die Burger, Die Burger

Cape Town - Newlands, Loftus Versveld, Ellis Park, the FNB stadium, King's Park and Vodacom Park (in Bloemfontein), will all be renamed and receive new advertising boards for the duration of the World Cup soccer tournament in 2010.

This will also be the case for the Confederation Cup tournament in 2009, which would act as a practice run for the World Cup in 2010, according to an agreement between South Africa and the World Football Association (Fifa).

This was made known by the government team at a meeting with the parliamentary portfolio committee for sport and recreation.

Possible hiccups were also discussed around the Special Regulations for 2010's Fifa World Cup Tournament Act, which would enable the logistical execution of government guarantees for the tournament.

The draft act was back on track for parliamentary ratification at the end of next month, after the portfolio committee had requested that the sport and recreation ministry and relevant heads of department clarify certain aspects to it and government advisors.

The committee was concerned that it would be expected to rubber stamp "poor legislation". It was also concerned that late contributions by the Rainbow Development Company, as representative of the broad public sector, and from the department of provincial and local government on behalf of host cities, could lead to later amendments.

Gert Oosthuizen, deputy minister of sport and recreation, and Dr Joe Phaahla, World Cup 2010 government co-ordinator, put to rest these fears.

Oosthuizen said all national and provincial departments and the South African Sport Commission and Olympic Committee (Sacoc) were consulted during the "dynamic legislative process" that started 17 months ago.

According to Phaahla, host cities were encouraged to sort out their concerns about financing, broadcast and information technology issues and legal responsibilities relating to their "open contract" with Fifa at a later stage.

These cities wanted to be protected against certain levies and later claims.

The exclusive right of Fifa and its official sponsors for marketing and selling their products will also be limited to within one kilometre of the stadiums.

Fifa and host stadiums must in their individual contracts come to an agreement about World Cup 2010 stadium intake, compensation of existing sponsors, removal costs and the prevention of illegal marketing.

Oosthuizen said this meant in lay terms that the advertising boards of Castle, SA Breweries, Pepsi, BMW, SAA, Absa and FNB would be replaced by those of the United Arab Emirates Airways, Mastercard, Budweiser, Hyundai and other Fifa sponsors.

"This has nothing to do with the sale of springbok biltong and boerewors. World Cup 2010 remains a golden opportunity for South Africa and its people to make money (at approved venues).

"The government negotiated ten stadiums instead of eight in order to establish a long-term World Cup 2010 inheritance," said Oosthuizen.

City faces long wait to see World Cup stadium design

June 14, 2006

By John Yeld

Capetonians are going to have to wait at least two more weeks for their first glimpse of the design concept for the planned new 2010 World Cup stadium at Green Point.

The design was to have been unveiled at a public meeting scheduled for Monday, as part of the statutory environmental impact assessment process - the second such meeting to be held.

But that meeting has now been postponed more than three weeks to July 12.

Because visual impact is one of the areas in the EIA process that requires specialist study, the design must be finalised before the draft EIA report can be completed and released for public comment.

Teral Cullen, director of the city's 2010 World Cup office, said yesterday that they were still hoping the draft report would be finalised within two weeks.

But if this report was not ready, the only way the public would get an earlier glimpse of the stadium design before the July 12 meeting was if politicians in charge of the process agreed to make public the business plan being developed for the stadium.

Cullen, who says she is quite happy with progress, said the delays were the result of efforts by the planning team to ensure information in the business plan was top quality.

They were running many processes in parallel, one of which was to develop the business plan to ensure the long-term financial viability of the stadium.

"We had a long session (about the business plan) and we have now decided on the multi-functionality of the stadium," Cullen said.


"People need to understand our vision for the stadium - we want to produce a building that has life 365 days a year.

"It must be able to host events that the Cape Town Convention Centre can't, so we've needed to make decisions on what sporting facilities needed to be inside the stadium and what outside, and that then has to be fed through to the architects.With the inclusion of a retractable roof, this translates to a dramatic and unobstructed open area of exhibition space."

The designers were "nowhere near" getting to the level of detail of colours and finishes on the stadium, she pointed out.

"The setting tells you that this building has to speak to its environment, but before you can get to the detailed planning, you need to define what goes in - is it a pitch only, or also an athletics track?

"We've been told that it is the 'atmosphere' that makes a stadium tick - how do you sustain that (atmosphere)?"

Some international-class stadiums were used exclusively by a single club as their home venue, but the vision for the Green Point stadium was completely different, Cullen said.

"Ours will have a very different life and a different purpose."

She was "relatively happy" that they could meet the month-end deadline for completion of the EIA report, but it was more important to ensure the information for the business plan and EIA was accurate and complete.

jyeld@incape.co.za

Okay, this is DEFINITELY happening (on Thurs, not Wed as I originally thought). Glad to see that Durban has its act together. With all the negative press about the CT stadium and what a logistic nightmare matches at the FNB will be, SA needs some good news.

This off the eThekweni website...

---------------------

New Stadium Design Unveiling
14 June, 2006

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, the Honorable Mr Sbu Ndebele and eThekwini Mayor His Worship Councillor Obed Mlaba invite editors and journalists to the unveiling of the design for the new stadium to be built at King's Park as part of eThekwini's preparations as a host city for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The unveiling and a briefing will be held at the International Convention Centre, Hall 1AB on Thursday, June 15 2006 at 7.30 am for 8am.
A continental breakfast will be served.

Please RSVP to Vasantha Angamuthu on 031 311 2386, fax 031 306 4603 or email angamuthuv@durban.gov.za by 4pm Wednesday, June 14.

--------------------

Some of the above press articles are so negative. I hope we prove these doomsayers wrong.

^^ you know what, durban needs to take the lead for once and for all!

Yeah, brother!!

yeah why not just have the final in durban too...

now u thinking clearly mo

now u thinking clearly mo
chances are though?...

7 hours to go....before the dramatic stadium reveal...u guys waited a long time for this..hope u like it..

Transnet ups spend to R65bn
14/06/2006 13:31 PM
Cape Town - Transnet, South Africa's state-owned transport group, will spend R65bn on upgrading ports, rail and pipelines over the next five years, the government said on Wednesday.

This was R28bn higher than the company's initial 2004 estimate for infrastructure spending, documents submitted to parliament's public enterprises committee show.

The capital expenditure forms part of a broader plan to pour almost R200bn into infrastructure to help lift economic growth to 6% a year by 2010.

Litha Mewabeni, deputy director-general of the department of public enterprises, said South Africa could reach the 6% target if state-owned companies like Transnet stuck to their spending targets.

"Failure to roll-out the capex programme efficiently could result in infrastructure bottlenecks that will inhibit investment and thus growth," he told legislators.

The department said Transnet would spend R21.5bn on upgrading its rail infrastructure and operations, R25bn to expand ports and R5bn on an oil pipeline.

Electricity utility Eskom planned to invest R97bn over five years on strengthening the national power grid as demand for energy fast approaches existing 37 500 megawatt capacity.

The company would spend R65.5bn on new plants and refurbishing old facilities, R11bn on transmission lines and R15.5bn on energy distribution, it said.

Damn I got the news at 3 yesterday, they invited our company to the unviel, but we too busy to go have breakfast :crazy: Bloody forums were down so couldnt post anything! :gaah:

So who's going for breakfast? should be starting at 8,

7 hours to go....before the dramatic stadium reveal...u guys waited a long time for this..hope u like it..
20 buks says Mo didnt see the design :booze:

i might raise u on that!!

You on! Anyone's seen it? They ounced in the news that they did unviel it, so whos got pics? Dys u said your dad was going? I cant wait for the paper :gaah:

Okay, I got up *really* early (yawn) here in Toronto to see / read about the stadium. Where is it Durban folks?? Anything; something??

OMIGOD!!!!!! I just got something!! This sounds AMAZING!!!!!

Giles, does this count as a new skyscraper???? I can't see any other stadium topping this, well not in SA anyway! WOW!!!!!!! ......

-------------------------

Durban unveils plans for R1,6bn World Cup stadium
Sapa

PLANS for a new stadium, which will host one of the 2010 Football World Cup semi-final matches, were unveiled in Durban today.

Named after King Shaka’s father, the King Senzangakhona Stadium will cost R1,6bn to build and will seat a crowd of up to 80 000 soccer fans.

The stadium will be built next to the existing Absa Stadium, home of the rugby Sharks.

The new stadium will boast a 30-storey arch stretching across its entire length and will have underground parking for 10 000 cars.

The stadium, which is expected to be completed by December 2008, will also have an athletics track around the pitch.

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/sports.aspx?ID=BD4A216897

huh this is odd, cant believe I'm the first guy to post the picture?

The new Senzangakhona sport stadium unveiled

15 June, 2006

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4125/stadium2sd.jpg
FUTURISTIC: 2010 and beyond - the new Senzangakhone stadium will be a world-class multi-purpose sporting facility

The new Senzangakhona Stadium, unveiled this morning at Durban's ICC by KwaZulu-Natal's Premier Sbu Ndebele and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Obed Mlaba, will be a world-class stadium.

The new stadium will be built on the site of the existing King's Park stadium and has been designed as a first-class multi-purpose sporting facility.

The project has been awarded to the Ibhola Lethu consortium.

Projected capital expenditure on construction of the stadium is R1,6 billion, making it the most ambitious construction project undertaken in South Africa to date.

The stadium will be built to comply with international safety and security standards.

Senzangakhona stadium key features
The stadium will have a seating capacity for 70 000 people.
The arches will be 100m high.
The stadium will cover 320 x 280 square metres and will be 45m in height.
Important milestones
Physical demolition of the existing stadium will take place end June.
Building construction will begin towards the end of the year.

Source:www.durban.gov.za

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go Durban!!!!

I LOVE IT!!! :colgate: :carrot:

20 buks says Mo didnt see the design :booze:
glad u guys love the stadium

"with each stadium you have the potential to create the next wembley or allianz arena at the same time"

is ur new stadium wembleyish enough durbsboi....allianz arena in reference to the doughnut cape town stadium...

Magnificent!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :cucumber: :cucumber: :cucumber:

huh this is odd, cant believe I'm the first guy to post the picture?

The new Senzangakhona sport stadium unveiled

15 June, 2006

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4125/stadium2sd.jpg
FUTURISTIC: 2010 and beyond - the new Senzangakhone stadium will be a world-class multi-purpose sporting facility

The new Senzangakhona Stadium, unveiled this morning at Durban's ICC by KwaZulu-Natal's Premier Sbu Ndebele and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Obed Mlaba, will be a world-class stadium.

The new stadium will be built on the site of the existing King's Park stadium and has been designed as a first-class multi-purpose sporting facility.

The project has been awarded to the Ibhola Lethu consortium.

Projected capital expenditure on construction of the stadium is R1,6 billion, making it the most ambitious construction project undertaken in South Africa to date.

The stadium will be built to comply with international safety and security standards.

Senzangakhona stadium key features
The stadium will have a seating capacity for 70 000 people.
The arches will be 100m high.
The stadium will cover 320 x 280 square metres and will be 45m in height.
Important milestones
Physical demolition of the existing stadium will take place end June.
Building construction will begin towards the end of the year.

Source:www.durban.gov.za
SSC was not online..the article was out early this morning..i went back to bed woke up at 1pm...the arch is 33m lower than wembley stadium arch...the only problem i had with it before the reveal..i think it shudda been 150m to spite the UK peoples...however the athens olympic stadium arches only have a height 72m...

Okay, I may sound biased but I checked out renders of the new Wembley stadium and Durban's looks better! Although they are about the same capacity (Durban max capacity 100, 000 seater, according to the tender invite document vs. Wembley 90, 000 seater), height (Wembley - 133 m vs. Durban 100m), Wembley has a single arch to side of the stadium, Durban's has a double arch, perfectly symmetrical.

For those who want to see what Durban's could look like from ground level, air, and from inside, based on Wembley's renders, check out:

http://www.wembleystadium.com/pressbox/presspack/images/default.htm

To get an idea of the mind-boggling statistics and logistics behind the Durban stadium, check out Wembley's. Both are similar so I'm supposing the stats will be similar.

http://www.wembleystadium.com/brilliantfuture/learningResources/


Incredible!!!

I can just imagine the fireworks display from the arches (ala Athens). Heck, the opening ceremony has to be in Durbs based on this alone!!

glad u guys love the stadium

"with each stadium you have the potential to create the next wembley or allianz arena at the same time"

is ur new stadium wembleyish enough durbsboi....allianz arena in reference to the doughnut cape town stadium...
Still doesnt prove anything ;)

Still doesnt prove anything ;)
well im not going out of my way to prove anything..it doesnt mean much that i had a glimpse of the concept before the "reveal" important point is u like the stadium...

and romanSA if durbs can convince fifa/sepp blatter the opening has to be in durban then im sure durban will host the opening...seems like fifa has the final say in this..

SSC was not online..the article was out early this morning..i went back to bed woke up at 1pm...the arch is 33m lower than wembley stadium arch...the only problem i had with it before the reveal..i think it shudda been 150m to spite the UK peoples...however the athens olympic stadium arches only have a height 72m...

Yes, the damn site was down so I couldn't post anything for over an hr (not that I know how to post pics yet anyway!).

Anyway Mo, not that people don't have a right to post anything they want whenever they want, but I think it's only most appropriate that the new Durbs stadium got posted by a passionate Durbanite. Same with CT stadium. YOU *should* be the one to post it based on your passion for CT.

Way to go Durbsboi and thanks for posting!

Yes, the damn site was down so I couldn't post anything for over an hr (not that I know how to post pics yet anyway!).

Anyway Mo, not that people don't have a right to post anything they want whenever they want, but I think it's only most appropriate that the new Durbs stadium got posted by a passionate Durbanite. Same with CT stadium. YOU *should* be the one to post it based on your passion for CT.

Way to go Durbsboi and thanks for posting!
true..SSC was down until a few hours ago...i made lunch and came back and a few things regarding the stadium were there...i would like a higher resolution version of the stadium though...i have emailed someone though so we'll see...

FANTASTIC BOYS!!!

Saw it in the paper, rushed over to see if someoen had found a better pic...think we need a thread for this stadium alone, or it will clog up the 2010 thread...anyone gonna make one?

Mayor's speech (at least 10 new hotels coming our way)

-----------------

STATEMENT FROM HIS WORSHIP MAYOR
OBED MLABA ON THE OCCASION OF THE
UNVEILING OF THE NEW STADIUM FOR DURBAN
15 JUNE 2006

“If this can be termed the century of the common man, then soccer, of all sports, is surely his game.... So said Stanley Rous in 1952. f I may be permitted to update his quote ... “In a world haunted by poverty, Aids and war, the football field is a place where sanity and hope are still left unmolested.”
The beautiful game, ladies and gentlemen, is why we are here today. Here, in eThekwini, we like to say that we are South Africa’s home of soccer because we are passionate about watching, cheering and especially hosting the game. With today’s unveiling of the design of the new King Senzangakhona Stadium, named after King Shaka’s father, the City of Durban today signals that we are ready, willing, geared up and getting kitted out for 2010.
We know that we will be hosting a semi-final and I believe eThekwini should be hosting the final. We have the biggest soccer fan-base in the country, the best accommodation facilities, wonderful leisure and recreation facilities; security that has been tried and tested with international heads of state like the NAM conference and the Racism Conference; and now, of course, a great new stadium.
Durban is certainly no stranger to hosting international sporting events and because we have a well-run local government with excellent relationships with the private sector, we are ideally placed to play a major role in South Africa’s 2010 World Cup programme. Just look at the resounding success of the recent Kaizer Chiefs versus Orlando Pirates derby in the city.
Our 2010 planning falls firmly within our vision of asserting this City as Africa’s best sporting, leisure, arts and culture destination. When combined with our rich cultural, historical and political legacy we have all the ingredients for our “2010 and Beyond” strategy to place us at the forefront of sport, art and heritage.
The strategy focuses on ensuring we attract world class events to our city and province, events which reinforce our passion for sport, art and culture, whilst maximizing tourism benefits and ensuring we have world-class facilities. We have done it before. We hosted Bafana-England and are seen as the home for Bafana. We have hosted major rugby, cricket and other sporting events. Our ICC remains the best in Africa and its expansion into an entertainment arena this year will bring new benefits. The hosting of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race continues to bring us accolades and the recent hosting of the A1 Grand Prix has become one of Africa’s most talked about sporting events.
In the next three years we will host events such as A1 Grand Prix, Clipper Round the world Yacht race, African Motor Car Rally followed by World Rally Championships, World Veterans Tennis, World Cycling, World Beach Soccer Series, FINA Swimming, Dusi Canoe Race, Comrades Marathon, Tour d’Urban, Amashovashova cycling race, and so on.
What this all means for the people of eThekwini is increased job opportunities and increased economic growth, two of the key issues we are focused on in the municipality’s strategy for eThekwini.
Durban's strengths include plenty of suitable accommodation: three and five star hotels here have a total of 8 000 beds within 10 minutes of the main grounds. And by 2010, 10 new hotels would be built.
Durban is the only city in Africa with a fibre optic cable network; it has an extensive cellphone network; and a strong banking sector. Its transport system is on a par with the best. An estimated 5 000 people a day pass through Durban International Airport. In addition to its existing roads, 14000km of local and 1 300km of freeways were being upgraded, while the city's public transport system (taxis, buses, minibuses and a planned people mover within the city centre) had the capacity to carry fans to the venues. An integrated transport plan has been submitted to the Treasury for a major upgrade of transport facilities, and will be fast-tracked for the World Cup 2010.
The cherry on top of all this, ladies and gentlemen is our new stadium. I invite you, our partners and especially the media to get on board with us in this exciting adventure that is our preparation for 2010 and to say, with us, that we are ready and we are willing and we are waiting with all hands on deck for 2010.
Thank you

http://www.durban.gov.za/eThekwini/Council/mayor/speeches/stadium

FANTASTIC BOYS!!!

Saw it in the paper, rushed over to see if someoen had found a better pic...think we need a thread for this stadium alone, or it will clog up the 2010 thread...anyone gonna make one?

If anyone should do it, it should be you, mate.

^^ aahh thanx, but Durbsboi did all the succesfull finding...well he has ben credited!! All this FANTASTIC news in one day is TOO much. First the massive ICC development and now this!!

The stadium looks amazing!!
I am in no doubt that the logistics around the actual tournament(Stadia, Team Logisitics, Broadcasting etc) will be first rate,
The peripheral activities that the Germans are managing: Parks with TV screens, music festivals, temporary campsites with ablution facilities, multi lingual guides/stewards... etc, are the things that the 2010 organisers should also focus on, as in the minds of supporters will raise the verdict from good to great...

^^ aahh thanx, but Durbsboi did all the succesfull finding...well he has ben credited!! All this FANTASTIC news in one day is TOO much. First the massive ICC development and now this!!
finding? u mean what was on the durban.gov.za website ???

PE‘s 2010 stadium: Concern grows

By Sipho Masondo

IT IS highly unlikely that Nelson Mandela Bay‘s proposed 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium will be complete by the 2008 deadline stipulated by Fifa, architectural and engineering experts said yesterday.

The football governing body will be in South Africa in June 2008 to check that all stadiums have been built according to their standards and specifications, and to see if everything is on course for the 2010 World Cup. All stadium construction or refurbishment is supposed be completed by then.

Other cities which require new stadiums are Cape Town, Polokwane and Mbombela in Mpumalanga.

“I will be very surprised if we finish – even if we start tomorrow,” said Frikkie Fourie of Fourie van der Wolf Architects in Cape Town. “Two years is a very short period, even with the right contractors with the right logistics.

“Three years will be much better.”

Of the R711-million stadium to be built in Port Elizabeth‘s North End, he said: “If they start building today, they will have to spend about R29,9-million a month, and that‘s very difficult to spend, even for the biggest contractors in South Africa.”

WBHO engineer Andy Hayes said: “It will be extremely tight to build in two years. The size of the project is just too big. The actual construction will take three to four years. That excludes giving out tenders and all the other logistics.”

A senior Murray and Roberts engineer, who did not want to be named, said: “I don‘t believe that two years is enough. Super stadiums like the ones in Germany are technically challenging and take time.”

Wits University construction and technology lecturer John AppiahBaiden said: “Three years is the minimum, and that‘s if planning has already been done. For two years to be enough, they will have to put in extra effort.

“They need capacity in order to deliver in a short space of time. They have to recruit a lot of people, even from outside South Africa.”

Only Professor Kobus van Wyk, head of the faculty of engineering, built environment and information technology at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, was optimistic that the stadium would be completed on time.

“Otherwise we wouldn‘t have been awarded the World Cup. We have internationally rated civil engineers and construction managers,” he said.

