SOUTH AFRICA - FIFA World Cup 2010 [Archive] - Page 3

Mo Rush

July 19th, 2006, 04:01 PM

Thuram: SA on course for 2010
Nkareng Matshe
July 19 2006 at 10:30AM

Television images have projected him as one of soccer's strong-willed individuals, a warrior who's always determined to win.

Yet Lilian Thuram was calmness personified as he made a rare appearance on these shores on Tuesday.

The France defender's tiger-like expression - which we saw at the recently-concluded World Cup - was replaced with a serene, bespectacled look.

That he is faced with an uncertain future after his Italian club, Juventus, were relegated to Serie B for their match-fixing skulduggery did not seem to perturb him at all.

'I know Materazzi, he's very provocative'
Nor did he appear heartbroken after Les Bleus' defeat to Italy which robbed him of what would have been a second World Cup winners' medal.

Of course, that final on July 9 is best remembered for Zinedine Zidane's head-butt on Marco Materazzi, which earned the France talisman a red card, so what did Thuram make of this incident?

"I know Materazzi, he's very provocative. I've played against him in Italy (Materazzi plays for Serie A side Inter Milan) and he would swear at players and kick them.

"He's a very tough opponent," Thuram said.

Yet, while his dealings with Zidane span more than a decade of great dressing-room camaraderie, Thuram did not condone his national captain's behaviour, which came as a shock to most of his fans and teammates.

"Make no mistake, Zidane was wrong, but I know he was provoked by Materazzi."

Thuram is in South Africa as he was chosen by the French embassy as an ambassador for the International Sickle Cell Control Organisation, which seeks to create awareness about a disease called sickle cell anaemia.

It was not the defender's first visit here, though, having represented Les Bleus in their friendly international against Bafana Bafana six years ago at Ellis Park. He enjoyed the experience, he says, especially because he got to meet Nelson Mandela.

"I have a special interest in South Africa because of its history of the black struggle, and meeting Mandela was a highlight."

Although he will not be back here for the World Cup in 2010 (he's 34 and says he'll be retiring in two years' time), Thuram has warmed to this country and believes the soccer world will, like him, enjoy their stay here in four years' time.

"From what I've seen and heard, the (2010) organisers are way ahead of schedule and there should not be too many problems."

It was a positive endorsement from one of the game's most recognisable players, but France's most capped player did not spare African countries criticism for their continued underachievement at the World Cup.

"It seems they (African countries) lack self-belief," he observed.

"Look at Senegal in 2002, they looked like they were surprised to have reached the quarterfinals in spite of having a great squad.

"You've got to have confidence to win the World Cup. African countries have individual stars but are lacking as a collective. Greece won Euro 2004 without a star in their side. They had the belief and confidence."

The future of most Juventus players has been a subject of speculation after their club were demoted from Serie A last week by a sporting tribunal, and Thuram has already been linked with top clubs.

Barcelona, the Spanish and European champions, are reportedly close to signing him.

"It's still early to decide where I'm going," he said. "I'm taking it easy."

Some of his opponents would say: if only he was that simple on the pitch.

dysan1

July 20th, 2006, 12:33 AM

SYDNEY

July 20th, 2006, 02:43 AM

Guys its like a bloodbath in here! Some OU from aus has obviously been talking to one of the bitter, racist, ignorant ex pat south africans that packed for Perth. They will continue to run south africa into the ground to justify there own decision for leaving and will never say anything positive about the country. the best thing to do is ignore them, for they only feed off being corrected, since they can "never" be proven wrong in their opinion... tres tres tres triste

Why do South Africans always "presume" that expat South Africans are bitter - racist - ignorant ?

Expats can ask the same questions - isn't it possible that South Africans who remain in South Africa are trying to find an excuse to stay in South Africa or to justify their decision to stay in South Africa .. or is it because they can't afford (or have the necessary skills) to leave South Africa ?. For peace of mind they attack the expats.