Last November, Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile told the National Assembly that construction of 2010 Soccer World Cup stadiums would have to start on March 1, 2006, if the facilities were to be completed and test trials conducted ahead of the final Fifa inspection in June 2008.

And while the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality said yesterday it expected to receive funding from government “very soon” and planned to start construction next month, the national treasury said the money would not be released until “September or October”.

Mandela Bay municipal spokesman Roland Williams yesterday maintained that the city‘s stadium would be ready for the Fifa inspection in 2008.

“We are more than ready to start construction. We have been ready since March. We are confident that construction will start by mid-July,” he said.

The municipality was due to receive the initial funds from the national government “very soon”, he said.

Other examples of World Cup stadiums which took more than two years to complete are the Munich stadium in Germany, which took almost three years, and the Berlin Olympic Stadium, also in Germany, which took four years to be redesigned.

The Seoul Stadium, which hosted the 2002 World Cup in South Korea, took three years to complete. It also took three years to give the Frankfurt Stadium, also in Germany, a facelift.

World Cup 2010 unit head at national treasury Malcolm Simpson said the construction of stadiums would not start before September or October.

This was because of legislative budgetary processes the treasury needed to adhere to before issuing funds for construction.

About R241-million for planning and preparation of business plans was being issued to municipalities, he said.

But of the R3-billion earmarked for construction nationally, he said, “the finance minister must still present the medium-term budget policy statement for the next three years in Parliament.

“That will be sometime in September, towards October. Funds can‘t be released until this is done.”

He said the Bay was far advanced in its planning and that its business plan was due to be presented for review shortly.
Next

hmmm...PE not sounding good...whats happening with Nelspruit? Bloem? Ellis Park? Loftus? We all know about Durban and CT, but everything else is silent...

hmmm...PE not sounding good...whats happening with Nelspruit? Bloem? Ellis Park? Loftus? We all know about Durban and CT, but everything else is silent...
Ill get some info together soon

These are old but they are the results from the tenders for the cape town stadium

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2397/stadiumresults6ra.jpg

Each group of course consisted of local and international architechts and planners e.g. one group included the designer of the wembley arch concept and koreans along with a strong local group

Vodacom Park

Vodacom Park is the home base of Free Sate Rugby and the Vodacom Cheetahs. This stadium and the related infrastructure ranks amongst the most sophisticated in South African sport.

The stadium is well located in the Bloemfontein sports precinct, which includes independent stadiums for cricket, hockey, athletics and swimming within a one-kilometer radius. In addition, Vodacom Park is scheduled for upgrading in 2007 for the World Cup 2010 soccer event.

1.


Stadium size


§ 37 076 seat stadium

§ 16 914 seats under cover

§ Capacity will increase to 52,000 all seater by 2007, in preparation for World Cup Soccer 2010

§ Rated by the FIFA inspection team in 2004 as one of the best in South Africa (“safety, easy accessibility, atmosphere of the stadium, quality of the pitch and facilities”)

§ Certified as an international rugby and soccer stadium by the relevant authorities


http://www.fscheetahs.co.za/Gallery/Stadium/stadiumtop.gif

http://www.fscheetahs.co.za/Gallery/Stadium/stadium2.gif

http://www.fscheetahs.co.za/Gallery/Stadium/stadium.gif

The real reason behind the battle to fill VIP seats in Cologne

June 14, 2006 Edition 3

Jermaine Craig

Cologne: "There are 45 000 fans here tonight. The stadium is sold out," the Cologne stadium announcer said proudly over the loudspeakers just before Angola and Portugal kicked off Cologne's first game of Germany 2006.

The stadium wasn't quite sold out, however. Noticeably, there were still quite a few plush red leather seats vacant in the stadium's VIP area.

Empty seats in the VIP box at a World Cup match? Do the Germans not have any fat cats, with large entourages and a bevy of beefy bodyguards?

Apparently not.

The Germany 2006 Local Organising Committee battled to fill the VIP section for the Portugal-Angola game on Sunday as the ethical German politicians turned down committee offers for complimentary tickets one after the other.

"The German LOC couldn't get a politician to take a ticket.They have a €40 limit on gifts they're allowed to accept and a VIP ticket for a World Cup match is easily worth around €150 (about R1 200), so German politicians are afraid they'll get creamed by the public if they accept a complimentary ticket," explained Dennis Mumble, a member of the SA 2010 Local Organising Committee and also the manager of the Soccer City Stadium that will host the 2010 World Cup final.

Mumble is the assistant general co-ordinator for Fifa at the Cologne venue and the German politicians' disciplined stance came as a shock to a man who is used to outrageous demands from South African politicians for dozens of VIP tickets for games at Soccer City.

"It's a good example for our politicians and public figures back home. At the end of the day we need to keep ourselves honest. If you get a gift here and there, or free tickets, where does it stop?" said Mumble. For a man who will over the next four years have the task of making Soccer City the football mecca every World Cup final venue should be, working with Fifa and the German committee has been an eye-opener and a richly rewarding experience for Mumble.

In the hours before Angola and Portugal kicked off their match on Sunday, there were no flustered, panicked faces from the organisers.

Everyone was calm, professional and focused on the task at hand, with the game being handled without the slightest of hitches.

"It's been a really good experience for me. A football match is a football match and I've done so many international matches in the past. But the things that go on behind the scenes at a World Cup match, as well as the commercial aspects, are incredible. The experience of working with 100% professionals from different parts of the world in putting an event like this together, doing work of the highest quality, is just a dream for me. Even behind the scenes things have gone smoothly, that's always a good thing. We rehearsed for hours before the first game and just three hours before the game we were still fine-tuning things, to make sure everything was in order," said Mumble.

He said in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup about 350 Fifa representatives would work hand in hand with about the same number of Local Organising Committee representatives in South Africa.

And Mumble said it would always be worth bearing in mind that a soccer World Cup is Fifa's event and that Fifa officials have been there, done that and got the World Cup T-shirt time and again.

"Fifa has the experience of 17 World Cups and that shows in the systems and procedures that are in place here in Germany. Whatever happens, first and foremost we must all understand - even us in the LOC - that the World Cup belongs to Fifa. The LOC in Germany has prepared for this event for the last six years and work together with Fifa to ensure things are delivered as they should be. The practical systems Fifa have put in place work like a charm. They've been tested time and again and proven to work," said Mumble.

With one of the most demanding jobs ahead of him over the next four years, Mumble has been hard at work compiling a dossier for the engineers and architects who will work on the design of Soccer City, incorporating the best aspects of all the German World Cup stadiums.

Just like Berlin will be here on July 9, Soccer City will be the World Cup showstopper in 2010 and it is Mumble's job to ensure it's the most spectacular football stadium South Africa's ever seen.
E-mail this article Print this article

Well i hope that Soccer City can be a show stopper, but why does it not let the public know whats going on? Only Durban and CT seem to have a PR dept that is informing people of real progress. As each stadium is the responsibility of each city, Joburg should be keeping the country in touch with development. Soccer City was supposed to have been the first to start work, but nothing is ever heard!! Come on, its supposed to be the crown jewel yet it might turn into a crown with no jewels at this rate. PR please do some work!

The stadium looks amazing!!
I am in no doubt that the logistics around the actual tournament(Stadia, Team Logisitics, Broadcasting etc) will be first rate,
The peripheral activities that the Germans are managing: Parks with TV screens, music festivals, temporary campsites with ablution facilities, multi lingual guides/stewards... etc, are the things that the 2010 organisers should also focus on, as in the minds of supporters will raise the verdict from good to great...

South Africa have sent 150 delegates to check out how things are run in Germany. It was reported in Metrofm yesterday that FIFA visited SABC's rooms in Germany for television and radio and they gave a thumbs up to the way things were organized. TV and Radio commentators had Plasma TV to get the action better when they do their job. The radio station reported that the plans are huge in terms of media and so forth and they were struck by the enthusiastic and amazing comments from FIFA as they thought what they, SABC, did was just of a small scale to what they have planned for 2010.

i know that Mike Sutcliffe has said that Durban will have massive screens in Gugu Dlamini park in the CBD, On North Beach, in the townships and at a few select venues across the city...each city needs to do that to help the thousands who wont have or cant afford tickets

^^ aahh thanx, but Durbsboi did all the succesfull finding...well he has ben credited!! All this FANTASTIC news in one day is TOO much. First the massive ICC development and now this!!
no need for the thanx, we all were waiting for it, so I just helped out ;)

There is hope for our 2010 soccer team!
May 28, 2006

While Bafana Bafana are on the slide - not just down the world rankings but in terms of their actual performances on the field - the news is not all bad for SA soccer.

Raising the bar are a couple of our junior teams who have been jet-setting across the planet to tackle some of the best teams in the world ... and coming up trumps.

In a long-running event in Holland recently, the SuperSport Feyenoord under-15 team came out on top.

Among the sides they beat en route to the final was Barcelona's under-15 side. Yes, the same Barcelona whose senior team has just lifted the European Cup. An under-15 team that, just four years ago, would have included the likes of Cesc Fabregas, who's now bossing the midfield at Arsenal.

SuperSport's side overcame two of the finest footballing academy sides in the semis and final, beating Dutch giants Feyenoord and then Ajax Amsterdam respectively - sides which previously fielded the likes of Robin van Persie and Chelsea's Arjen Robben.

So, as the run-in to the 2010 finals looms, keep an eye out for the likes of young goalkeeper Sherwyn Naiker and leading goalscorer Simpiwe Nkosi.

On the other side of the world, in Hong Kong, it was a Kaizer Chiefs youth team who were showing up some of the best sides at age-group level when they turned it on at a seven-a-side event.

Despite the fact that the tournament's final day was held during torrential rain, there was non-stop action at the festival, which featured teams from Manchester United, Glasgow Celtic and Rangers, and eventual winners Urawa Red Diamonds, who beat Aston Villa in the final.

Chiefs, the first side invited from Africa to play at the Hong Kong event, topped their pool and were one of the leading sides to go into the quarter-final draw. They bowed out in the semi-finals, beaten 3-1 by eventual champions Urawa.


But prior to that, Chiefs had beaten Manchester United 1-0, with Stephen Kabelo getting the all-important goal.

In the quarter-finals, they knocked out Glasgow Celtic by the same margin.

So, the junior talent is making its presence felt on global stages.
The problem, as Jomo Sono said earlier this week, clearly lies in the management and staff of the senior sides.

Perhaps it's time for performance-related pay to kick in for our national side.

The message that needs to be delivered - to players, back-room staff, and the Safa executive - is simple: Deliver the goods and sponsors will reward you well.

Losing to the Botswana's "mighty" Zebras, who are only ranked No 103 in the world, doesn't count, though.

At the start of the year there was a lot of talk about how Durban was missing out on a Tri-Nations Test this year - the match was awarded instead to Rustenburg during the Brian van Rooyen era - and all that we were going to get was an international against lowly Scotland.

Many people said the game would be played in a half-full stadium.
But with less than two weeks to the Test, interest in tickets is already running high, and corporate packages and tickets are being offered for R500-R650.

Don't miss your chance to win a pair of tickets, courtesy of our friends at SuperSport - turn to Page 30 and enter our competition.

Safety first for these new taxis

By Xoliswa Zulu

While some taxi operators are fighting the government's taxi recapitalisation programme, the manufacturers of the new, improved 23-seater vehicles say the advanced safety features will help protect passengers in accidents.

With the 2010 soccer World Cup approaching, KwaZulu-Natal transport officials say they want to ensure that all transport systems in the province are safe.

KwaZulu-Natal roads have been marred with accidents involving taxis in recent months and Operation Thath' Isikorokoro has seen a number of taxis being taken off the roads for being unroadworthy. The new single-seat taxis will ensure that taxi drivers do not overload their vehicles.

KwaZulu-Natal roads have been marred with accidents involving taxis
Transport Portfolio Committee Chairperson Omie Singh said having the new taxis would ensure public transport was safer, efficient and reliable.

"I welcome and support the efforts to ensure that public transport is safer. With the 2010 soccer World Cup to be hosted by South Africa for the first time, it is important that our public transport system is world-class. Thousands of spectators will be relying on our public transport to get to and from the soccer stadiums."

Douglas Wingham, from Mercedes-Benz, who is manufacturing the 23-seaters, said the vehicles had been approved by the South African Bureau of Standards and Mercedes-Benz.

He said it was compulsory for all taxis to have single seats with lap belts that would ensure that if there was an accident, the chances of passengers getting injured was lessened.

He said: "All vehicles will have reflective tape all around for visibility at night and all of them are electronically governed not to exceed the maximum speed limit.

"All vehicles will have double wheels at the back, so if one tyre bursts, the driver can still control the vehicle. The tyres also have tyre bands so the tyre doesn't shred if it bursts."

Singh said: "We call upon taxi operators to work with government to make this programme a success. Transport is about reducing the costs of doing business and improving the quality of life of people and increasing workforce productivity."

The advantages of the new vehicles include:

# Front end design improves impact safety.

# ABS (Auto braking system) and ASR (Acceleration Skid Control) ensures that the vehicle remains steerable even in the case of drastic braking. This helps the driver to steer around obstacles even in emergencies.

# Travel comfort is increased by gas-filled shock absorber struts adjusted to the transverse leaf spring.

# Safety elements in the front and rear end act as crash protection.

# The increased visibility provided by H7 headlight bulbs results in improved safety during night driving and adverse weather conditions

# The road is illuminated more evenly.

Lies About 2010 Continue

NEWS
June 19, 2006
Posted to the web June 19, 2006



About the time the World Cup kicked off, maybe you watched a Sky TV report on how South Africa are in dire straits; that they may not be up to the job of hosting the event in 2010.

Shocking. To illustrate, the football activity presented was in a little crowded stadium; a boisterous crowd chaotically dancing on concrete stands. Then a litany of things of why the situation looks bleak for Africa hosting the world's biggest sporting spectacle for the first time.

Frankly, Sky did not really have a point.

First, when it comes to stadiums, what will you say about sporting theatres that host Test rugby such as Ellis Park in Johannesburg. In any case, South Africa, who have hosted the Rugby World Cup, Cricket World Cup and the African Nations Cup, are not short of facilities. They already have plenty of grounds that could hold the final if it was to be held tomorrow.

Sharp contrast

South Africans are upbeat, in sharp contrast to the opinion of the Sky interviewer. "We are ready, bring on the action-even tomorrow," one of them told Sky. The Lady Mayor of Cape Town also did not think that there was anything major that threatened the prospects for her compatriots welcoming the entire world for a most enjoyable extravaganza. Enough money has been committed, she said, and if all of it is delivered, there would be no hitches.

There clearly is a lot of ignorance about the resources that African countries have. Morocco is not a common destination for Sub-Saharan Africans. But those who venture there soon realise why, for example, the Mediterranean kingdom has in the past made two impressive bids to host the World Cup. An efficient international airport in Casablanca, good inter-city air, road and railway network between the superb towns of Marrakesh, Agadir, Rabat, Tangier and Fez and great sporting facilities in all these towns, tells you of their confidence in making such bold decisions.

Watched keenly

The World Cup is as much the business of other people in the continent as it is of South Africans. And South Africa has the vast support from the rest.

It is also Kenya's huge dream to be part of the road-show when it arrives "home" in 2010. As part of the countdown, every kick by African teams in Germany is being watched keenly. Kenyans have matched themselves against Tunisia in the past, won some lost some. The Harambee Stars have also beaten Togo before. It is quite encouraging for Kenya that Tunisia and Togo have had two respectable performances in Germany so far.

In their first match in Germany, Angola played superbly and came out proud in their 0-1 loss to Portugal. The Africans showed that Harambee Stars have their work cut out when they clash with the Angolans in a 2008 Africa Nations Cup qualifying match in October. The Stars begin their campaign with Eritrea on September 2.

Beginning September and for the next two years, Harambee Stars will play six Nations Cup qualifying matches. They will then play in some 2008 Olympic Games qualifying matches. If they make the Nations Cup finals in Ghana, the Stars will be guaranteeing themselves non-stop football up to the 2010 World Cup. This is because after Ghana, the Stars would need to embark on qualifications for the 2010 Nations Cup Ð which, like this year, may double up as qualifiers for the World Cup.

In the next four years, the Harambee Stars can hope to play about 25 top-flight internationals, about six per year. The potentially busy schedule raises hope that the Kenya Football Federation that resumed activity will revamp Kenya football.

ercard logo is prominently displayed.

The Fifa Fan Shop sells the official Adidas replica kit - and at 60 to 65 euros for a shirt it may prove too expensive for some.

'Not about football'

Some supporters argue that the efforts to protect the official partners' commercial interests means the fans lose out.


AMBUSH MARKETING
1984: Kodak sponsors TV broadcasts, despite Fuji being Olympics' official sponsor. Fuji returns favour at Seoul 1988 Games
1992: Nike sponsors news conferences with the US basketball team. Michael Jordan accepts the gold medal for basketball and covers up his Reebok logo
1994: American Express creates runs ads claiming Americans do not need "Visas" to travel to Norway (for Winter Olympics)
1996: Nike buys out billboards around Olympic sites
2000: Qantas Airlines' slogan "Spirit of Australia" coincidentally sounds like games slogan "Share the spirit" to chagrin of official sponsor Ansett Air

Cristina Morante, who has come from Asturias to cheer on Spain, says she has opted to buy an unofficial 10 euro replica top because of the cost of a real one.

"We would like to take our own drinks into the Fan Fest but we cannot because they only sell the drinks they want to sell. The beers are very expensive in there," she adds.

Ramze Maamer, a Tunisian living in Stuttgart, says: "It's too much. It's not about football, it's just a marketing thing, the World Cup.

"If we have paid for tickets that should be enough. We are really hoping that in South Africa (in 2010) it will be different. The sponsor companies already have all the tickets, and not the fans."

Mexico fan Rudy Magallon, who has travelled from Los Angeles for the tournament, says he understands why the official partners want to prevent other firms grabbing free publicity.

But, he says, making fans take off their trousers is going too far.

'Much at stake'

"It's an embarrassment. I think it would make me feel unwanted," he says.

Adidas shoes
One of the highest profile brand rivalries is between Adidas and Nike

Viken Oijizmedjian, a Fifa spokesman in Stuttgart, told the BBC News website that individual fans need not worry because the regulations on what brands can be worn apply chiefly to players and officials.

"Individual supporters can wear what they want. If they come in their normal tracksuit, that's okay," he said.

"But if companies are trying to do ambush marketing, that is not allowed because it can be seen on television."

With so much at stake financially for the organisers and sponsors of major sporting events, it seems unlikely the rules will be any less strict in the future.

In fact, the organisers of the London 2012 Olympic Games have already listed a string of Olympic-related words and images that are off limits to all but official sponsors.

And mindful of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics - when Nike "ambushed" sponsors Adidas by buying up vast numbers of billboards around the Olympic sites - the London committee has already taken the precaution of booking almost all the city's billboard space during the games.

Marketing 'very important'

For Tunisian Sahbani Anis, visiting Stuttgart from Paris, the economic advantages an event like the World cup brings to host countries outweigh the restrictions imposed under sponsorship deals.

"There's a lot of marketing but I think it's very important because it is the reason why countries seek to organise the World Cup," he says.

"Without the marketing people would not go to the shops, buy the goods and so allow the economy of that country to do well.

"For example, next time the host will be South Africa and it will have the chance to relaunch its economy.

"Football is perhaps a way to get money into an African country it would not see otherwise. I hope we will see that in South Africa."

DAN'S WORLD
World Cup 2010

Tue, 20 Jun 2006

In a quite eerie act of clairvoyance, iafrica.com's sporting editor and resident Nostradamus brings you a match report on the opening match of the 2010 World Cup between South Africa and England.

Bafana Bafana got off to a winning start at the 2010 World Cup last night, Jomo Sono's side beating England 8-3 to cap a controversial build-up to the South African tournament.

Sono was brought in just a month ago to replace former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who had replaced former Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who had replaced former Ajax Cape Town coach Gordon Igesund, who had replaced former Australia and Russia coach Guus Hiddink, who had replaced Sono, who had replaced former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Perreira, who had joined the national squad after the 2006 World Cup, as the South African Football Association sought continuity and stability in moulding a winning team for the tournament on home soil.

Sono's 23-man squad for the tournament includes 19 players from Jomo Cosmos, a controversial move, with 53-year-old striker Shaun Bartlett one of the few non-Cosmos players in the squad. Somo also sparked seating trouble in the dug-out, his technical team of 91 having to be accommodated in temporary seating. Adding to the problem was an overbooking of the opening match, with Botswana-based firm Bhamjee Ticketing having accidentally sold 230 000 tickets to the opening game in Cape Town.

After a three hour delay, the match finally got underway, with the first half played at Green Point’s new stadium, due for completion in 2015, and the second half played at the Athlone Stadium, the result of a compromise settled on after a local government dispute. England took an early lead through 14-year-old Theo Walcott, and followed quickly with a second from Wayne Rooney, before the game was briefly disrupted by striking Togolese players who stormed the field.

Bafana clawed one back, before England got a third just before half-time, Bartlett penalised for throwing his dentures at Frank Lampard. 3-1 at the break, at which point players were taken through to the Athlone Stadium in the official 2010 World Cup minibus taxis. While the South African players looked comfortable on arrival, the English appeared pale and shaken on arriving at the ground, the standard 25-minute journey having been made in just eight minutes through oncoming traffic to ensure a speedy resumption of the game, and with the full England squad of 23 plus management squeezed into one vehicle for added efficiency.

The second half was slightly delayed as guest of honour Ronaldo, the former Brazilian star, got wedged in the players' tunnel on the way out onto the field to receive an honorary plaque. Ronaldo was freed just before full time by the local fire brigade, by which time England, strangely distracted after the half-time break, had fallen 7-3 behind. An eighth goal by Sono, who brought himself on for the last ten minutes, sealed a famous victory for South Africa in the opening match of the tournament.

"The taxi ride was a nightmare," veteran England captain David Beckham said after the game. "And in the second half the security staff and marshals on duty inside the stadium kept pestering our players for autographs, cigarettes and small change every time we had a corner or throw-in." Sono declared himself "absolutely delighted" with the result, and is now looking forward to the second match of the tournament against Nigeria, who are hoping to have six key players out on bail in time for the game, after a small incident involving credit cards at the V&A Waterfront earlier in the week.

:rofl: that should be in the LAUGH A DAY thread! brilliant! 53yr old shaun Bartlett..classic!

Stranger things will probably happen... ;) Not necessarily bad, but strange.

On a serious note, does anyone know if there is a specific date by which all stadium construction MUST begin? Or at least by which all design must be made public?

No idea, but I know when they all must be complete by......pretty obvious though

City not 'holey' sure about doughnut stadium

June 11, 2006

By Igsaan Salie

The "doughnut stadium" - this could be the nickname for Cape Town's proposed 2010 soccer World Cup stadium.

The stadium design has not yet been made public but it appears the grandstands and roof will be rounded with a hole in the middle, giving it the doughnut or bagel look.

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/3149/estadio9km.jpg

yes?no?maybe?

How will the retractable roof work with a round roof?

How will the retractable roof work with a round roof?
who knows..

Good question Durbsboi. I wonder where the reporter got the render from. If this is a leaked render of the actual proposed stadium to test public opinion I'd give it a 7/10. Definitely not bad, but not exactly brilliant or iconic either. I think the alternate open / closed panels are the most interesting feature of the stadium; makes it look almost space-ship like. If this design remains I don't see CT getting a stadium with a restractable roof. Could dampen (pun intended!) the city's chances of hosting other big tournaments all year round with bad weather so many months of the year.

What are your thoughts Mo? You're being awefully (and unusually) quiet on this.

Good question Durbsboi. I wonder where the reporter got the render from. If this is a leaked render of the actual proposed stadium to test public opinion I'd give it a 7/10. Definitely not bad, but not exactly brilliant or iconic either. I think the alternate open / closed panels are the most interesting feature of the stadium; makes it look almost space-ship like. If this design remains I don't see CT getting a stadium with a restractable roof. Could dampen (pun intended!) the city's chances of hosting other big tournaments all year round with bad weather so many months of the year.

What are your thoughts Mo? You're being awefully (and unusually) quiet on this.
of course its not the stadium design..im not thaaat stupid..its just a design i found on my laptop and thought id post as it reminded me a whole lot of the "doughnut stadium" but then again they called durbans stadium the doughnut stadium as well.....secondly cape town doesnt have bad weather "so many months in a year" is that why the tourists seem to love cape town..for our "so many bad weather months" yes i know the world cup is in june but winter is our rainy cold month u make it sound as if 11/12 months in cape town rains.

I don't think this will prove popular or work everywhere.....

------------------------

KZN plan to do away with robots questioned
Bongani Mthembu
June 21 2006 at 11:44AM

The South African Automobile Association (AA) has warned that the eThekwini Municipality's attempts to reduce traffic congestion by doing away with traffic lights and replacing them with traffic circles could do more harm than good.

The AA was reacting to the council's announcement on Tuesdayt that it was looking at removing some traffic lights to prevent a build-up of traffic and to tackle the problem of malfunctioning traffic lights. This is part of the city's attempt to improve the traffic system before the Soccer World Cup tournament in 2010.

AA spokesperson Petro Kruger said although traffic circles had been implemented successfully in the European countries, Durban needed to embark on an extensive awareness campaign for motorists before it implemented them.


"History has shown that South African drivers are not good at using traffic circles. This makes it extremely important for cities such as Durban, which want to introduce them, to make sure there is proper awareness for motorists before such a new environment is introduced - to avoid unnecessary accidents," she said.

They say traffic circles enable traffic to move normally
The city is also hoping traffic circles would reduce the incidence of smash and grabs, as motorists would not have to stop and wait for long in quiet areas at night, which makes them easy targets for criminals.

Speaking during the council's executive meeting on Tuesday, eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba said he would be happy to see the number of traffic lights in certain parts of the city reduced and replaced by traffic circles before the soccer tournament in 2010.

"I believe we should target points where there is heavy traffic, and traffic circles will tackle the problem of smash and grabs," he said.

According to police reports, most smash and grabs take place at traffic lights.

The eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) has been tasked by the executive committee to look at how traffic circles could be implemented. The matter will then be debated at a full council meeting in the next few months before they are constructed.

Democratic Alliance caucus leader John Steenhuisen also suggested that there should be tutorials for Durban residents before traffic circles were implemented.

People who support the construction of traffic circles argue that traffic lights are bad because when there are blackouts, all traffic lights are down, which causes confusion. They say traffic circles enable traffic to move normally, thus redu-cing petrol costs for motorists and electricity for council.

An ETA official who wanted to remain anonymous said the council would save millions if it went ahead with the idea of traffic circles, as it was spending a great deal of money on fixing traffic lights every year.

The rule for traffic circles is that a driver has to yield to the right at a traffic circle.

This article was originally published on page 2 of Daily News on June 21, 2006


http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=181&art_id=vn20060621081909482C577590

of course its not the stadium design..im not thaaat stupid..its just a design i found on my laptop and thought id post as it reminded me a whole lot of the "doughnut stadium" but then again they called durbans stadium the doughnut stadium as well.....secondly cape town doesnt have bad weather "so many months in a year" is that why the tourists seem to love cape town..for our "so many bad weather months" yes i know the world cup is in june but winter is our rainy cold month u make it sound as if 11/12 months in cape town rains.

Well, if that's not the render then anything is possible; CT may well get its retractable roof after all.

On the weather issue, this thread focusses on sporting events (primarily 2010), not tourism per se. The stadium is not going to attract tourists by itself; tourists will come for the overall package the city offers (just for the record, tourism figures in CT drop significantly during the wet and cold winter period). However, when it comes to sporting events (the issue at hand), without a retractable roof the city will have to face hosting big events in miserable weather months or hosting matches in only good weather months. This is not always possible or feasible. Most major international sporting events are held from May-August because of viewership issues (the events then don't compete with Superbowl, NHL, MLB, NBA etc in the lucrative North American market). Unfortunately, this period coincides with the bad weather months in CT. Yes, CT doesn't have bad weather all year round. But in the *prime* sporting months when it matters, it does, hence my point that CT will lose out on hosting big events if doesn't get a retractable roof.

If CT was so self-assured that it had great weather so many months of the year then why is it bothering with a restractable roof at all? It should just host all major events in its good weather months, right?

Well, if that's not the render then anything is possible; CT may well get its retractable roof after all.

On the weather issue, this thread focusses on sporting events (primarily 2010), not tourism per se. The stadium is not going to attract tourists by itself; tourists will come for the overall package the city offers (just for the record, tourism figures in CT drop significantly during the wet and cold winter period). However, when it comes to sporting events (the issue at hand), without a retractable roof the city will have to face hosting big events in miserable weather months or hosting matches in only good weather months. This is not always possible or feasible. Most major international sporting events are held from May-August because of viewership issues (the events then don't compete with Superbowl, NHL, MLB, NBA etc in the lucrative North American market). Unfortunately, this period coincides with the bad weather months in CT. Yes, CT doesn't have bad weather all year round. But in the *prime* sporting months when it matters, it does, hence my point that CT will lose out on hosting big events if doesn't get a retractable roof.

If CT was so self-assured that it had great weather so many months of the year then why is it bothering with a restractable roof at all? It should just host all major events in its good weather months, right?



"prime" sporting months...u mean the european summer? cape towns prime sporting months are in summer and spring and autumn..when europe has its winter.

Oh fuck off, not more traffic circles! Umhlanga is more than enough!

Fifa voices doubts on IT for 2010 World Cup

South African infrastructure could prove a challenge, says Fifa
Daniel Thomas, Computing 22 Jun 2006

Fifa has started preparations for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but has expressed concerns that the country’s IT infrastructure is inadequate in its present state.

Football governing body Fifa is hoping to reuse large parts of the technology infrastructure from this month’s tournament in Germany, but says lack of bandwidth could make it difficult to run accreditation, event management and football results systems in the same way.

The organising group is working with IT partners Avaya, Toshiba and Deutsche Telekom at the Germany-hosted tournament to ensure that 50,000 media and operations staff are able to access key applications over a converged voice and data network.

But Peter Meyer, head of IT at Fifa, says the current lack of bandwidth in South Africa may make it hard to create a similar infrastructure to that in Germany, which is hosting business applications at a central data centre.

‘Before these games are over we are already starting work on the next World Cup,’ said Meyer. ‘I was in South Africa a few weeks ago and the connectivity, especially when contacting the rest of the world, is quite thin.’

Meyer says South Africa’s technology could advance significantly over the next few years, and that a liberalisation of the telecoms market in the country is already under way.

Katja Ruud, research director at analyst Gartner, agrees that existing South African technology is insufficient for World Cup operations, but says the market is developing. ‘It is an emerging technology market, but this must have been taken into consideration when applying for the World Cup,’ she said.

The South African organising committee may end up relying more on mobile communications technologies rather than broadband, says Ruud.

‘It was the same with the Athens Olympics: people expected it to fail but the organisers managed well,’ she said.

World Cup pitches are 'disappointing'
Berlin, Germany
22 June 2006 01:39
The World Cup organisers admitted on Thursday that they were disappointed by worn-looking pitches, but blamed unseasonably cold weather in Germany in May for the problems.

All of the playing surfaces at the 12 World Cup stadiums were replaced at the end of the German league season in mid-May, but low temperatures at that time prevented the grass from growing properly.

"We didn't achieve the optimum objective we set, we have to concede that," the vice-president of the organising committee, Wolfgang Niersbach, admitted.

"This winter there was unusually cold weather in Germany," Niersbach told the daily media briefing.

"In Hamburg, Cologne and Gelsenkirchen the visual appearance is not as good as expected."

Patches may be replaced on the Gelsenkirchen pitch, he added.

Both Hamburg and Gelsenkirchen will host a quarterfinal match, although not matches in the last 16.

The design of the two stadiums in question has also not aided the growth of the grass, Niersbach said. The bowl design of the Hamburg stadium, for example, did not let as much light in as the other grounds.

"We are a bit upset, we thought we were so cautious and could offer optimum conditions and we have ended up with a weak spot we were not expecting," Niersbach said.

World soccer governing body Fifa's president Sepp Blatter said this week that matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa could take place on synthetic pitches.

"In the future, it will be necessary to have pitches that can resist all weather conditions," he explained. -- AFP

I worry about JHB. They have a lot to do before their stadium and surrounds become world class...

----------------

Germany 2006 sets standard for S’Africa 2010

• Thursday, Jun 22, 2006

Faced with TV images of majestic stadiums from Germany,. South Africans are wondering what sort of World Cup their country will stage in 2010.

South Africa boasts good roads, fervent fans, expansive scenery and the feel-good factor of a young democracy.

But its cities are snarled with traffic, crime levels are among the world’s worst.

South Africa is also plagued by a deepening power crisis that has hit top tourist city, Cape Town the hardest.

“Those stadia in Germany, they are so big and nice,” said Sibusiso Radebe, a 21-year-old fan from Soweto.

A visit to the FNB stadium in Soweto, the symbolic heart of South African football, illustrates the magnitude of the task at hand if South Africa is to host the World Cup in style.

In Frankfurt, trains, trams and buses all operating like clockwork whisk fans to and from the Waldstadion stadium.

In Soweto, transport is by park-and-ride, car or overcrowded minibus taxis.

Parking is on adjacent scrubland, marshalled by locals hoping to make extra cash, and leaving the ground can take hours, with traffic jams long and collisions frequent.

When fans arrived for this year’s opening match in Munich, they had to show personalised tickets before clearing two rounds of security, while extra police patrolled the stadium.

At the FNB stadium in Soweto, hundreds of ticket less fans regularly circumvent ticket marshals simply by turning up early and hard alcohol and marijuana is readily available.

But officials insist all that will change, and plans for a ‘Soccer City’ complex in Soweto are afoot.

Danny Jordaan, who heads South Africa’s 2010 World Cup Organising Committee, said preparations which include upgrading stadiums and building a new rail system, were ahead of schedule.

His communications manager, Tumi Makgabo, says South Africa can learn from Germany but would also strive to create an authentic local experience.

“It’s unavoidable that people will compare us with Germany,” said Makgabo, a former CNN television anchor.

“But am I worried we won’t put on a great event? Of course not.”

Others are not so confident. Construction of a new stadium in Cape Town has stalled due to wrangling over exactly where it should go.

And delays over a multi-billion rand high-speed train project meant to link Johannesburg to its airport have raised fears it may not be ready in time for the tournament.

http://www.thetidenews.com/article.aspx?qrDate=06/22/2006&qrTitle=Germany%202006%20sets%20standard%20for%20S%E2%80%99Africa%202010&qrColumn=SPORTS

CT needs to get its act together quickly...

------------------------

Without planning for stadium, we can kiss our ARS goodbye


June 21, 2006

By Mike Wills

It's hard to get anyone to talk about anything other than the World Cup at the moment. In fact it's hard to get anyone to talk at all because they're usually glued to the late game between Mexico and Angola.

You know the philistines have finally taken over when the biggest applause by far at the National Literary Awards Ceremony last Saturday night was for the announcement that Ghana had thumped the Czechs. For a while I wasn't sure whether that was fiction or non-fiction but, like everyone, I shared in the feel-good African buzz. Right there and then, even the literati would have sworn optimistically blind that World Cups were A Good Thing.

Which leads us to whether we should build our expensive domed mega-stadium in Cape Town for 2010. Should we give the green light to Green Point or the red light, in an area where there are already plenty of red-light activities?

Personally, and as a talk show host trying to take the pulse of the city, I am ambivalent. I can't make up my own mind nor can I get the prevailing mood except from Green Pointers who unanimously dread living in a semi-permanent building site for 36 months and a semi-permanent traffic jam thereafter.

I can't even get a decent fix on whether the three-year timeline is achievable. Engineers and architects seem divided between the "we can make a plan" school and the damning "we don't even have enough steel or concrete" camp. For the layman it's impossible to determine where the reality lies.

The premier, in an article in the Cape Argus, argued that it was a "no-brainer" to build the thing in all its multibillion rand glory, which is both offensive to many sensible people who have reasonable questions about the short and long-term viability of the project, and also demands the question of him as to where his brain was when he was so feverishly championing Athlone not so long ago.

The new mayor swiftly trampled in on the finances and raised plenty of dust and doubt, but seems to have gone uncharacteristically quiet since her initial flurry. Is she holding fire until we actually have a design to consider, a business plan to debate and the environmental impact assessed?

The problem is that by the time we have all of those we'll have no time for discussion and challenge. Even the bullish builders say we don't have room for political delays or switching to Culemborg as some are urging, or, more worryingly, court action. Should residents, environmentalists, heritage activists or those with losing tenders put a spoke in the wheel then the whole plan is in serious jeopardy.


A couple of things are very clear.

Without such a stadium, the World Cup matches will largely pass us by. Definitely no opening game nor anything from the quarter-finals on. And even group matches demand significant investment at Athlone given that Newlands is improbable because of the tight suburban envelope that doesn't allow for the security zones and access.

Undeniably we will also miss out on the jobs for many Capetonians that would go with the venture.

But other things are not so clear. Will an investment of several billion rand for, at best, four extra games, be worth it? Especially given that World Cup supporters will still visit the city in their hordes before, after and between their country's games at other venues. And I don't really buy the "global marketing opportunity for Cape Town" stuff.

I've watched plenty of this World Cup so far and it's all about the pitch and the players. I haven't a clue whether they're in Gelsinkirchen or Frotsauerkraut.

So where does this leave us?

Well, I don't know about you, but it's time I climbed off the fence. I'm happy to be bold, think positively and go for it, provided the following conditions can be met with reasonable conviction (absolute certainty is not a fair demand):


- The budget will be spelled out clearly, with appropriate contingencies and bankrupting penalties for those who fail to deliver.


- The design will be simple and achievable and will leave us with an excellent football stadium, not a cavernous combination of athletics track and soccer pitch which would be justified by the notion that we will one day pursue the Olympics or the Commonwealth Games.


- The business plan somehow includes rugby because aside from Chiefs-Pirates fixtures, Bok tests and Super 14 games are the only guaranteed annual sporting bankers in this town.


- The transport planning is clear- headed and practical.


- It WILL be built on time.


- The name is changed from the putative African Renaissance Stadium - the acronym tempts headline fate too much because we all may well ending up kissing our ARS goodbye.

http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=137&fArticleId=3302837

I can understand concerns about crime but this seems almost irresponsible and malicious....

---------------------------

Anti-crime campaign may scare 2010 visitors

June 22 2006 at 01:59PM

By Sharlene Packree, Barbara Cole and Bheko Madlala

A proposed international anti-crime campaign designed to embarrass South Africa and scare off potential tourists has been condemned by the government as being a scare tactic.

The Crime Barometer, a web page which will tell the stories of South Africans who have been victims of crime, will include statistics and pictures and give people an opportunity to air their views on crime in the country.

The Internet web page, www.crimebarometersouthafrica.co.za will go online on July 4 and aims to scare soccer fans planning to visit South Africa for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup by giving them a preview of the crime.


"We will ensure that each and every traveller who plans to visit South Africa will think twice before heading for the world's murder capital," said Neil Watson, the brains behind the campaign.

Watson, an insurance broker, said he began the web page so that victims of crime would be able to tell their stories in detail.

The website will be updated with pictures and stories every two days.

"Crime is horrific here. If international tourists do not visit the country, South Africa will lose millions in tourism revenue. I want to discourage tourists from coming here.

"How can we host the Soccer World Cup if innocent people are being slaughtered each day?" he said.

"Government is not protecting us. We can't even complain because we get asked to leave the country by Charles Nqakula, the Minister of Safety and Security.

"It is the duty of all South Africans to stand up to the crime in their country and that's what I'm doing," said Watson.

The Cape Town father of four has not been a victim of crime. However, he fears that it is only a question of time before he too will become another statistic and be hijacked or robbed like other South Africans.

"Our actions in exposing the South African killing fields come as a direct result of government's refusal to deal with the crisis.

"South Africans are living in fear while politicians and senior police officials, together with their families, enjoy first class personal protection."

JP Louw, spokesperson for the national department of environmental affairs and Tourism, said such "scare tactics" were "really quite unfortunate".

Deprive

Anyone who ran a programme which would deprive people of jobs and earning a living did not have the interests of the country at heart, he said.

The department remained content that its marketing strategies to increase the number of tourists to the country were firmly in place and remained on track.

It had already surpassed its target of seven million annual international tourists to the country.

President Thabo Mbeki's spokesperson, Mukoni Ratshitanga, referred all queries to the departments of Safety and Security, and Sports and Recreation.

Nqakula's spokesperson Trevor Bloom said while crime in the country was unacceptably high, there was evidence that it had reduced over the past few years.

"The gentleman must put his facts on the table. Our facts and statistics show that crime is high and the minister has never denied that, but the important thing is to note that crime has certainly gone down.

"The government has a clear programme to make sure that crime is reduced. We have put in place mechanisms to measure the progress.

"I think that is why Fifa has full confidence in the ability of the government to tackle this problem," he said.

Bongi Sishi, spokesperson for Sports and Recreation Minister Makhenkesi Stofile, said the department did not believe that discouraging people from coming to the country and attempting to stop South Africa from hosting the World Cup would solve the crime problem.