I would also like to remind you that UK, US, Canadian Citizens etc. don't repsond to their expats the same way South Africans respond to theirs. You hardly ever hear The British calling their expats racist, ignorant, bitter etc. In most cases they understand why people leave the country and wish them well. Each to their own.

I can only speak for myself when I tell you that I left South Africa because I was tired of living a lifestyle that I couldn't live and wanted to live. I was also tired of seeing the poverty everywhere around me but most of all I HATE the incompetent, corrupt South African Government. The only solution for me was to leave the Country.

I don't hate South Africa, it is a beautiful country and Cape Town could be one of the World's best cities if it was not in Africa .. hell even Durban could be a fantastic place to live. Cape Town's biggest natural disaster (the ex Mayor Mfeketo aka an incompetent ANC regime member) destroyed the city and I am afraid that it will never be the same again.

Now for the racist part - I voted for The ANC in 1994 (the silly bugger that I am) and lived in South Africa for 11 years under black rule .. did you ever stop to think that most of South Africa's expats have only started leaving in the last couple of years ? If I was racist or didn't like living under "black rule" I would have left in 1989. The fact of the matter is that the South African Government has lost control of the Country - crime and corruption has got them by the balls. I can prove this but you know it as well as I do. You read the newspapers in SA.

Did you also stop to think how painful it is for South Africans to leave their homes behind, their homeland, their families and their freinds. It is a TERRIBLE experience to emmigrate - mentally, emotionally and financially. We did it and bit the bullet. I can honestly say that I am very proud of the people that have made that decision to emmigrate and who have made better lives for themselves in a foreign country. To leave South Africa was the best thing that I have ever done and I NEVER regret it.

The unfortunate truth is that South Africa is facing HUGE problems compared to most developing and developed Countries - you can't ignore it as hard as you might true to. Put yourself in a foreigner's shoes ... you are sitting in Sydney and you see the townships (shanty towns) of South Africa and you hear about the horrendous crimes on the news (oh yes, we hear about all that is happenning in South Africa on our local news broadcast) .. what are you going to think ?

Now for the shock - expats aren't sitting around and sucking horror stories out of their thumbs .. I get all the bad news and links from friends and family IN SOUTH AFRICA. It is the South African media that issues all the reports about the terrible crime, corruption and growing poverty in South Africa. Does Crime Expo ring a bell ? Don't be so quick to blame the expats. Expats can talk from experience and 99% of what they have to say is TRUE.

It might be hard for you to see why foreigners don't elaborate on the positives of South Africa but I am sitting on the other side of the fence and from here it doesn't look that positive. Okay so there is alot of new construction etc. in South Africa BUT once again, from my and other's side of the fence it is nothing special when you compare it to cities like Vancouver, Sydney or even Auckland. The amount of construction taking place in developed cities far outperform the amounts of projects in South Africa. That is why foreigners are not so in awe of your Country.

I would also like to remind you that it wasn't expats that started the rumours that SA was going to lose the World Cup in 2010 - find the source and take it out on them. So lay off the expats and face the reality .. South Africa has got to prove the critics wrong. Oh yes, for all of those that are worried about Hotel accommodation - South Africa has some of the best hotels in the World - in fact - they have more Hotels in the top 100 than any other country besides The US and there are more than enough hotels to suit everybody's needs. I speak from experience and not out of my ass.

Mo Rush

July 20th, 2006, 03:02 AM

Why do South Africans always "presume" that expat South Africans are bitter - racist - ignorant ?

Expats can ask the same questions - isn't it possible that South Africans who remain in South Africa are trying to find an excuse to stay in South Africa or to justify their decision to stay in South Africa .. or is it because they can't afford (or have the necessary skills) to leave South Africa ?. For peace of mind they attack the expats.

I would also like to remind you that UK, US, Canadian Citizens etc. don't repsond to their expats the same way South Africans respond to theirs. You hardly ever hear The British calling their expats racist, ignorant, bitter etc. In most cases they understand why people leave the country and wish them well. Each to their own.