One permanent job is created for every 12 international tourists who visit the country.


This article was originally published on page 8 of Daily News on June 22, 2006

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20060622090202609C562945

Well as we like to promote our self, we are subjected to the harsh reality of crime, I dont favor such a website, but if this is how we going to jack the government to step up security issues then so be it, because with the on going security guard strike , the CBD wasnt the best place to be, I was there on many occasions when the mobs looted shops, although not hurting any body, it does scare you to think what was actualy happening, & further more our brilliant security minister telling the winghers to pack up & leave was just down right dom! then takes him over 3 weeks to reply to the that statement which caused a national outrage by coming back with the lamest comeback by saying that statement was meant for a few MP's & not the nation.

Crime is getting out of hand- FACT!
Police are not doing their job properly - FACT!
Government are not dealing with these problems properly - FACT!

Its nice we moving forward, in SA by building state of the art stadiums and what not, but I hope the goverment & local legisture deal with crime head on, because we have to deal with it before 2010, just the other day a tourist hard drive was stolen from their car which contained over 20 000 pictures from all over africa, which is price less & ireplacable.

As much as I am against the tactics of the guy I agree that if this will cajole govt into taking crime more seriously (image is important these days!) then I hope it has the desired effect (on govt). I am not in favour, though, of characterising the whole country as a crime-infested cess-pool. Tourism will bring jobs; this will reduce unemployment and hopefully, crime too. We don't want to kill the goose than lays the golden egg. Remember, tourism now employs more people than mining. For every tourist we lose, we lose a few jobs too.

Yeh but something has to be done jerome. Can u imagine if they dont get crime under control properly...2010 will then be the worst thing for south africa's image. the press will spend more time reporting on all the murders than the event and SA will fall completely off the world map for tourism.

Agreed.

CT needs to get its act together quickly...

------------------------

Without planning for stadium, we can kiss our ARS goodbye


June 21, 2006

By Mike Wills

It's hard to get anyone to talk about anything other than the World Cup at the moment. In fact it's hard to get anyone to talk at all because they're usually glued to the late game between Mexico and Angola.

You know the philistines have finally taken over when the biggest applause by far at the National Literary Awards Ceremony last Saturday night was for the announcement that Ghana had thumped the Czechs. For a while I wasn't sure whether that was fiction or non-fiction but, like everyone, I shared in the feel-good African buzz. Right there and then, even the literati would have sworn optimistically blind that World Cups were A Good Thing.

Which leads us to whether we should build our expensive domed mega-stadium in Cape Town for 2010. Should we give the green light to Green Point or the red light, in an area where there are already plenty of red-light activities?

Personally, and as a talk show host trying to take the pulse of the city, I am ambivalent. I can't make up my own mind nor can I get the prevailing mood except from Green Pointers who unanimously dread living in a semi-permanent building site for 36 months and a semi-permanent traffic jam thereafter.

I can't even get a decent fix on whether the three-year timeline is achievable. Engineers and architects seem divided between the "we can make a plan" school and the damning "we don't even have enough steel or concrete" camp. For the layman it's impossible to determine where the reality lies.

The premier, in an article in the Cape Argus, argued that it was a "no-brainer" to build the thing in all its multibillion rand glory, which is both offensive to many sensible people who have reasonable questions about the short and long-term viability of the project, and also demands the question of him as to where his brain was when he was so feverishly championing Athlone not so long ago.

The new mayor swiftly trampled in on the finances and raised plenty of dust and doubt, but seems to have gone uncharacteristically quiet since her initial flurry. Is she holding fire until we actually have a design to consider, a business plan to debate and the environmental impact assessed?

The problem is that by the time we have all of those we'll have no time for discussion and challenge. Even the bullish builders say we don't have room for political delays or switching to Culemborg as some are urging, or, more worryingly, court action. Should residents, environmentalists, heritage activists or those with losing tenders put a spoke in the wheel then the whole plan is in serious jeopardy.


A couple of things are very clear.

Without such a stadium, the World Cup matches will largely pass us by. Definitely no opening game nor anything from the quarter-finals on. And even group matches demand significant investment at Athlone given that Newlands is improbable because of the tight suburban envelope that doesn't allow for the security zones and access.

Undeniably we will also miss out on the jobs for many Capetonians that would go with the venture.

But other things are not so clear. Will an investment of several billion rand for, at best, four extra games, be worth it? Especially given that World Cup supporters will still visit the city in their hordes before, after and between their country's games at other venues. And I don't really buy the "global marketing opportunity for Cape Town" stuff.

I've watched plenty of this World Cup so far and it's all about the pitch and the players. I haven't a clue whether they're in Gelsinkirchen or Frotsauerkraut.

So where does this leave us?

Well, I don't know about you, but it's time I climbed off the fence. I'm happy to be bold, think positively and go for it, provided the following conditions can be met with reasonable conviction (absolute certainty is not a fair demand):


- The budget will be spelled out clearly, with appropriate contingencies and bankrupting penalties for those who fail to deliver.


- The design will be simple and achievable and will leave us with an excellent football stadium, not a cavernous combination of athletics track and soccer pitch which would be justified by the notion that we will one day pursue the Olympics or the Commonwealth Games.


- The business plan somehow includes rugby because aside from Chiefs-Pirates fixtures, Bok tests and Super 14 games are the only guaranteed annual sporting bankers in this town.


- The transport planning is clear- headed and practical.


- It WILL be built on time.


- The name is changed from the putative African Renaissance Stadium - the acronym tempts headline fate too much because we all may well ending up kissing our ARS goodbye.

http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=137&fArticleId=3302837

i read this in the newspaper in the "OPINION" section. I have no regard any longer for "south africa" bashing articles...we will do our best to build and prepare for the world cup...that applies to any bashing of any city..we have our problems we need to solve and we will do our best at solving of finding solutions for them...to our detractors "FUCK YOU" and dont expect a world cup like the one in germany in 2006..expect south africa and all that it is..be it the ugly and bad or the majestic beautiful and evil..

whether succesful or not..any articles specifcally "bashing" or intentionally "dooming and glooming" south africa, will be referred to thryve and he can then decide whether or not to close the thread or remove the post or whatever..this applies to each and every city, i dont mind you guys posting articles that show concern with certain aspects of our planning...but any articles dooming south africa i just hate..

Skills loss hampers Cape transport plan
June 23 2006 at 11:04AM
By Anel Powell


"Yusry Frizlar, chairperson of the chamber's transport and communications forum, said members would assess the business plan and submit their comments to the city before the report goes to province for review"

Man in bold is my uncle. Shame..tough job the guy has...

sorry mo that u feel like that...but that article was written by a capetonian regarding the progress of the stadium facilitation process. i dont see it as "damning on sa" but shows that work must be done and people dont seem to be doing it. it also asks questions we all should be asking. i think it is highly relevant. there have been many articles in the durban press asking about the sustainability of our new stadium and i totally agree with many of the issues raised. you cant sweep things under the rug cos u dont like the truth.

Also, asking thryve to remove articles that dont meet a specific criteria is foolhardy, for that is censorship.

Yes i agree people must not city bash, but that article is anything but that, it speaks of concern, a what a real concern it is

I think as soon as the WC in Germany is over, SA needs to kick in BIG TIME! Government must get their act together, the organising comitee who'm went to Germany must start planning from there & start as soon as they get back, yes we have got 4 years still, but we need to start NOW! so we dont get caught on the back foot!

True. It ill be damning on all of Africa if things fall apart. You know, the 'Lost Continent' mentality.

sorry mo that u feel like that...but that article was written by a capetonian regarding the progress of the stadium facilitation process. i dont see it as "damning on sa" but shows that work must be done and people dont seem to be doing it. it also asks questions we all should be asking. i think it is highly relevant. there have been many articles in the durban press asking about the sustainability of our new stadium and i totally agree with many of the issues raised. you cant sweep things under the rug cos u dont like the truth.

Also, asking thryve to remove articles that dont meet a specific criteria is foolhardy, for that is censorship.

Yes i agree people must not city bash, but that article is anything but that, it speaks of concern, a what a real concern it is
1. I think you understood incorrectly..my "outburst" was not related to the article you or whoever posted..the article you posted was concern..what i was referring to were articles that were blatantly and explicitly bashin south africa and its ability or lack of ability to host the world cup in 2010..basically a doom and gloom spree by the international and suprisingly some local media sources..so the article or opinion of concern that appeared here was fine
2. Articles i would asky thryve to remove would include "south africa" bashing..e.g. the article that appeared in the 2010 forum in the stadium and sport arena's section...if an article like that were to be posted in the south africa threads..i would ask him to remove it..whether or not he removes it would be up to him..im not sure he even has that sort of power..
3. so again my comments were not linked to the article regarding concern over the stadium...and i should have made that clearer..

Why the World Cup is in safe hands


June 27, 2006

By Jermaine Craig

The World Cup's big, but not too big for the SA Police Service to handle, according to police chief Andre Pruis, who assured
Jermaine Craig that public safety won't be a problem when football fans descend on the country in 2010

Andre Pruis, the deputy national commissioner of the SA Police Service, tells a funny story about the Fifa official who landed at Johannesburg International Airport and asked: "So, where's the tube?"

"What tube? A bicycle tube?" incredulous South Africans responded to the football official's "strange" question.

At any major European city a "tube", or rail transport system from the airport to the centre of town, is commonplace, but in South Africa a "tube" at an airport would be regarded as some sort of space-age futuristic phenomenon.

Not surprising then that transport is seen as the SA 2010 Soccer World Cup's biggest Achilles' heel over the next four years.

Pruis and the SAPS, however, have an even bigger responsibility - guaranteeing the safety of the hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors who will descend on the country for the event in four years' time.

South Africa can hardly mask its status as one of the world's crime capitals, not with sickening daily instances of one horrific murder after the other.

In Germany, other than the occasional fisticuffs between English and German fans, violent crime has been virtually non-existent during the World Cup.

Still, with not a hint of hesitation, Pruis says the SAPS will be up to the security challenge in South Africa in 2010.

"The World Cup's big, but I've got no doubt from a safety point of view that we can handle it.

"There won't be any problems," Pruis said this week in Berlin without flinching.

His confidence stems from South Africa's excellent security record at the major international and sporting events it has previously hosted.

"With all the big events we've held, we can teach the world a few things. The security blueprint we employed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development is now employed at all United Nations events and South Africa is beginning to play a leading security role in the world. Our commissioner (Jackie Selebi) is even the chief of Interpol. I've been on patrol in the streets with the German police and learnt a lot, but also pointed out a few things to them that we employ back home.

"They've acknowledged it as things they could have implemented here," said Pruis.

As part of a South African observer group looking at Germany 2006 with a view to South Africa 2010, Selebi's number two has this week picked up - and imparted - some useful police intelligence.

"The interesting thing for me at the World Cup games in Germany has been the role of the police and that of private security companies.

"At the games I was at in Nuremberg, Cologne and Munich, the outer perimeter of the stadium is the police's responsibility.

"But inside the stadium, the security companies check the tickets, search fans and do bodychecks. About 160-170 security officials are employed at a game, on the pitch and inside the stadium.


"England games, however, are high risk and the police are more visible inside and outside the stadium than they would be for other games," said Pruis.

While there's always the chance of conflict when large numbers of England's drunken Barmy Army converge, Pruis found them reasonably good-natured.

"When there have been punch-ups, police have been on the scene quickly and handled it well," he said.

Interestingly, England's "bobbies on the beat" from Scotland Yard have also been working with the German police at the World Cup.

"The reason is that England fans know them and when they see them, they're more calm ... Also, the English police have very good information about hooligans in Britain, which they can pass on to the Germans. We would definitely consider having the bobbies in South Africa in 2010 and even go broader than that and use police from other countries as well. One thing is the language issue, with foreign police being able to communicate with fans in Spanish, Portuguese, French, whatever language, and explain to spectators what is required of them. It makes the situation a lot easier."

Pruis has also worked with Fifa's security officers at matches and been impressed with how they've handled things. "They ensure they have enough security staff in place at stadiums, but they do it in a relaxed manner, slowly increasing the numbers as the game's about to kick off.

"They've explained that there must be calm. It's soccer after all and people come to enjoy themselves.

"There must be security, but it must not be overbearing, and all private security guards used must be registered as security officers and trained to deal with crowds," said Pruis.

He admits, however, with "security guards" at local Premier Soccer League games back home being sometimes anyone with an orange bib and a sjambok, that there "is a lot of hard work ahead of us".

As for safeguarding fans at dedicated fan fests and around the country, Pruis said every SA World Cup city would have a dedicated task group with a large number of police.

There will be visible poli-cing - some in uniform and some undercover - on trains and at hotels, restaurants, beer gardens, etc, wherever World Cup visitors are likely to be.

Pruis says police have already budgeted for state-of-the-art mobile command vehicles and helicopters which will transmit video footage to police commanders on the ground, enabling them to monitor the crowds.

There will also be mobile police stations, equipped with courts and Home Affairs offices, so that if there are any problems, troublemakers can immediately be arrested and deported.

All will be done to ensure that those at the World Cup are safe and focus on what they're supposed to - enjoying the football.

24/06/2006 21:18 - (SA)
Africa to unite for emblem launch

Munich, Germany

The chairperson of the SA 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee, Irvin Khoza, and chief executive Danny Jordaan have hailed the official emblem unveiling ceremony set for Berlin on July 7 as a historic event.

"The presence of President Thabo Mbeki is proof that not only South Africa, but the entire continent is treating the 2010 World Cup as a priority," said Khoza.

"It provides us with the challenge of roping in top professionals and quality people not only from our country, but throughout the continent, to make the 2010 World Cup a successful and memorable event."

Jordaan said: "It has never happened in Fifa's 100 years that an emblem for a World Cup has been unveiled before the present one is over.

"Germany unveiled theirs two years after the Korea/Japan World Cup. This is proof that we are way ahead of schedule. It is very exciting to be involved in two parallel processes - the close of the German World Cup and the beginning of SA 2010."

The high-profile event will be held at Berlin's Temp odrom. It will start at 2pm and will be attended by Mbeki and Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

The ceremony will be followed by the "Football for a Better World" concert that will see South African group Freshlyground share the stage with world-renowned artists.

Artists lined up for the concert include Sean Paul, Youssou N'Dour of Senegal, Die Fantastischen Vier of Germany and German-based South African-born Xavier Naidoo.

The concert will be a fitting close to the continuous fan festival that has been organised by the 12 different World Cup host cities.

"It's a great idea to respond to the unexpected success of the Fan Fest in this way, bringing the event to a climax with a major concert," said Michael Donnermeier, speaker of the Berlin Senate.

Fifa communications director Markus Siegler said: "The concert will also represent a bridge between Germany and South Africa, between the present and future World Cup hosts." The MC will be Bavarian comedian Michael Mittermeier.

The SA World Cup 2010 LOC is also expected to put on a spectacular show at the event. It will serve as an appertiser for what visitors can expect in the country in 2010.

All members of the LOC, including Safa president Molefi Oliphant, Khoza, Jordaan, Natasha Tsichlas, Kaizer Motaung, Naspers chief executive Koos Bekker and government ministers including Makhenkhesi Stofile, Jeff Radebe, Charles Nqakula, Jabu Moleketi and others are expected to be present.

The event will take place two days before the World Cup final in Berlin on Sunday, July 9.

---------------------------------

They better get the job on the ground done, before partying prematurely! An emblem is nothing without a Cup.

Man U games provide early World Cup pointer

June 28 2006 at 09:23AM

By Sy Lerman

South Africans, by and large, do not believe in the principle of reserved seating at soccer matches. And they are not too happy either having to pay anything but a minimal amount for admission.

These are two facets among a not inconsiderable number to which local soccer fans will need to conform to widely-accepted international standards before the hosting the 2010 World Cup.

And, with this in mind, the organisers of the series of friendly matches involving Manchester United, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates next month - which are masquerading under the banner of the Vodacom Challenge tournament - will provide some early, but revealing pointers.

Prices will vary from R55 to R350
Tickets for the four games at the King's Park Rugby Stadium in Durban (Saturday, July 15), Newlands Stadium in Cape Town (Tuesday, July 18), the Royal Bafokeng Palace in Rustenburg (Thursday, July 20) and the final fixture at Loftus in Pretoria (Saturday, July 22) are already on sale.

And although a good deal cheaper than admission promises to be at the World Cup in 2010, the prices are considerably higher than South Africans are accustomed to forking out for soccer matches.

Prices will vary from R55 to R350 for the series of four games in which United are bizarrely assured of a place in the so-called final - even if they are the least successful of the three competing teams after three matches.

And organisers Sail have also announced the introduction of a "reserved seating only" policy at all four games, with the series forming an early platform for the introduction of various other safety and security measures that will be mandatory at the World Cup in 2010.

The success or otherwise of these innovations will undoubtedly be examined with microscopic intensity by the 2010 Word Cup Organising Committee. - Sapa

http://iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=79&art_id=qw1151471161404S163

they used reserve seating and had higher prices at the South Africa -England game in durban back in 2003... but i'm surprised they dont use it in normal matches!

These are Durban's transport plans for 2010 based on 2 scenarios, current and new airport (I got these from a speech the Durbs mayor gave last year Oct. Link at the bottom). Didn't know if this thread or aviation thread would be more appropriate but posted here as it covers all transport issues in the city associated with 2010, incl air.

It would be interesting to see the other cities' plans (esp JHB - transporting people to/from the stadium).

----------------------

WC 2010 SEMI FINAL: DURBAN TRANSPORT STATEMENT ON DIA vs KING SHAKA/DUBE AIRPORT PASSENGER NUMBERS

All indications suggest that King Shaka Airport will at best only be operational by 2009.It is also certain that the new airport will not materially influence the number of direct flights to the City by 2010. It will take some time for Airlines to make dramatic changes in terms of shifting direct flights to Durban. In any case the main focus of the new airport is the development of a logistics hub with a strong freight bias. The conclusion from this is the new airport will not materially influence the number of visitors by air.

SCENARIO 1:DIA

34000 international spectators and 26000 regional spectators are expected for the semi final match. A substantial proportion will come by air. This will occur over a period of time possibly days. Taking into consideration the modal splits, this translates to about 240 luxury coach trips and possibly about 5000 hired car trips from the airport. This volume of traffic over a few days will be easily accommodated from the airport into the City and other accommodation areas. The surge demand after the match is certainly the more critical aspect that will need special attention.The proposal to use the Reunion Station and the commuter rail line has certainly enormous potential. This proposal has the potential to provide easy access for visitors from DIA via a pedestrian bridge or Travelator (moving sidewalk) type system to access Reunion Station (upgraded) and then travel to Durban Station on fully refurbished train coaches. Visitors can then access either the people mover or similar system to move to their accommodation points. In this way the road vehicles as computed above i.e.arriving and departing from the airport will be drastically reduced by as much as 50%.

TRAVEL TIME:

Road: Distance to the CBD 16 km & 25 min travel time to CBD during peakRail: Distance to Durban Station 16km & travel time 27 min Road and rail linkages Adequate for the expected demand. Only one main freeway (M4 Southern Freeway), which is limiting from an incident management perspective. Plenty of spare capacity onrail.

Information from DIA:

DIA has a current theoretical capacity of 5million passengers/annum and the current demand is about 2.8 million passengers /annum. This means that DIA should be able to cope with air passengers for the semi final with substantial improvements required onbaggage handling facilities and the like.

Comment: The limiting factor will be on ACSA air side. The road /rail interface public transport services will be able to cope with moving visitors as they exit and enter theairport. The biggest challenge will be after the match when spectators would need to go back possibly the day after or later. The surge demand on the outward trip will be much more severe than the inbound demand and again the limiting factor will be how fast the planes can take passengers out of the airport as opposed to how fast public transport can transport them to the airport.

SCENARIO 2:KING SHAKA AIRPORT /DUBE TRADEPORT READY FOR 2010

Exactly the same demand profile as DIA. There is also the Nyaninga Station near King Shaka Airport, which can be linked to the rail with an appropriate mode with an upgraded station and refurbished train coaches. At Durban station end, visitors will similarly use the people mover or similar system. Due to the longer travel time and distance to the CBD it is anticipated that a larger number of coaches would be required to cater for the demand than the DIA site. Similarly more train sets would be required to provide a similar frequency to the DIA site

TRAVEL TIME: Road: Distance to CBD 36 km & 40 min travel time to CBD during peak Rail: Distance to Durban Station 36 km & travel time 30 min Road and rail linkages Adequate for the expected demand. Two major freeways available (N2 & M4 /Northern Freeway) the two freeways provide more flexibility from an incident management perspective. There is certainly more capacity on the northern approaches to the City than the southern approaches. Plenty spare capacity on rail. New interchange will be required on N2.

http://www.sacities.net/2005/fifa_31oct2005_mayor_mlaba.pdf

-----------------------------

Finally an update about the CT stadium (bottom half of article)...

--------------------------------------

World Cup: World's eyes will soon turn to SA

Cape Town, South Africa

29 June 2006 04:48

As the 2006 Soccer World Cup draws to a close in Germany, the eyes of the world will focus on South Africa to see if it is ready to host the next one, says the Cabinet.

In a statement issued by government communications on Thursday, it noted the emblem for the 2010 World Cup will be unveiled in Berlin on July 7.

"As the 2006 Fifa World Cup reaches its climax in Germany, the world will be watching us carefully to judge whether we will be ready to host this prestigious event."

The statement said the Cabinet is confident the country will be ready, and called on all sectors "to work together in a national effort to ensure that South Africa hosts the best World Cup ever on behalf of Africa".

It congratulated the five African countries that represented the continent in the competition in Germany, "in particular Ghana for reaching the quarterfinals and carrying the torch, on behalf of millions of Africans around the world, and playing like true champions against the current world champions, Brazil".

Ghana, in fact, fell out in the second round and did not reach the quarterfinals.

The 2006 World Cup final will be played in Berlin on July 9.

Cape Town stadium

Meanwhile, a business plan for Cape Town's 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium shows a "positive outlook" for the long-term viability of the project, Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool and city mayor Helen Zille said on Thursday.

In a joint statement, they said the plan, which covers operational but not capital costs, and projected profits, is part of a progress report they received on Wednesday.

"Serious work is continuing on several possible sites for the proposed stadium," they said. "By the end of July 2006 we will present a full assessment of the various options open to us."

An estimate of the capital costs of the stadium and related infrastructure will be ready then.

Once a financial model for the capital expenditure is completed, the city and province will together approach the National Treasury to secure funding.

The design and study phases for the stadium are on schedule, and all deadlines will be met.

"We will, at all stages, work together to ensure that the planning for the hosting of a successful World Cup in the interests of Cape Town and the province," they said. -- Sapa

http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__sport/&articleid=275834

thanx for the transport article jerome...guess the airline figures they gave were real old...2,8m pa...last year was 3,6m odd...

Tram system mooted for Durban
Carvin Goldstone
June 30 2006 at 09:24AM

Senior city officials hinted on Thursday that Durban would opt for a tram system for the much-anticipated permanent "people-mover" network.

Other options have included a monorail.

Addressing Durban's diplomatic corps on Thursday, the city's Head of Strategic Planning, Julie-May Ellingson, said Durban's major transport plan involved a tram system linking all the key tourism nodes and the King's Park Sporting Precinct, where the new 70 000-seater stadium would be built.

"We have had expressions of interest from American and French companies and we firmly believe we can have a tram system in place by 2010."

Ellingson and City Manager Michael Sutcliffe have just returned from a visit to Germany, which is hosting the 2006 soccer World Cup.


She said the interim people-mover - comprising 10 luxury buses operating along a route linking uShaka Marine World, Suncoast Casino and the Durban city centre - should be operational by August.

Ellingson and Sutcliffe on Thursday unveiled a strategic plan to transform the entire beachfront from uShaka to Blue Lagoon into a "fan zone" - for the 2010 World Cup - which would boast underground parking and a tram system to back up the interim people-mover.

The city council agreed at Thursday's council meting at the KwaMashu Sport and Recreation Centre to increase funding for the first phase of redevelopment of the old Sea World site - known as the West Street beach node - by R4,6-million. This will take the estimated cost to the council for the promenade improvement to R18,6-million.

The city will also build an underground parkade at the West Street node and it has plans to extend the wide pedestrian promenade stretching from Blue Lagoon to uShaka.

The Honorary Consul for South Korea, Rory Macpherson, said the presentation had been exciting and had showed the city was committed to providing a world-class environment. However, he said he was disappointed because the city had not referred to safety and security.

"The city has spent hundreds of millions on world-class facilities when we have a situation where crime is at such a high level," he said.

Macpherson felt Thursday's briefing would have been the perfect opportunity for the city to outline its plan for safety.

While the people-mover buses would boast closed-circuit television cameras, Macpherson said, there had been no indication as to who would monitor the cameras.

Sutcliffe said security was being handled superbly in Germany and would be a priority for Durban in 2010.

Key 2010 official all fired up after trip

June 30 2006 at 07:19PM

By Michael Morris & Heinz de Boer

Cape Town's key official in the city's 2010 soccer World Cup preparations has returned from a 10-day visit to Germany with invaluable on-the-spot insights into the challenges of hosting the mega-event and the scope for extracting advantages.

Teral Cullen, who has spent much of the past few days sharing her experience with city colleagues who will play a role in gearing up for Cape Town's part in the next World Cup, said she was in no doubt that being on the spot in Germany was invaluable.

"You really need to be there to get a real sense of what it takes to successfully host an event of this kind.


"The scale of things is unimaginable until you are there to experience it.

"It's invaluable to have a sense of what works, and how, and what strategies have been put in place," Cullen said, adding: "I have no doubt South Africans are up to the challenge."

The 2010 director was joined in Germany by senior transport official Donald Cupido - they were part of a 90-strong Fifa delegation - on a fact-finding trip that cost ratepayers R80 000.

The spending was approved by the mayoral committee in mid-May as an essential part of Cape Town's preparations for the World Cup.

Mayoral committee member for finance Ian Neilson also visited Germany from June 16 to 25 as a guest of the German government.

Neilson and Cullen return to Germany within the next week - Neilson for an "executive programme", and Cullen for a three-day World Cup exhibition in Berlin.

Cape Town's modest and uncontroversial contribution to South African delegations visiting this year's World Cup host country is in sharp contrast to a mounting furore in KwaZulu-Natal, where the provincial administration is being asked to explain spending of upward of R320 000 on sending more than a dozen municipal and provincial officials to Germany.

The Daily News reports that at least 16 municipal and provincial administration employees were visiting or were bound for Germany, and the DA and IFP had questioned the justification.

DA provincial leader Roger Burrows said the party wanted it to be demonstrated how the region's large delegation would be useful to the public.

And IFP sport spokesperson Bonginkosi Dlamini cautioned that South Africa could not afford to waste taxpayers' money on duplicated fact-finding missions.

KwaZulu-Natal Sports and Recreation MEC Amichand Rajbansi said the trips by fact-finding and technical delegations were justified and would help prepare host cities in terms of safety, road infrastructure and cultural exchange.

Pietermaritzburg, however, was forking out more than R200 000 to send three councillors and a single official municipal official to help market the city as a potential 2010 destination.

Much of the controversy in KwaZulu-Natal focuses on provincial transport department head Kwazi Mbanjwa, who is to visit Germany with five other administration officials.

# Sapa reports that a business plan for Cape Town's 2010 soccer World Cup stadium showed a "positive outlook" for the long-term viability of the project, Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool and city mayor Helen Zille said on Thursday.

In a joint statement, they said the plan, which covered operational - but not capital - costs, and projected profits, was part of a progress report they received on Wednesday.

"Serious work is continuing on several possible sites for the proposed stadium," Rasool and Zille said.

By the end of next month, they would present "a full assessment of the various options open to us".

An estimate of the capital costs of the stadium and related infrastructure would be ready then.

The design and study phases for the stadium were on schedule, and all deadlines would be met, they said.

Canada to Give Mpumalanga Tips On Better Environmental Management

BuaNews (Tshwane)
NEWS
June 30, 2006
Posted to the web June 30, 2006

By Sizwe Samayende
Nelspruit

Mpumalanga will send a delegation of cabinet members and mayors to Canada next month to explore best practices in environmental management.

Canada's Alberta province has a twinning agreement with Mpumalanga.

Provincial government spokesperson Lebona Mosia said on Thursday that Canada was chosen because of its excellent environmental and water resource management systems.

"These facilities were observed by the premier [Thabang Makwetla] during his visit last year," Mosia said.

He said the decision to go to Canada was taken by the provincial executive committee during its sitting in Bushbuckridge on Wednesday.

The committee has also agreed that time frames should be set to prepare for the 2010 Soccer World Cup games that will be played in the province.

"These include the legacy infrastructure plans that must be developed. Other areas that focus must be put on include the hospitality and entertainment industries," Mosia said.

Mr Makwetla has returned from a week-long expedition to the state of North Rhine Westphalia in Germany to see how that province was hosting the current world cup games.

North Rhine Westphalia also has a twinning agreement with Mpumalanga, and has three venues that are hosting some of current games; in Dortmund, Cologne and Gelsenkirchen.

Mr Makwetla briefed the committee about the visit.

The construction of Mpumalanga's soccer stadium is set to begin in September, and it is estimated that it will cost about R600 million.

The Premier has since invited Germans to come and help Mpumalanga prepare for the soccer showpiece after July 9.

During the visit, a declaration of intent was signed by Mpumalanga's culture, sports and recreation department and the North Rhine Westphalia ministry of inter-generational affairs, family, women and integration.

The declaration aims to establish co-operation and collaboration in youth development through sport.

The areas of co-operation would include sport management, coaching, mentoring and general capacity building in sport development.

A business plan is still to be drafted, and would specify the involvement of teachers and club coaches in sport lessons.

Rasool, Zille join forces for stadium construction

Ebrahim Rasool and Helen Zille will join forces for stadium construction
June 29, 2006, 07:15

Ebrahim Rasool, the premier of the Western Cape and Helen Zille, the Unicity mayor, have joined forces to speed-up the construction of the Green Point Stadium in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Zille had earlier raised concerns around financial modelling regarding the project.

Yesterday, stakeholders, architects and building specialists all met with the local government to discuss the way forward. Despite the issue of capital costs remaining unresolved - parties involved said they are determined to reach a solution.

During discussions, Rasool conceded that Germany's impressive hosting of the current World Cup is a tough act to follow but said that it can be matched. The design team is expected to submit all business plans for the construction by the end of tomorrow.

Zille gave her reassurance yesterday that all deadlines would be met. Rasool added that the design team would be on site by January 2007.

http://www.sabcnews.com/article/images/0,1059,38573,00.gif

visit to view a video insert as well if you have Real one Media player
(you really should watch it...athlone stadiums grand stand looks mighty impressive in these shots!!)
http://www.sabcnews.com/politics/the_provinces/0,2172,130218,00.html

Green light given to Green Point Stadium


June 24, 2006, 10:30

The Western Cape football fraternity has unanimously given it's support for the Green Point Stadium as a venue for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. This emerged at a meeting called by the Western Cape sports and recreation department.

Mandla Yeki, a spokesperson, says the delegates condemned the continued disagreements between the Unicity and the provincial government on the issue surrounding the Greepoint stadium. He says Whitey Jacobs, the provincial sport minister, will meet with Ebrahim Rasool, the premier, and the Helen Zille, the Unicity executive mayor, to resolve the outstanding issues around construction of the stadium as a venue for the World Cup in four years' time

Green light given to Green Point Stadium


June 24, 2006, 10:30

The Western Cape football fraternity has unanimously given it's support for the Green Point Stadium as a venue for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. This emerged at a meeting called by the Western Cape sports and recreation department.

Mandla Yeki, a spokesperson, says the delegates condemned the continued disagreements between the Unicity and the provincial government on the issue surrounding the Greepoint stadium. He says Whitey Jacobs, the provincial sport minister, will meet with Ebrahim Rasool, the premier, and the Helen Zille, the Unicity executive mayor, to resolve the outstanding issues around construction of the stadium as a venue for the World Cup in four years' time

Thanks for all the WC news, Mo. I personally think a stadium in Greenpoint would look best (with Table Mountain in the background and its proximity to other attractions in the city). Of course, whether it really is the best location based on *logistics* is another story. My Capetonian friends think Greenpoint would be a disaster. Apparently a stadium there would necessiate major road and other transport upgrades. Moreover, regardless of which authorities support it (provincial, city, or football), the biggest challenge will come from Greenpoint residents. Their threatened legal challenge could tie up the process for years.

SA losing 2010 a laughable notion - Jordaan

July 02 2006 at 03:38PM

Claims that South Africa could lose the 2010 Soccer World Cup were "laughable" and "absolute nonsense", said Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of the local organising committee for the event.

"What has changed since we won the World Cup? Why will we suddenly now lose it?" Jordaan asked from Germany.

"We must be serious about how we present our country to the outside world. We are not serious."

Jordaan also said he was "not interested" in stories of that nature.

'We must be serious'
"I heard about the story, but I'm really not interested in it."

He was reacting to a newspaper report that the international soccer management body, Fifa, was working on a back-up plan to move the 2010 Soccer World Cup to Australia.

Reasons cited for the possibility that South Africa might lose the opportunity to present the World Cup were violent crime, a third world public transport system, the problem of HIV and Aids and insufficient accommodation.

The newspaper also reported that Jordaan's standard answer that everything was going according to plan and was ahead of schedule was leading to increasing cynicism.

Earlier in the week ANC MP and chairperson of parliament's transport portfolio committee Jeremy Cronin criticised the government's transport policies.

"We've got a very, very substantial crisis around transport mobility and accessibility," he told journalists at a Cape Town Press Club meeting.

Cronin said transport policy in the 1990s had proved "disastrous".

"I'm afraid to say that in the first decade of ANC government, transport was a terribly neglected area." - Sapa

As most of you know there has been much talk surrounding 2010 and inter-city transport infrastructure that is available to spectators in Germany, which is light years ahead of South Africa. I would however like to introduce some of you guys to this train service called Shosholoza Meyl which currently has trips between the cities, across the country

Shosholoza Meyl is the long-distance passenger services unit of Spoornet, the South African main-line railway operator. Shosholoza Meyl operates 8 train routes across South Africa [1], carrying approximately 4 million passengers annually

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Shosholoza_Meyl_routes.svg/691px-Shosholoza_Meyl_routes.svg.png

ROUTES:
[B]
Tourist Class

Tourist Class trains consist of sleeper accommodation only and replace the current Sleeper 4 and Sleeper 6 classes.

* Johannesburg - Cape Town - Johannesburg
*
o Johannesburg to Cape Town: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
o Cape Town to Johannesburg: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
* Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg
*
o Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth: Mondays and Fridays.
o Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg: Tuesdays and Sundays.
* Johannesburg - Durban - Johannesburg
*
o Johannesburg to Durban: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
o Durban to Johannesburg: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
* Cape Town - Durban - Cape Town
*
o Cape Town to Durban: Wednesdays.
o Durban to Cape Town: Fridays

Economy Class

Economy Class trains consist of sitter accommodation only and replace the current Sitter class.
Routes

* Johannesburg - Durban - Johannesburg: Daily, except Tuesdays.
* Johannesburg - Komatipoort - Johannesburg: Daily, except Saturdays.
* Cape Town - Durban - Cape Town: Mondays from Cape Town and Wednesdays from durban.
* cape Town - East London - Cape Town: Sundays from Cape Town and Tuesdays from East London.
* Johannesburg - East London - Johannesburg: Daily, except Saturdays.
* Johannesburg - Musina - Johannesburg: Daily, except Saturdays.
* Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg: Daily, except Saturdays.
* Johannesburg - Cape Town - Johannesburg: Daily.
* Johannesburg - Bloemfontein - Johannesburg: Fridays and Sundays in both directions.

Shosholoza Meyl tourist class trains: South Africa's cheap and safe long-distance passenger trains are one of South Africa's best-kept travel secrets. Cape Town to Johannesburg takes just over 24 hours and costs only 350 Rand (£32 or $58) one-way in a 3- or 6-berth sleeper, 520 Rand (£47 or $87) in a 2- or 4-berth sleeper. Durban to Johannesburg is even cheaper. Shosholoza Meyl's tourist class trains have comfortable modernised sleeping-cars and a restaurant car. The sleepers even have hot showers at the end of the corridor..! A great alternative to flying or spending whole days and nights on a long-distance bus. Shosholoza Meyl also run Economy Class trains with seats only.


Shosholoza Meyl fares:
One way fares, including sleeper: Sleeper-6 Sleeper-4 Economy
Cape Town to Johannesburg R335 (£28) R495 (£41) +/- 150
Cape Town to Durban R435 (£36) R645 (£53)
Johannesburg to Durban R165 (£14) R250 (£21)
I assumed economy class tickets are even cheaper.

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/1484/coachlayout6ui.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6189/sleeper48on.jpg

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/118/sleeper60iw.jpg

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/7922/sitter5wh.jpg

Luggage

All Tourist and Economy services provide for the transportation of luggage.
Catering and on-board services

These services continue to be provided on both train classes.
Car Transportation

Car transportation is available on Tourist Class trains on the Johannesburg - Cape Town - Johannesburg route.
General

* For more information on timetables and fares, contact the Shosholoza Meyl Central Reservations Office on 086 000 8888.
* Revised timetables will be available at Shosholoza Meyl offices from 12 June 2006.

With a combination of reduced fares, improved passenger service and comfort, increased security on these already safe trains, increased trips to various cities during the world cup month to meet demand, investments in train stations in all major cities and a strict timetable will help in moving spectators between various cities. As the infrastructure already exists between these cities, investing in this service is vital. Efficient airports and cheap flights e.g. kulula, one time and possibly other airlines, will also aid in dealing with the constant travel between cities during the world cup month. As it currently stands 8/9 cities to host world cup matches are serviced by this train. A link from johannesburg to Rustenburg should not be a problem, given their distance from each other.

Thanks for all the WC news, Mo. I personally think a stadium in Greenpoint would look best (with Table Mountain in the background and its proximity to other attractions in the city). Of course, whether it really is the best location based on *logistics* is another story. My Capetonian friends think Greenpoint would be a disaster. Apparently a stadium there would necessiate major road and other transport upgrades. Moreover, regardless of which authorities support it (provincial, city, or football), the biggest challenge will come from Greenpoint residents. Their threatened legal challenge could tie up the process for years.
the view..

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/images/20060701T180000-0500_108162_OBS_WILD_SOUTH_AFRICA__1.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/456/va59cz.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/2387/24730181metropolitangolfclubca.jpg

Ahead 2010: S/Africa Wants African World Cup
07.03.2006

As South Africa takes on the responsibility of organizing the next World Cup, exuberance -- and not necessarily efficiency -- appears to be the name of the game.
FIFA kicks off the journey to the 2010 World Cup at a ceremony in Berlin this Friday. Dubbed "Africa's Calling," it will be attended by South African President Thabo Mbeki and African soccer greats including George Weah, Abedi Pele and Roger Milla.
But will South Africa be ready?
"It will be a world-class event," organizing committee head Danny Jordaan said. "We are looking at a celebration of Africa."
South Africans are gearing up for the biggest national party since the end of apartheid in 1994. More spontaneous than the normally reserved Germans, they are promising to give visitors a welcome they never will forget.
"We want the event to showcase South Africa and also to leave an enduring and lasting legacy for the whole continent," Jordaan said here in Germany.
True, visiting fans will be confronted with poverty and unsightly shacks, and crime is shockingly high.
But that didn't tarnish the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations or the 2003 cricket World Cup.
"There are many challenges, but we have faced many, many challenges in the past," Jordaan said. "We are determined to succeed."
Transportation is the biggest headache on the horizon. Authorities plan to spend about $1.4 billion on upgrades to airports, roads and railway lines. The improvements will be sorely needed before raucous soccer fans arrive by the thousands, demanding swift passage to the next match.
Air travelers arriving at the commercial hub of Johannesburg currently transfer their own luggage between international and domestic terminals. In contrast to Germany's superb intercity transport system, there are no high-speed trains to whisk fans around South Africa.
The creation of a much-vaunted high-speed train link between the airport and the capital city of Pretoria, an hour's drive away, looks increasingly doubtful. And suburban trains are notoriously prone to strikes, breakdowns and muggings.
"We have the Blue Train," Jordaan said, referring to a luxurious hotel train for pampered passengers, who dress for dinner on a lingering, 27-hour journey.
"I certainly believe that with the so-called crime or transport or all these perceived problems that we
South Africans will be able to overcome the challenges," said Raymond Hack, CEO of the South African Football Association.
The government has set 2010 as a target to replace all old and dangerous minibus taxis -- the backbone of the transport system. But even if the fleet is modernized, it will be inadequate for the sheer number of passengers involved. Private cars likely will have to fill the gap.
One option would be to minimize travel by basing all four teams in each group in one city for first-round matches.
Jordaan, who has been a delegate at the past four World Cups, says the concept of the Fan Fest -- with tens of thousands of ticket-less fans enjoying each match on big screens in a party atmosphere -- likely will be expanded.
"It's going to be a very important aspect of the tournament as there will be even greater demand than in Germany," said Jordaan, mindful that tickets will be far out of the price range of most Africans.
The government has budgeted an additional $823 million to build and renovate 10 stadiums. Organizers insist all is going according to schedule, though there are few signs of any work starting.
The plan is to upgrade five stadiums and build two new ones for the semifinals, in the Indian Ocean city of Durban and south-coast Cape Town. The northern town of Polokwane, the northeastern city of Nelspruit near Kruger National Park and the southern port city of Port Elizabeth also have new stadiums planned.
Durban wants to use the 80,000-seat King Senzangakhona Stadium as the centerpiece of a future
But there is less enthusiasm in Cape Town about the planned 68,000-capacity arena to be built on a historic golf course near the city center. The original intention was for Cape Town to only host a first-round match at its Newlands rugby stadium, but the organizing committee and FIFA decided that the country's top tourist destination was worthy of a semifinal.
Mayor Helen Zille, elected after the decision was made, says the project was hastily conceived, will overload transport and sewer systems and diverts funds away from housing and social projects. Local critics say the venue was chosen to pander to the whims of sponsors because if offers a magnificent backdrop of Table Mountain.
South Africa's government maintains the benefits far outweigh the costs, citing estimates that the World Cup will pump around $3.5 billion into the economy and create 159,000 jobs. The tourist industry, in particular, is predicting a boom and is upbeat that there will be enough hotels and guest houses to cope.
In 1994, the year of South Africa's first democratic election, there were 3 million foreign visitors. Last year, 7.4 million tourists came to experience South Africa's spectacular wildlife, stunning scenery and rich culture.
An event such as the World Cup could be a boon to the image of Africa, which is perceived as a continent full of strife and conflict.
"I think when people realize that most African countries are not like that, that they will definitely attract a lot more business potential and tourist potential," said economist Mike Schussler.
Hardly a day passes without politicians and business leaders extolling the World Cup as a chance to boost an already thriving economy. But the initial euphoria has given way to realism that FIFA, rather than South Africa, likely will take most of the profits.
The European broadcasting rights alone are worth $1.2 billion, and there are a string of lucrative sponsorship contracts which -- among others -- will allow FIFA partner Budweiser to bar South African beer Castle from the stadium.
FIFA insists that it will share the spoils. Its "Win in Africa with Africa" project, being launched also on Friday, promises to develop African soccer by training executives and building new fields, as well as to promote community and social initiatives.
What FIFA can't do is rebuild the national soccer team, which didn't make it to this year's World Cup and is without a coach.
But South Africa can be relieved that, as host in 2010, it automatically qualifies.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=52095

Ahead 2010: S/Africa Wants African World Cup
07.03.2006

As South Africa takes on the responsibility of organizing the next World Cup, exuberance -- and not necessarily efficiency -- appears to be the name of the game.
FIFA kicks off the journey to the 2010 World Cup at a ceremony in Berlin this Friday. Dubbed "Africa's Calling," it will be attended by South African President Thabo Mbeki and African soccer greats including George Weah, Abedi Pele and Roger Milla.
But will South Africa be ready?
"It will be a world-class event," organizing committee head Danny Jordaan said. "We are looking at a celebration of Africa."
South Africans are gearing up for the biggest national party since the end of apartheid in 1994. More spontaneous than the normally reserved Germans, they are promising to give visitors a welcome they never will forget.
"We want the event to showcase South Africa and also to leave an enduring and lasting legacy for the whole continent," Jordaan said here in Germany.
True, visiting fans will be confronted with poverty and unsightly shacks, and crime is shockingly high.
But that didn't tarnish the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations or the 2003 cricket World Cup.
"There are many challenges, but we have faced many, many challenges in the past," Jordaan said. "We are determined to succeed."
Transportation is the biggest headache on the horizon. Authorities plan to spend about $1.4 billion on upgrades to airports, roads and railway lines. The improvements will be sorely needed before raucous soccer fans arrive by the thousands, demanding swift passage to the next match.
Air travelers arriving at the commercial hub of Johannesburg currently transfer their own luggage between international and domestic terminals. In contrast to Germany's superb intercity transport system, there are no high-speed trains to whisk fans around South Africa.
The creation of a much-vaunted high-speed train link between the airport and the capital city of Pretoria, an hour's drive away, looks increasingly doubtful. And suburban trains are notoriously prone to strikes, breakdowns and muggings.
"We have the Blue Train," Jordaan said, referring to a luxurious hotel train for pampered passengers, who dress for dinner on a lingering, 27-hour journey.
"I certainly believe that with the so-called crime or transport or all these perceived problems that we
South Africans will be able to overcome the challenges," said Raymond Hack, CEO of the South African Football Association.
The government has set 2010 as a target to replace all old and dangerous minibus taxis -- the backbone of the transport system. But even if the fleet is modernized, it will be inadequate for the sheer number of passengers involved. Private cars likely will have to fill the gap.
One option would be to minimize travel by basing all four teams in each group in one city for first-round matches.
Jordaan, who has been a delegate at the past four World Cups, says the concept of the Fan Fest -- with tens of thousands of ticket-less fans enjoying each match on big screens in a party atmosphere -- likely will be expanded.
"It's going to be a very important aspect of the tournament as there will be even greater demand than in Germany," said Jordaan, mindful that tickets will be far out of the price range of most Africans.
The government has budgeted an additional $823 million to build and renovate 10 stadiums. Organizers insist all is going according to schedule, though there are few signs of any work starting.
The plan is to upgrade five stadiums and build two new ones for the semifinals, in the Indian Ocean city of Durban and south-coast Cape Town. The northern town of Polokwane, the northeastern city of Nelspruit near Kruger National Park and the southern port city of Port Elizabeth also have new stadiums planned.
Durban wants to use the 80,000-seat King Senzangakhona Stadium as the centerpiece of a future
But there is less enthusiasm in Cape Town about the planned 68,000-capacity arena to be built on a historic golf course near the city center. The original intention was for Cape Town to only host a first-round match at its Newlands rugby stadium, but the organizing committee and FIFA decided that the country's top tourist destination was worthy of a semifinal.
Mayor Helen Zille, elected after the decision was made, says the project was hastily conceived, will overload transport and sewer systems and diverts funds away from housing and social projects. Local critics say the venue was chosen to pander to the whims of sponsors because if offers a magnificent backdrop of Table Mountain.
South Africa's government maintains the benefits far outweigh the costs, citing estimates that the World Cup will pump around $3.5 billion into the economy and create 159,000 jobs. The tourist industry, in particular, is predicting a boom and is upbeat that there will be enough hotels and guest houses to cope.
In 1994, the year of South Africa's first democratic election, there were 3 million foreign visitors. Last year, 7.4 million tourists came to experience South Africa's spectacular wildlife, stunning scenery and rich culture.
An event such as the World Cup could be a boon to the image of Africa, which is perceived as a continent full of strife and conflict.
"I think when people realize that most African countries are not like that, that they will definitely attract a lot more business potential and tourist potential," said economist Mike Schussler.
Hardly a day passes without politicians and business leaders extolling the World Cup as a chance to boost an already thriving economy. But the initial euphoria has given way to realism that FIFA, rather than South Africa, likely will take most of the profits.
The European broadcasting rights alone are worth $1.2 billion, and there are a string of lucrative sponsorship contracts which -- among others -- will allow FIFA partner Budweiser to bar South African beer Castle from the stadium.
FIFA insists that it will share the spoils. Its "Win in Africa with Africa" project, being launched also on Friday, promises to develop African soccer by training executives and building new fields, as well as to promote community and social initiatives.
What FIFA can't do is rebuild the national soccer team, which didn't make it to this year's World Cup and is without a coach.
But South Africa can be relieved that, as host in 2010, it automatically qualifies.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=52095

another one of those articles written by uninformed people.

Fifa denies SA may lose 2010 World Cup
Jermaine Craig
July 03 2006 at 07:15AM

Fifa has "absolutely, categorically" denied that it has a contingency plan to move the 2010 Soccer World Cup to Australia if South Africa is unable to host the event.

An Afrikaans Sunday newspaper reported that South Africa's chances of hosting the World Cup were getting slimmer by the day and that there were "whispers in the corridors of soccer power" that the event could be moved from the country.

"That's absolutely untrue, 100 percent. There's no contingency plan at all. Someone's made that up," the head of Fifa's South African office, Michael Palmer, told The Star on Sunday.

"The president of Fifa, Sepp Blatter, has spent years ensuring the event goes to Africa, Fifa has an office and employees in South Africa and there have been over 60 South Africans on Fifa observer programmes at Germany 2006. Only to then take the event somewhere else?


'It just genuinely is not true'
"We absolutely, categorically deny it, we won't even discuss it. It just genuinely is not true," said Palmer.

Citing a "third world" public transport system, a renewed wave of crime, HIV and a shortage of accommodation, the weekend report said Fifa officials were working on an "emergency" plan to take the event to Australia.

South Africa 2010 World Cup chief executive officer Danny Jordaan declined to comment on the report, but Palmer, an Australian, said Fifa is "more committed than ever to making a success of the World Cup in South Africa".

"There's no contingency plan at all. It's going to be in South Africa and that's the end of it," he said.

The report also said there would be a shortage of accommodation for 120 000 people in 2010.

'It's a mega event'
Adam Brown, a representative of Match Services, a company mandated by Fifa to do the operational running of the accommodation, ticketing and information technology solutions until the 2014 World Cup, said the figure of 120 000 beds short was not taking into account the nature of a World Cup event.

"It's a mega event. We're not saying its simple and that there aren't any complications, but saying you're 120 000 beds short is nonsense.

"It's not taking into account the nature of the event," said Brown, who has been based in South Africa for a year.

"You need to take into account the movement of people within the country and at different stages of the World Cup. That's a managerial excuse and the process is to take a historical point of view.

"You can look at what happened in Germany. There are dips between matches, with people coming in from the United Kingdom, Holland or France, staying for a day or two and returning home.

"That won't happen in South Africa - people won't travel from Europe and South America for one day."

Brown said that in terms of the South African situation, the US World Cup 1994 gave a much better insight, in terms of distance between cities and length of time people stayed in different places.

"The people involved with Fifa in 1994 are still with Fifa and have a very strong understanding of the various trends within accommodation for a World Cup country.

"We know the needs, the requirements and expectations.

"We know what the situation has been in Germany and will analyse that and say what is needed to raise the bar in South Africa.

"That's what the president of Fifa, Sepp Blatter, said in Germany - that every World Cup must raise the bar," said Brown.

Silencing the sceptics

July 3, 2006

A weekend newspaper report claiming Fifa has put in place a contingency plan to shift the 2010 World Cup from South Africa to Australia has been vigorously denied by all concerned.

Fifa representatives and South African organisers were united yesterday in insisting that the event would go ahead in this country as scheduled.

And it does seem highly unlikely that Fifa president Sepp Blatter would contemplate taking the showpiece event elsewhere after campaigning so strongly for it to come to Africa.

That said, the concerns raised by the weekend paper’s sources are valid, most particularly those around the inadequate public transport system and crime.
We would suggest, however, that these challenges present South Africa with an opportunity rather than any sort of setback.

Public transport in this country is generally abysmal and the levels of crime are too high, but we now have a prescribed time frame – and a wonderful reason – within which to address such problems.
Click here


World Cup 2010 offers us an opportunity to meet some of the biggest challenges facing this country and to simultaneously project it into a successful future. A successful event will surely boost the country both in terms of investment and increased tourism.

And even more is at stake: the perception of this entire continent as being a basket case. The legions of Afrosceptics will surely be silenced by a world-class African event of this magnitude.

It is therefore beholden on all involved – from government ministers and the competition organisers to ordinary members of the public – to get solidly behind this effort. Collectively, we can silence the naysayers.

Yesterday, front page headlines were written to shock us into that reality. Australia has been put on standby, we are told, should South Africa not be ready to host the event in four years.

The scaremongers will have us believe there are fears whether or not we will be able to build our stadiums in time, or whether we will have a transport network capable of handling the event. Maybe we won't - but the show will go on.

Worryingly, and almost unbelievably, there's a lot of naievety within South Africans - and one's talking about people at the top end of the economic and social scale - about the magnitude of staging a global event.

One of this country's former sportswriters of the year is at the tournament at the moment, and in an article he expressed his surprise that "the trains in Germany run on time".

Undeniably, there's work to do, but rest assured, only civil war will stop the 2010 World Cup going ahead in this country. Now that's a comfort, isn't it?

Think of Athens and the 2004 Olympics. Organisers were years behind schedule and similar fears of the Games being held in Australia (Sydney, to be exact) were raised. They amounted to naught.


The same will happen to South Africa and 2010. Fifa themselves will, if they have to, send workers to erect the stadiums and transport networks. Those stadia could be made of papier maché for all they care - as long as they hold up for the event. The minute the likes of Sepp Blatter are airborne and headed home, it's all our problem again.

Sure, the taxpayer will foot the bill - which is why mayor Helen Zille gets my vote for refusing to simply sign our lives away without getting all the facts.

Of course, politics also comes into play. Africa will never have the World Cup taken away from her, not after being awarded the event. So fear not, we will stage the event.

Now, after building five new stadiums in record time, can anyone give us a decent coach to build a proper side?

Is there a coach out there?

Before the World Cup campaign, Safa announced a shortlist of seven for the vacant Bafana Bafana job. The magnificent seven were: Zico, Gérard Houllier, Phil Scolari, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Jomo Sono, Gordon Igesund and Claude le Roy. We anxiously await the next move.

At the World Cup, Zico's Japan were abysmal, while Parreira failed with a potentially great Brazilian team. Both spoiled their CVs. Houllier, as we revealed months ago, is eyeing Australia. Can Bafana really lure Phil Scolari, the Portugal coach now in the last four? That leaves Sono, Igesund and Le Roy. Unless there's someone not on that shortlist..?

Township stadium to be upgraded
03/07/2006 13:22 - (SA)

Nelspruit - A township stadium will be upgraded at a cost of R2.5m so that it can be used as a training ground for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The Ehlanzeni district municipality is providing the money to upgrade the KaNyamazane stadium outside Nelspruit.

Ehlanzeni executive mayor Khosi Mkhonto said the municipality's local economic development (LED) and tourism department was also ready to offer any assistance to local businesses.

"We're looking at having entrepreneurs from our district using opportunities that will be presented by the 2010 World Cup," she said.

Ehlanzeni district administers five local municipalities, namely, Mbombela in Nelspruit, Thaba Chweu in Lydenburg, Nkomazi in Malelane and Umjindi in Barberton and Bushbuckridge.

Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga provincial government is also gearing up for the soccer tournament.

Last month expert finance manager Desmond Golding was appointed as a deputy director-general to co-ordinate preparations for the World Cup.

Premier Thabang Makwetla has also confirmed that the construction of Mpumalanga's R600m soccer stadium would begin at Mataffin outside Nelspruit in September this year.

Makwetla has also visited the state of North Rhine Westphalia in Germany to see how that province was hosting the current World Cup games.

North Rhine Westphalia has a twinning agreement with Mpumalanga, and has three venues that are hosting some of current games; in Dortmund, Cologne and Gelsenkirchen.

Makwetla invited the Germans to come and advise Mpumalanga on its own preparations.

Mpumalanga's culture, sports and recreation department and the North Rhine Westphalia ministry of inter-generational affairs, family, women and integration have signed a declaration on intent.

The declaration aims to establish co-operation and collaboration in youth development through sport.

The areas of co-operation would include sport management, coaching, mentoring and general capacity building in sport development.

A business plan is still to be drafted, and would specify the involvement of teachers and club coaches in sport lessons.

Sapa

I hadn't even heard of those hideous Oz rumours until now. As if Oz even has a decent soccer culture.

Doomsayers be damned. I have no doubt that SA is going to host an amazing WC. The good thing is while the jury is still out on the sustainability of all the new stadiums, at miminum, the infrastructure upgrades (esp transport), which HAVE to take place by 2009, will be a legacy for all of us.

yeh...newspaper people are full of shit...i no respect for almost every single journalist. they are not professionals, they are liars.

yeh...newspaper people are full of shit...i no respect for almost every single journalist. they are not professionals, they are liars.
Most of them are just uninformed. They're the journalists who wait for press releases before they find out about a story. They feed on old information, because some of them themselves wouldn't know that australia is not capable with its current stadia to host a world cup in 2010.

Its the shock factor, they implimenting the UK tabliod tatics to sell papers

Its the shock factor, they implimenting the UK tabliod tatics to sell papers
not just the UK...the sad part is a south african newspaper (die rapport) came up with the story of moving the world cup to australia

Do jou guys think it's possible that Africa could also host the 2018 worldcup??Europe also got it twice in 1998 and 1996.

Do jou guys think it's possible that Africa could also host the 2018 worldcup??Europe also got it twice in 1998 and 1996.
will it actually happen? no.
is africa capable of hosting 2018. yes if south africa hosts again which is highly unlikely, we could consider morrocco and egypt in 2018, as being "technically" capable, but these countries dont have the necessary infrastructure to host a world cup. Egypt has cairo, alexandria...morroccoa has its good cities but it takes 8-10 cities, and i might sound slighty bias towards south africa, but the reality is that in 2018 perhaps other african countries could host it, but its very 50/50

Make 2010 the best World Cup ever, says Fifa
Jermaine Craig
July 04 2006 at 07:16AM

Days before the 2010 Soccer World Cup is officially handed over to South Africa, Fifa has urged the country to make 2010 "the best World Cup there's ever been".

"Fifa wants this to happen, really, really wants this to happen," the hugely enthusiastic head of Fifa's South African 2010 World Cup office, Michael Palmer, said in an exclusive interview.

"It's not as if Fifa's opposed to a World Cup in Africa, Fifa went out of its way to have a World Cup in Africa and there's no trepidation at all about having it there and having it delivered. People will say it will be difficult and that certain things won't be achieved, but if people want it to happen, it will happen. There needs to be a unity of excitement, but also of planning and delivery.


"I've seen nothing to suggest that won't happen," Palmer said.

'I've seen nothing to suggest that won't happen'
An Australian former stockbroker handpicked a year ago by Fifa to head its South African office in the build-up to 2010, Palmer said Fifa had very high hopes for Africa's first World Cup.

"From Fifa's point of view, as long as the integrity of the competition is going to be guaranteed, then Fifa will be happy."

"But we have bigger hopes for this, that the 2010 World Cup will change the world's perception of the African continent and provide wonderful opportunities for people in the future. The hope is that it will be the sporting event that does the most good for a country and a continent," said Palmer.

The Tasmanian was in charge of the test event programme for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, ran the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and was the head of venue management for the Uefa Champions League for three seasons before he was approached by Fifa in June 2005 to run its South African 2010 operation.

The 43-year-old was bowled over by the warmth and enthusiasm of South Africans and had no hesitation in accepting the job. "They flew me down and I immediately decided I wanted to do this. My first impression was of how excited everybody was.

'I've not been disappointed at all'
"It was one of the things that made the job really appealing. If you've got that many positive people, something good's got to happen. I thought this is going to be a great place to work and I've not been disappointed at all," said Palmer.

South Africa will be using 10 existing and new World Cup stadiums and Palmer says Fifa is confident they will be ready on time.

"The one thing I'm not worried about is the stadiums. There are good, experienced people working on them, and there's been real support from the South African government to get the funding in place. So we feel pretty confident about the stadiums. The South Africa 2010 Local Organising Committee has so far delivered for Fifa everything they were supposed to, ahead of schedule and our view of them at the moment is excellent. They have been working quietly behind the scenes, as Fifa have not wanted the focus taken away from Germany.

"That will change the moment Germany 2006 finishes, and then people will see how much progress the committee, government and cities have made. Having the host city agreements signed a year in advance was a major achievement, something not achieved in Germany," said Palmer.

He said the Germany 2006 organising committee had received much credit for its organisation and for concepts like the extremely successful Fan Fest project, where millions of fans had gathered to watch live matches on gigantic screens in every German World Cup city.

"I think it can be much bigger in South Africa and have a much better atmosphere. South Africa now has the opportunity to do this any way it wants," said Palmer.

As for the country's crime problems, Palmer acknowledged they are a reality, but his view is that South Africa is "not unsafe at all".

"It's no different to living anywhere else. You see the statistics and you read the stories and they are very sad.

"But to me there is certainly a perception that does not balance with the reality of living in South Africa," said Palmer.

When Fifa officially hands over the World Cup to South Africa at a ceremony in Berlin on Friday and when the final whistle is blown at the 2006 World Cup final on Sunday night, Palmer says it will be a time for South Africans to take great pride in their country.

"South Africans should wake up on Monday, July 10, with a real determination to make 2010 the best World Cup ever. They should be really excited. For the next four years the whole world will look to Africa," he said.

Berlin - Kofi Annan will help promote the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after his term as UN secretary general expires at the end of 2006, according to FIFA president Joseph Blatter.

'He will play a supporting role in the preparations,' Blatter told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

The South African 2010 World Cup logo will be unveiled at a ceremony called Africa's Calling in Berlin on Friday, which South African President Thabo Mbeki, Annan as well as Blatter will attend.

The FIFA boss, for whom the 2010 tournament is particularly important as he has always pushed for the finals to be held in Africa, has said he was concerned at delays that have marked the preparations so far.

'However, I will not let a few minor hiccups spoil this huge adventure.'

One of the issues that has been raised is the question of stadiums, with four new stadiums still having to be built and six others renovated or modernised.

Officials in the four cities where the stadiums are to be built (Cape Town, Nelspruit, Durban and Port Elizabeth), are adament that they will have no problems in having things ready well in time.

FIFA official Michael Palmer, who heads the FIFA office in South Africa said that he, too, is not worried about stadiums.

'There are good, experienced people working on them, and there's been real support from the South African government to get the funding in place. So we feel pretty confident about the stadiums.

'The South Africa 2010 local organizing committee has so far delivered for FIFA everything they were supposed to, ahead of schedule and our view of them at the moment is excellent.

'They have been working quietly behind the scenes, as FIFA have not wanted the focus taken away from Germany,' he told South African media.

South Africa will be the first African nation to host a World Cup.

The UN secretary general, who hails from Ghana, is due Friday to attend a meeting in Berlin to promote the 2010 tournament.

Sentech's 2010 television plans

4 July 2006

Sentech has announced plans to rollout Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in time for the 2010 World Cup. The upgrade is expected to cost about R1-billion over the next five years.

DTT is a digital technology that provides a greater number of channels and better quality of pictures and sound.

The company is optimistic that it will play a major role in the 2010 World Cup by ensuring that South Africa’s analogue broadcasting infrastructure is upgraded to a digital-ready terrestrial system.

Digital convergence
Punted to be the most significant revolution television has yet seen, Sentech spokesperson Bongi Potelwa said DTT would give users access to a multi-channel and multi-platform viewing experience.

"It is aimed at average TV viewers; and will finally bring true convergence into living rooms," she said.

Test transimssions have already been broadcast from Sentech’s main broadcast tower site in Brixton, Johannesburg.

Frans Lindeque, Sentech’s acting COO, said digital TV sets were to "increasingly" become integrated with fixed and mobile broadband networks, allowing viewers to switch easily between watching television, surfing the internet, or doing online shopping.

'Clearer, sharper'
"DTT thus opens the way to combine the pay-per-view services available on the internet with the simplicity of television.

"A primary benefit of DTT that is sure to delight consumers will be the clearer, sharper pictures provided without interference and ghosting that some residents of built-up areas or hilly terrain sometimes experience.

"It also offers a wide screen format and multiple language offerings per channel," Lindeque said.

He indicated that Sentech would first upgrade its network and duplicate the current analogue network channels on a digital system.

Digital migration
Sentech anticipates the first phase of network upgrades to take two years, with digital migration commencing in 2008.

"Most of the 220 sites needed to broadcast DTT to 92 percent of South Africa’s population are already in place and only need upgrades to become fully digital.

"Once that process is complete, DTT and analogue systems will be run side-by-side [a dual illumination process] until South Africa is ready to switch off analogue transmission," Lindeque said.

He also explained that the analogue infrastructure which dated back to the launch of television in South Africa in the mid 1970s, had become increasingly expensive to repair and "DTT provides a timely answer to this problem."

Set-top boxes
Consumers will need a set-top box costing about R500 to decode the signal, even for public broadcasting service and free-to-air channels.

"Although the cost of the set-top boxes should reduce significantly over the next five years, they will still need to be subsidised if the main aim of reaching the masses in a relatively short time [four to five years] is to be achieved.

"It is possible that incentives will be provided to electronics companies to establish set-top box manufacturing facilities in South Africa," Lindeque said.

This, he said would contribute to a reduction in the cost of the set-top boxes.

Sentech's 2010 television plans

4 July 2006

Sentech has announced plans to rollout Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in time for the 2010 World Cup. The upgrade is expected to cost about R1-billion over the next five years.

DTT is a digital technology that provides a greater number of channels and better quality of pictures and sound.

The company is optimistic that it will play a major role in the 2010 World Cup by ensuring that South Africa’s analogue broadcasting infrastructure is upgraded to a digital-ready terrestrial system.

Digital convergence
Punted to be the most significant revolution television has yet seen, Sentech spokesperson Bongi Potelwa said DTT would give users access to a multi-channel and multi-platform viewing experience.

"It is aimed at average TV viewers; and will finally bring true convergence into living rooms," she said.

Test transimssions have already been broadcast from Sentech’s main broadcast tower site in Brixton, Johannesburg.

Frans Lindeque, Sentech’s acting COO, said digital TV sets were to "increasingly" become integrated with fixed and mobile broadband networks, allowing viewers to switch easily between watching television, surfing the internet, or doing online shopping.

'Clearer, sharper'
"DTT thus opens the way to combine the pay-per-view services available on the internet with the simplicity of television.

"A primary benefit of DTT that is sure to delight consumers will be the clearer, sharper pictures provided without interference and ghosting that some residents of built-up areas or hilly terrain sometimes experience.

"It also offers a wide screen format and multiple language offerings per channel," Lindeque said.

He indicated that Sentech would first upgrade its network and duplicate the current analogue network channels on a digital system.

Digital migration
Sentech anticipates the first phase of network upgrades to take two years, with digital migration commencing in 2008.

"Most of the 220 sites needed to broadcast DTT to 92 percent of South Africa’s population are already in place and only need upgrades to become fully digital.

"Once that process is complete, DTT and analogue systems will be run side-by-side [a dual illumination process] until South Africa is ready to switch off analogue transmission," Lindeque said.

He also explained that the analogue infrastructure which dated back to the launch of television in South Africa in the mid 1970s, had become increasingly expensive to repair and "DTT provides a timely answer to this problem."

Set-top boxes
Consumers will need a set-top box costing about R500 to decode the signal, even for public broadcasting service and free-to-air channels.

"Although the cost of the set-top boxes should reduce significantly over the next five years, they will still need to be subsidised if the main aim of reaching the masses in a relatively short time [four to five years] is to be achieved.

"It is possible that incentives will be provided to electronics companies to establish set-top box manufacturing facilities in South Africa," Lindeque said.

This, he said would contribute to a reduction in the cost of the set-top boxes.

Interesting Article in Washington Post the other day. Made the front of Sports.

Article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/02/AR2006070200742.html)

With World Cup Coming, S. Africa Has 2010 Vision

By Craig Timberg
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, July 3, 2006; Page E01

SOWETO, South Africa -- David Ndlovu, 33, is plenty excited about the World Cup. Watching Germany play Argentina in a quarterfinal last week in a dark, smoky tavern near his home, Ndlovu leapt to his feet in ecstasy at one point. Then a few minutes later, he folded his hands over his face in despair.

His mood swings were but a faint hint of the fervor Ndlovu and millions of other soccer fans expect when the 2010 World Cup comes to South Africa, bringing the eyes of the world -- and presumably a deep, rushing river of cash -- to a nation once known mostly for its odious racial policies.

Musa Nthombeni, Busi Mayisela and David Ndlovu, from left, watch a World Cup match on television. They will experience the tournament first-hand in 2010. (By Craig Timberg -- The Washington Post)

South Africans, who hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 2003 Cricket World Cup, say they are eager to have soccer's World Cup to showcase their increasingly stable, prosperous country and Africa itself, which has not held a sporting event of such a massive scale.

Yet many, like Ndlovu, also are determined to cash in on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. South Africans are preparing to rent out their houses, peddle food from mobile kitchens, shuttle fans to games and sell Vuvuzelas, this nation's colorful, ear-splittingly loud, horn-like contribution to the world of stadium noisemakers.

Ndlovu, a corporate customer relations representative with a shaved head, broad shoulders and a mustache, has even bigger plans. "Everybody will be selling Vuvuzelas," he explained between sips of Heineken. "You must try to stand out."

His dream is to open a neighborhood bar, much like the one he was sitting in on this night. Dozens of soccer fans -- mostly young, mostly men -- gathered at a bar called "The Rock!" to drink $1.50 beers and imbibe the testosterone-heavy camaraderie generated by watching televised sports together. (Most, like Ndlovu, rooted for Argentina.)

Ndlovu figures the demand will be even greater in 2010. With tickets running beyond the means of average South Africans -- per capita income is $3,630 a year -- most will have to settle for watching the games on television. In Germany, some fans have watched in bars, while others have taken in the games at "Fan Fests," outdoor viewing areas with giant screens run by Cup organizers in host cities.

Ndlovu even expects some foreign tourists will be looking for places to watch games on the nights they don't have tickets. Soweto, though now a tranquil and mostly middle-class bedroom community, is one of South Africa's leading attractions because of its historic, leading role in the struggle against apartheid.

Since the end of apartheid in 1994, soccer and capitalism have arguably become the leading national pastimes. The semi-annual battles between Soweto's two professional teams, the Orlando Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs, are raucous, passionate affairs, pitting neighborhood against neighborhood, fathers against sons and even husbands against their wives.

And the accumulation of wealth -- not to mention its display -- is equally close to the heart of South Africans. Even in poorer areas, it's common to strain incomes to the breaking point to buy the sleekest possible car and the flashiest possible clothes. Black leather jackets do more than ward off the cold of South Africa's winter; they are essential status symbols for the young, hip and well-employed. Many of the soccer fans gathered at The Rock! last Friday evening were wearing them.

Economists warn that the World Cup will not prove to be the financial boon that many South Africans imagine. Stadiums across the country must be prepared for competition. Transportation networks, sports facilities, power systems and airports are getting upgrades that, taken together, will cost billions of dollars. That's serious money for a country with overtaxed schools and medical systems, not to mention some of the world's highest rates of violent crime.

Any one of those problems might be alleviated with the money being set aside for hosting the World Cup, said Achille Mbembe, a professor at the University of Witwatersrand's Institute for Social & Economic Research in Johannesburg.

"I'm not sure it's money well spent," Mbembe said during an interview in Johannesburg.

In fact, Mbembe, originally from the African soccer powerhouse of Cameroon, said he would rather see serious money invested in making South Africa's struggling national team competitive. That would do more for African pride than even a successful hosting of the World Cup, Mbembe said.

Yet at The Rock!, the cost of the event was much less of a concern than the amount that might trickle down to Ndlovu and his fellow patrons.

Madoda Nkosi, 30, a plastics engineer, became so overwhelmed with talk of the money to be made that he began reciting, as if in a trance, the various currencies that soccer tourists would bring in their wallets: euros, dollars, pounds, yen. The list went on.

"My dreams," Nkosi said. "I'm definitely sure they will come true."

Nearby, Busi Mayisela, 26, said she intends to see every match she can along with her infant son, Tumelo. When he turns 5 in 2010, he'll be plenty mature to appreciate soccer matches, she said.

Tumelo will need to spend his time somewhere, because his mother intends to rent out their eight-room house to the highest bidder for the duration of the event.

"Everything will be happening here," Mayisela said. "We won't be glued to our TVs. We'll be having an opportunity to experience it."

After a few more Heinekens -- as well as some Hansas and Windhoeks, other beers popular in Soweto -- the soccer fans and would-be entrepreneurs at The Rock! could even imagine South Africa's team making a respectable run at the title four years from now. Maybe the quarterfinals? Maybe the semis? That would be a first for an African team, as well as an amazing leap forward for a team that did not qualify for the 32-team event in Germany this year.

Ndlovu's expectations were more realistic.

"Not to embarrass [us]? Yes," he said. "But to lift the trophy? No."

But across the room, Tshepo Mothibi, 29, a physician, was bursting with excitement as he contemplated 2010. "We're going to win the World Cup!"

How about the plane tickets,I exept them very expensive for people from Europe.

How about the plane tickets,I exept them very expensive for people from Europe.
london to cape town +/-R5000...def not expensive. the europeans will come..the south americans will come..the pomz, the ozzies they'll all come.

I'm sure they would be specials for flights to SA during the period

I'm sure they would be specials for flights to SA during the period
yeah probably...its more "expensive" for us to fly to europe than for europe to fly to us.

SA must stay as is for 2010
05/07/2006 09:31 - (SA)

If you want to know how the average whining South African thinks, if thinks isn't too strong a word, consider this story.

I'm listening to the radio, and a talk show host is trying to get hold of Danny Jordaan, the head of the World Cup 2010 organising committee. Jordaan is in Germany, obviously, and the interviewer is having trouble getting through because of the high volume of cell traffic on the German networks.

Eventually, Jordaan is reached, and interviewed. A listener sends an SMS to the radio station, which read something like this: "Problems getting Jordaan to answer his phone indicative of SA's inability to host the World Cup!"

That about sums it up. The German phone system isn't capable of handling the huge amount of traffic, and some idiot decides this is Jordaan's fault. I can just hear him now: "This could only happen in South Africa. We'll never hold a World Cup as good as the one in Germany. I'll bet they at least have the courtesy to answer their phones there."

What on earth is our problem? Why have we decided that we want to emulate the standards of a First World country when it comes to organising a few soccer matches? Is it really going to destroy South Africa's reputation forever because people take two hours to get to a stadium, rather than the efficient 3.2 minutes standard set by the Germans?

We just don't have the same kind of culture. For example, unlike Germany, we've never managed to successfully invade a neighbouring country. We're just not good enough, I'm afraid. Should we be ashamed of that? I don't think so. The only area in which we've even remotely been able to compete with the great European and North American powers is in attempted genocide, and even there we failed miserably.

Media making stuff up

It's got to the point where newspapers appear to actually be making up stories, such as the recent one about Fifa moving the World Cup to Australia. It's as if South Africans want to fail. And you know what they call someone who wants to fail, don't you? Yep, an English soccer player.

I fear that, as usual, much of this criticism is coming from expats, poor souls living in the UK who have become addicted to that nation's favourite pasttime, whinging about Dirty Foreigners. Just as an English soccer fan appears unable to grasp the fact that Wayne Rooney got sent off because he stamped on Ricardo Carvalho's testicles, not because Cristiano Ronaldo is cuter than he is, South Africans seem unable to grasp the fact that they live in Africa.

And as my more ridiculous readers keep telling me, Africa is not for sissies. Which means that half the England soccer team, who cry more easily than a teenaged girl with a basket of dying puppies, will find World Cup 2010 a very trying affair.

If the criticism isn't coming from expats, it's coming from locals who have forgotten who they are. Do we really care that visitors in 2010 might have to queue to get into stadiums, might have to struggle to catch taxis to matches, or might have to get lost in the middle of Joburg? These people are on holiday for heaven's sake, they're visiting Africa (although a few matches will be in Cape Town too, I'm sure).

They're not here because they want it to be just like Germany, only with fewer Eurotrash. Do you really think they'll all go home and tell their friends, "Ooh, it was luvverly, just like being in Berlin. I'd go back there anytime, it's really worth travelling the extra few thousand miles to recreate exactly the experience I can get in any major European city."

No, let's give them South Africa as it really is, crap transport, laidback service (if we can improve to that point by 2010, I mean), and disorganised stadia. It's soccer, not rugby. Let's all just pray that England don't make it into the finals, though, because I do NOT want to see the look of horror on the face of Coleen McLoughlin, Rooney's girlfriend when she realises that, unlike back home, South Africans are mostly black.

Nice article, although I'm sure it will stoke the flames of the anti-SA brigade.

Nice article, although I'm sure it will stoke the flames of the anti-SA brigade.
probably

Why do these guys even bother? If they hate SA so much, why dont they do what Charles told them to do, "Pack your bags & leave the country"

hhahahhaha I love that article.

did anyone hear about that tosser in cape town who is trying to set up a website telling football fans NOT to visit for the world cup cos he thinks they are all going to die? What a TWAT!!!! Last time I heard all the millions of overseas tourists who come here every year dont return in body bags etc!!!! In fact they all return loving SA and having had one of the most special times of their lives!! I dont think i have ever met an overseas visitor who had not fallen in love with SA during their stay.

did anyone hear about that tosser in cape town who is trying to set up a website telling football fans NOT to visit for the world cup cos he thinks they are all going to die? What a TWAT!!!! Last time I heard all the millions of overseas tourists who come here every year dont return in body bags etc!!!! In fact they all return loving SA and having had one of the most special times of their lives!! I dont think i have ever met an overseas visitor who had not fallen in love with SA during their stay.
yeah i heard about that..i spose different strokes for different folks..u can deal with problems in south africa by being pessimistic, or optimistic or just not caring..it doesn't mean though that your'e ignorant if you're positive about cape town or south africa as enigma would suggest...

EMIRATES STADIUM INSPIRES ANOTHER STADIUM



Since an announcement was made about a week ago stating that Kaizer Chiefs would be building their own stadium in Mogale City Municipality (Formerly Krugersdorp) around 40 km from the Johannesburg City Centre.

We have been inundated with requests from supporters wanting to see what the stadium will look like once completed so we have acceded to your requests.

Above is a picture of what the 55 000 seater Amakhosi Stadium will look like once it is completed in December 2008. The stadium has been modelled on the Emirates Stadium in London, which is to be the new home ground of English Premier League Club Arsenal when the 2006-2007 Premier League Season commences in August.

The developers of Amakhosi Stadium have worked closely with the architects of the Emirates Stadium and found that the design and concept of the stadium was a practical one and would fit into the local environment.

http://images.supersport.co.za/ChiefsNewStadium2006Impression450.jpg

did anyone hear about that tosser in cape town who is trying to set up a website telling football fans NOT to visit for the world cup cos he thinks they are all going to die? What a TWAT!!!! Last time I heard all the millions of overseas tourists who come here every year dont return in body bags etc!!!! In fact they all return loving SA and having had one of the most special times of their lives!! I dont think i have ever met an overseas visitor who had not fallen in love with SA during their stay.

I think we need to shut him up, hehehehehe :scouserd:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/kennyd9.gif

Today big articles in Belgian newspapers about the 2010 worldcup ,They're afraid jou won't make it.Even Blatter was concerned,what's taking jou guys so long.In 2007 3 new stadiums will be finished in Morocco.???

I think we need to shut him up, hehehehehe :scouserd:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/kennyd9.gif

LOL! Poor Kenny. And the irony is that the twat has never even been a victim of crime (that may seemingly change if Durbsboi get hold of him...) :jk:

Today big articles in Belgian newspapers about the 2010 worldcup ,They're afraid jou won't make it.Even Blatter was concerned,what's taking jou guys so long.In 2007 3 new stadiums will be finished in Morocco.???
haha...

in 2007 south africa has 8 existing stadia capable of hosting world cup matches.

in 2009 south africa will have 14 stadia capable of hosting world cup matches

in 2005 stadia that were apparently "under construction" in morrocco..what happened? fifa pitched up...and what did they see? nothing

Fine progress with Swartklip sports facility
CLAYTON BARNES



PHASE three of the largest indoor sporting facility in Southern Africa has been completed. And both Cape Town’s urban renewal nodes – Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha – are set to benefit.

The Swartklip Indoor Sports Complex, situated on the border of Mit?chell’s Plain and Khayelitsha, was handed to the area’s sport and recreation manager, Mr Freddie Prince.

The handing over was held after a brief tour and inspection of the facility by City officials after the keys were handed to Prince by Mr Leon Poleman, the facility’s project manager from the City of Cape Town.

Prince said he was thrilled with the progress of the construction and hoped the community “values it as much as I do”.

“This was a three-year project and we hope to complete the entire facility with all its different components by 2009,” said Prince.

Mr Ivan Anthony, Urban Renewal manager, said the facility will also be used as a training ground for teams participating in the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

“Today is an historic day,” said Anthony. “We rounded off phase three and look into the future towards phases four and five, which includes the development of a minor hall and the construction of a 5000-seater soccer stadium.”

Anthony said the project was initiated to integrate the two urban renewal nodes and “bridge the divide between Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha”.

“The divide still exists,” he said. “But we hope this integration project brings at least the two sporting communities together. The two sporting districts have already merged and is called the KhayePlain Sporting District.

“This is a great start for two sporting communities.”

hahhaa count me in as well!! The bloke running that site is the only saffa I would wish to actually be a victim of crime!!! perhaps we should all go round his house and beat him up!!!!!!

apologies for that last post..wrong thread

5 July 2006
SOURCE: Department of Cultural Affairs & Sport (Provincial Government of the Western Cape)
In exactly 48 months from now, all soccer enthusiasts globally, will pay attention to South Africa - when the country hosts the FIFA World Cup spectacle.
Government, in particular Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA), is pleased with the progress on preparations thus far.

The Minister of Sport and Recreation, Rev. Dr. Makhenkesi Stofile confirmed during an interview with Umsebenzi that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) is underway with the preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Minister's optimism follows FIFA's approval and an announcement of the proposed host cities and stadiums early this year. In total there will be 10 stadiums used in the nine host cities. Four new stadiums will be built in Cape Town (Greenpoint Stadium), Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium), Durban (King's Park Stadium) and Nelspruit (Mbombela Stadium) with the remaining six being upgraded - Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium), Bloemfontein (Free State Stadium), Pretoria ( Loftus Versveld Stadium), Polokwane (Peter Mokaba Stadium) and Johannesburg (Soccer City and Ellis Park Stadiums).

"You can see that even though Germany 2006 has not yet begun, 2010 is already in full operation and as a matter of fact, we are ahead of the schedule", the Minister said. The early announcement is a positive move for the South African host cities as they can go to the 2006 FIFA World Cup and learn from their German counterparts.

The cities, with the support of the Department of Sport and Recreation on both national and provincial level, will now start dealing with the infrastructural challenges such as airport upgrades, building or upgrading stadiums, and improving transportation networks to handle the football fans that will flock into South Africa.

In his State of the Nation address, President Thabo Mbeki announced: "In return for the irreplaceable benefits of hosting a World Cup, we owe it to FIFA and the rest of the soccer world to prepare properly for 2010".

Equally the CEO of the South Africa Local Organising Committee, Mr Danny Jordaan, said: "The announcement of the host cities in South Africa is the first concrete step taken in the delivery of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The cities co-operation and enthusiasm is unparalleled and signals the determination of the host cities to be wonderful hosts and deliver world-class infrastructure with African sensation".


South Africans also positive about 2010

South Africans are also very confident that the 2010 FIFA World Cup will bring increased job opportunities and improved economic growth to the country. They also believe that it will consolidate South Africa's position in the international arena.
Dr Udesh Pillay, Executive Director of Urban, Rural and Economic Development RP (URED) at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) said these three outcomes were mentioned by almost 85% of respondents in a recent national attitude survey.

However, respondents were almost equally divided whether these expected benefits would be of a "lasting" or "short term" nature. Some 47% believed the benefits of hosting the event would be long term, while 44% said the benefits would be short term.

"The survey probed the expectations of respondents for the country as a whole, the city or area in which they lived, their neighbourhood and, finally, for them personally. While respondents consistently opted for job creation and work opportunities as their predicted primary benefit of hosting the 2010 World Cup, they did so at different rates across these domains," stated Dr Pillay.

Job creation was an expected benefit at the national level for 34% of respondents, at the city level for 28% of them, and at the neighborhood level only for 15%. But 33% of the respondents expected to gain personally from the World Cup. "Interestingly, this figure was matched by an equal number of respondents who said they did not expect to receive any personal job creation benefits. Only a quarter of Black African respondents said they did not expect personal benefits, rising to 69% for white respondents. White and Indian/Asian respondents also tended to point to the short-term benefits of the event, while Black African respondents believed the event would bring more long-term benefits."

http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/your_gov/3576/news/2006/jul/138432

http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/2128/mbombelastadium2010nelspruit27.jpg

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/8435/mbombelastadium2010nelspruit1t.jpg

LOL! Poor Kenny. And the irony is that the twat has never even been a victim of crime (that may seemingly change if Durbsboi get hold of him...) :jk:
lol , I might not be joking, I hate those idiots that talk kak about the country but know shit all

One of the main problems in germany was that it was too much cities far apart and you need to travel between them and it looses some of the atmosphere..

so how will SA overcome this problem? The 9 cities listed here are even more widespread than germany, the distances are even larger, the trains arent as fast and well spread as in germany?

i am VERY concerned about the new chiefs stadium!!! Yes it does look rather nice and all that, but why build this stadium?

Firstly it is away from their Soweto base

Secondly - It is a new facilty that will in no way be used for the 2010 WC, while other stadia will be upgraded, for what reason?

It seems to me that not much consultation is going on. why spend so much money upgrading these other Joburg stadia if they are not to be used after the WC that much. Who is going to play at Soccer city if Chiefs and Pirates are both building new stadia??? Bafana Bafana?? lol they will be lucky to get 5000 for most games against botswana and maurituis!

I am deeply deeply concerned!




Regards the new Nelspruit stadium...i presume much of the seating is to be temporary? because i dont see the smaller towns and cities filling 45 000 seater stadiums that often after the WC.

i dont think the german benues are that far apart! look at korea/japan in 2002...they were separate countries separated by an ocean!! so i not at all worried with the cities being so far apart in SA, it will help spread the locations that people base themselves in. i can see them staying up and down the north and south coast of KZN, cos its only a 2hr maximum drive into durban from there

haha...

in 2007 south africa has 8 existing stadia capable of hosting world cup matches.

in 2009 south africa will have 14 stadia capable of hosting world cup matches

in 2005 stadia that were apparently "under construction" in morrocco..what happened? fifa pitched up...and what did they see? nothing


Very strange,3 stadiums are almost finished while jou guys still don't have the right plans.

Very strange,3 stadiums are almost finished while jou guys still don't have the right plans.
the right plans? please be more specific...

FACT: at this moment south africa is light years ahead of morrocco in being remotely able to host a world cup

FACT: South Africa's infrastructure is far beyond that of Morrocco, including transportation, media infrastructure

FACT: The ten host cities have been agreed upon one year in advance.

FACT: Morrocco is constructing new stadia because it doesn't have a newlands stadium, an absa stadium, a soccer city, a vodacom park, a loftus versfeld, an athlone stadium, a rustenburg stadium...

One of the main problems in germany was that it was too much cities far apart and you need to travel between them and it looses some of the atmosphere..

so how will SA overcome this problem? The 9 cities listed here are even more widespread than germany, the distances are even larger, the trains arent as fast and well spread as in germany?

Firstly south africa isnt germany and it wont be. Any challenges will be dealt with and solutions will hopefully be found. The cities are widespread, existing train lines exist between 8 of the 9 venues.

The solution in this world cup and in future will probably be to host most group matches in nearby cities or all in the same city.

i am VERY concerned about the new chiefs stadium!!! Yes it does look rather nice and all that, but why build this stadium?

Firstly it is away from their Soweto base

Secondly - It is a new facilty that will in no way be used for the 2010 WC, while other stadia will be upgraded, for what reason?

It seems to me that not much consultation is going on. why spend so much money upgrading these other Joburg stadia if they are not to be used after the WC that much. Who is going to play at Soccer city if Chiefs and Pirates are both building new stadia??? Bafana Bafana?? lol they will be lucky to get 5000 for most games against botswana and maurituis!

I am deeply deeply concerned!




Regards the new Nelspruit stadium...i presume much of the seating is to be temporary? because i dont see the smaller towns and cities filling 45 000 seater stadiums that often after the WC.
suppose in some way you true...but chiefs has never really had its own stadium like many of the international clubs have..i know there are many concerns as to who will watch matches but its a place they will call home..and as a team im sure they cant be more proud when stepping out onto their home field...they have the money..let them build the stadium..not everything dysan is as black and white as you make them to be...sometimes theres more to a decision than filling seats..im sure they have considered the location and the stadiums future...let them have their stadium

The First National Bank (FNB) is the first South African company to sign up as a National Supporter for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and FNB Chief Executive Officer Michael Jordaan set the seal on the USD 30 million agreement in Berlin on 6 July, one day prior to the kick-off of FIFA’s “Win in Africa with Africa” initiative and the unveiling of the event’s Official Emblem. The sponsorship agreement represents by far the largest sponsorship contract in the history of the South African bank and it further underscores the strong commitment of the FNB to football.

“This deal marks an important moment on our joint journey to the first FIFA World Cup on African soil. The fact that FNB, a renowned South African company, has joined the sponsor family of the 2010 FIFA World Cup shows yet again how much the event is supported by the South African economy,” said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter before adding, ”we are looking forward to a successful relationship”.



FNB is the first of six National Supporters who will enjoy local rights to both the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and the FIFA Confederations Cup hosted by South Africa during this period. The South Africans will act in their category (retail banking) as the official bank of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ to provide full-service banking including commercial and corporate transaction banking as well as servicing of on- and off-site ATMs in close cooperation with FIFA Partner Visa. “From a national perspective, FNB’s involvement in the 2010 FIFA World Cup will contribute to on-going efforts to promote the growth of South Africa’s economy and help create a better life for all in this new season of joy,” explained FNB Chief Executive Officer Michael Jordaan.

The retail bank, which was also the first company to invest significant sums of money in South African football and has been doing so since 1986, supported the South African bid for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ that lost out to Germany as well as the successful 2010 bid. “This was a visionary step which, coupled with the bank’s involvement in subsequent major nation-building soccer initiatives and our strong financial position, earned us the proud privilege of being in a position to help South Africa host the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said Jordaan. The 2010 Organising Committee (SAOC) expressed its great satisfaction with the new partnership. “The First National Bank was the first to support us in the 2006 and 2010 bids and it is now one of the first South African companies for the World Cup. It’s a long journey that we have travelled and we are very happy that they will continue with us until the end,” said Danny Jordaan, SAOC Chief Executive Officer.

FIFA’s post-2006 commercial hierarchy comprises six FIFA Partners, six FIFA World Cup Sponsors and six National Supporters for the FIFA World Cup™, with adidas, Coca-Cola, Emirates Airline, Hyundai, Sony and Visa, the six FIFA Partners in the top tier of the new sponsorship model, awarded the highest level of affiliation to FIFA over an eight-year period. In April, Anheuser-Busch was unveiled as the first of the six FIFA World Cup Sponsors with two more sponsors to be announced soon.

Blatter defends South Africa as Germans cast doubt on 2010 hosts
By : Mihir Bose, 06/07/2006

German organisers believe they could be called in to help Fifa stage the 2010 World Cup, which is due to be held in South Africa.

The Germans think they have staged the best World Cup yet and have already expressed grave doubts about the African nation's capacity to do likewise.

In 1986, Mexico had to step in and host the tournament when Colombia proved unable to fulfil the requirements and German newspapers have been bombarding Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, with questions about South Africa's ability to stage the event. Some have even suggested that, if they do not have the resources, Germany should take over as hosts in four years' time.

''In South Africa, there are problems," Blatter admitted this week. "Will the stadiums be built? Will they be on time? We are perfectly aware of the great task that is required for staging the World Cup and South Africa needs help.

''We have established our own secretariat in Johannesburg and we shall take charge of ticketing. South Africa is a multi-cultural country where you have different tribes and you require a certain kind of intelligence to bring these forces together. Also the country's presidential elections will be held before the World Cup, but we are sure we will cope."

Blatter wanted the current World Cup finals to be held in South Africa and persuaded Fifa to accept the rotation principle so that they would be assured of being chosen as the venue in 2010.

He considers taking the World Cup to Africa for the first time to be a crowning achievement of his Fifa presidency.

Blatter has already had to intervene to stop the South African organising committee removing their chief executive, Danny Jordaan, who led both the 2006 bid, which came within one vote of defeating Germany's proposal, and the successful 2010 bid. Furthermore, Blatter is aware that strained relations between Jordaan and his chairman, Irvin Khoza, mean there is constant tension within the organising committee.

The Germans have offered help and there has also been talk of having German representation on the organising committee. But this idea has incensed the South Africans and Blatter warned: ''We can't go in with the missionary attitude. South Africa has well-trained people and our attitude should be that we are giving back to Africa what Africa has given to world football.''

The South Africans will attempt to show their plans are on course tomorrow when they hold a gala in Berlin to unveil the logo for 2010, the first time the logo of the next World Cup has been displayed. Thabo Mbeki, the president of South Africa, and Kofi Annan, the United Nations secretary general, will be present and one South African source told me: "We want to show the Germans that anything they can do we can do even better."

Despite the support of Blatter and his entourage, however, there are still sceptics within Fifa who believe South Africa are not capable of being 2010 hosts.

2pm tomorrow sabc 1 for all those without dstv..u get to watch the official handover

irvin khosa says that the new bafana coach will onky be revealed after this world cup as he may possibly be one of the coaches competing in this world cup....who is it? parreira? scolari? errikson?von basten? hiddink?

SVEN :crazy:...............i got a strange feeling it might be him

Its not all doom & gloom in Europe. Article on BBC web, and was a nice piece on TV in UK last night. (www.news.bbc.co.uk)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
South Africa's 2010 Cup challenge


A ceremony is being held in Germany to officially hand over the World Cup to South Africa, which in 2010 will become the first African country to host the championship. The BBC's Mohammed Allie looks at what needs to be done.
South Africa's 2010 football World Cup is set to be the most commercially successful since the first tournament was held 76 years ago.

The event has already attracted more marketing and television attention than the 2006 event, according to Fifa President Sepp Blatter.

"The market trusts Africa," Mr Blatter says.

2010 budget

5bn rand for stadiums
3.5bn rand other capital investment
5.2bn rand for upgrading airports
3.5bn rand for better roads and railways
(7 rand = $1)
"The contracts we have already signed for 2010 are higher than the contracts for 2006 in Germany by about 25%."

Agreements with five strategic partners for 2010 are valued at more than 1bn Swiss francs (about $821 million). This dwarfs the 850m francs ($700m) worth of deals done for the German World Cup.

Companies have to fork out around $125m to be one of the six worldwide partners involved with the 2010 World Cup.

In addition there will also be eight World Cup sponsors and four to six national sponsors. Entry level sponsorship is likely to be around $40m.

Confidence

Being entrusted by Fifa to host its flagship event is indeed a massive vote of confidence in the infrastructure and organisational capacity of South Africa, more so since it will be the first time the event will be held on African soil.

Events in recent months have, however, given the sceptics ample ammunition as South Africa's state of readiness comes under the microscope. The scepticism surfaced after potential shortcomings were exposed in the space of a few weeks earlier this year.


This is an artists impression of the upgraded soccer city stadium in Johannesburg
First, there were a series of unannounced cuts to Cape Town's electricity supply.

Next, there was a report to Parliament's Communications Portfolio Committee which revealed that the country's 30-year old broadcast infrastructure was not ready to cope with the needs of the World Cup.

Sentech Chief Executive Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane says a multibillion dollar investment in digital broadcasting transmission is needed to properly serve a worldwide television audience.

Sentech, the state-owned national broadcasting signal distributor, is due for an upgrade which will allay fears about the broadcasting capacity while Eskom, the national electricity supplier, has already started plans to upgrade its capacity.

Stadium row

Transport is an ongoing headache: South Africa's cities rely on privately-owned minibus taxis, and long-anticipated plans to upgrade the fleet are only now starting to get under away.

The Gautrain, an ambitious rail project aimed at easing traffic congestion in the Johannesburg-Pretoria area, will only be partly completed by 2010. It will take tourists from the airport as far as the suburb of Sandton, but will go nowhere near any of the stadiums.

In Cape Town, a proposed new 67,000-seat stadium, earmarked to host a semi-final match, has also got off to a faltering start.

The city's new Mayor, Helen Zille, from the opposition Democratic Alliance, has questioned where the more than 1bn rand (about $160m) will come from to finance the construction of the stadium.

Ms Zille does not want the stadium to sideline more pressing needs like housing, sanitation and other essential services for the city's poor.

Even the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), allied to the ANC, supported the mayor's stance, saying the needs of the poor should come before an expensive football stadium.

Ms Zille's fears on funding the stadium seem to have been allayed following a meeting with government officials and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), but there are still questions over the site of Cape Town's stadium.

The designated area, which is magnificently located with Robben Island and Table Mountain on either side, will displace a 130-year-old golf course. This proposal has met with stiff opposition from local residents and members of the golf club.

Still, most of the five new stadiums to be constructed in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane and Nelspruit are due to begin by November and are expected to be ready for trial runs at the 2009 Confederations Cup which features the champions of all six Fifa Confederations together with the World Champions and the host nation.

Upgrades

The other more established venues require minor upgrades which will commence at a later stage. "Many of the stadiums already have world class facilities and only require technical upgrades. The alterations at established venues such as Ellis Park, Bloemfontein and Soccer City can be left for a later date. With the continuous technical developments it makes sense to start these closer to 2010," says Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive of the LOC.

Given the employment and business prospects associated with hosting an event as big as the World Cup, South Africa's beleaguered textile industry is hoping that the tournament will revive its fortunes.

The industry, which has lost an estimated 200,000 jobs over the past five years due mainly to the influx of cheaper Chinese imports, is looking at cashing in on producing memorabilia like T-shirts, caps, hats and scarves.

"The reason we're backing the World Cup is that there should be employment and procurement opportunities for locals. It shouldn't just benefit those who are already wealthy," says Tony Ehrenreich, Cosatu's Western Cape general secretary.

"If we aren't happy with economic opportunities for locals we will be protesting at the 2010 World Cup."

Opportunities

Danny Jordaan agrees with the principle of using the tournament to provide economic opportunities, saying there were already policies in place to ensure the empowerment of black business and entrepreneurs.

The LOC predicts that the tournament will create 160,000 jobs and will contribute more than 20 billion rand (about $3.6 billion) to the country's gross domestic product.

Many local small business owners are, however, concerned that they may have to pay exorbitant licensing fees to Fifa, which controls its own marketing and television rights. This implies that companies which are not licensed by Fifa would not be able to sell their products or services in or around the World Cup venues.

"Many local clothing manufacturers I've spoken to say they won't be able to afford the fees and would therefore simply try to sidestep the rules when the event draws closer," says Navavee Matthews, who works for a marketing company.

The money-making potential of the World Cup is enormous and it will be a great tragedy if the expectations of so many of the country's aspirant entrepreneurs are stifled by Fifa's tight licensing conditions.

This will be excellent exposure for us....

-------------------

SA World Cup invitation to reach billions

Janice Roberts | Johannesburg, South Africa

07 July 2006 01:05

A mini-documentary will put destination South Africa on centre stage during the final 2006 Fifa championship match between France and Italy on July 9, South African Tourism said in a statement on Friday.

The two-minute production will be screened on giant television screens in Berlin's Olympiastadion during half-time. It will be shown on town squares across Germany and be televised to more than two billion people across the world.

"The screening of this mini-documentary is destination South Africa's official entrée into the homes, hearts and minds of people the world over," said Moeketsi Mosola, CEO of SA Tourism.

"It sends a strong message that South Africa is not only the next host nation of the World Cup, but that it is also an amazing travel destination ... a destination that has outstripped global travel growth trends and that has, in the last four years, become the darling of the international jet set.

"It's a huge shot in the arm for our travel industry. It officially heralds our coming of age as the premier travel destination in the world.

"2010 cannot be a flash in the pan. Everything that is put in place for the championship must have relevance beyond the few weeks of the event itself," Mosola said.

"As momentous at the World Cup is going to be, we cannot make it the be-all and end-all. If we do, it will be a waste of effort, energy and expense. The 2010 World Cup must leave a legacy in our region. We in travel and tourism are determined that it will do so."

The documentary will feature a personal invitation from former president Nelson Mandela to the world to come to South Africa, to experience the destination and fall in love with the people, with the landscapes and "with the spirit of the nation".

"It will give billions of television viewers all over the world (and the 72 000 fans that will pack the Olympiastadion to watch the final) a glimpse of South Africa's awesome wide open spaces; our scintillating cities; our amazing fauna and flora ... and leave them with no doubt at all that South Africans everywhere look forward to welcoming them, to giving them the travel experience of a lifetime and to sending them back home as friends and as ambassadors of our destination," SA Tourism said.

The mini-documentary will be screened for free by Wige, one of Germany's largest television production companies. Besides being screened in the stadium during half-time, the production will also be televised on big screens on city squares across Germany where an estimated three million people will gather to soak up the World Cup atmosphere and watch the championship match between France and Italy live.

It will also be included in the Fifa pre-match lead-up package that will reach an estimated two billion viewers -- approximately a third of the global population and almost half of the world's adults.

"This is, with no doubt, the largest audience we have ever reached through a single tactic," Mosola says. "We're getting this airtime during the final match, when television ratings at the World Cup are at their highest. There has never before been a destination that has been given an opportunity as big as this ... or as exciting as this. It's a wonderful opportunity not only for us ... but also for our entire industry." -- I-Net Bridge

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=276540&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/

SABC has been given broadcast rights to the 2010 and 2014 World Cup by FIFA.

http://img439.imageshack.us/img439/2583/713878439po.jpg

I think we need to shut him up, hehehehehe :scouserd:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/kennyd9.gif
bang bang u shot him down