I can only speak for myself when I tell you that I left South Africa because I was tired of living a lifestyle that I couldn't live and wanted to live. I was also tired of seeing the poverty everywhere around me but most of all I HATE the incompetent, corrupt South African Government. The only solution for me was to leave the Country.

I don't hate South Africa, it is a beautiful country and Cape Town could be one of the World's best cities if it was not in Africa .. hell even Durban could be a fantastic place to live. Cape Town's biggest natural disaster (the ex Mayor Mfeketo aka an incompetent ANC regime member) destroyed the city and I am afraid that it will never be the same again.

Now for the racist part - I voted for The ANC in 1994 (the silly bugger that I am) and lived in South Africa for 11 years under black rule .. did you ever stop to think that most of South Africa's expats have only started leaving in the last couple of years ? If I was racist or didn't like living under "black rule" I would have left in 1989. The fact of the matter is that the South African Government has lost control of the Country - crime and corruption has got them by the balls. I can prove this but you know it as well as I do. You read the newspapers in SA.

Did you also stop to think how painful it is for South Africans to leave their homes behind, their homeland, their families and their freinds. It is a TERRIBLE experience to emmigrate - mentally, emotionally and financially. We did it and bit the bullet. I can honestly say that I am very proud of the people that have made that decision to emmigrate and who have made better lives for themselves in a foreign country. To leave South Africa was the best thing that I have ever done and I NEVER regret it.

The unfortunate truth is that South Africa is facing HUGE problems compared to most developing and developed Countries - you can't ignore it as hard as you might true to. Put yourself in a foreigner's shoes ... you are sitting in Sydney and you see the townships (shanty towns) of South Africa and you hear about the horrendous crimes on the news (oh yes, we hear about all that is happenning in South Africa on our local news broadcast) .. what are you going to think ?

Now for the shock - expats aren't sitting around and sucking horror stories out of their thumbs .. I get all the bad news and links from friends and family IN SOUTH AFRICA. It is the South African media that issues all the reports about the terrible crime, corruption and growing poverty in South Africa. Does Crime Expo ring a bell ? Don't be so quick to blame the expats. Expats can talk from experience and 99% of what they have to say is TRUE.

It might be hard for you to see why foreigners don't elaborate on the positives of South Africa but I am sitting on the other side of the fence and from here it doesn't look that positive. Okay so there is alot of new construction etc. in South Africa BUT once again, from my and other's side of the fence it is nothing special when you compare it to cities like Vancouver, Sydney or even Auckland. The amount of construction taking place in developed cities far outperform the amounts of projects in South Africa. That is why foreigners are not so in awe of your Country.

I would also like to remind you that it wasn't expats that started the rumours that SA was going to lose the World Cup in 2010 - find the source and take it out on them. So lay off the expats and face the reality .. South Africa has got to prove the critics wrong. Oh yes, for all of those that are worried about Hotel accommodation - South Africa has some of the best hotels in the World - in fact - they have more Hotels in the top 100 than any other country besides The US and there are more than enough hotels to suit everybody's needs. I speak from experience and not out of my ass.
shit..this forum has turned into the oprah show.

Costandara

July 20th, 2006, 03:40 AM

Mo Rush

July 20th, 2006, 03:47 AM

OK enough with the oprah show.thanks for your views

China Among Top Tourist Arrivals For South Africa By 2010
July 18, 2006

South Africa's top tourism minister believes that China will rank among the top three markets for tourist arrivals by 2010 as the African state moves to capture a greater share of the surging number of Chinese outbound tourists.

South Africa's hosting of the 2010 Football World Cup is expected to be a key draw for Chinese tourists especially if their national team qualifies in the run up.

Recent figures from the World Tourism Organisation point to as many as 130 million Chinese outbound tourists by 2020, making it the largest market in Asia. Tourism to South African is currently dominated by arrivals from Germany, UK and the United States, but heavy investments on promoting South Africa tourism in China has led to solid growth in Chinese travellers.

In 2004, around 52,000 Chinese visitors traveled to South Africa. In the first two weeks of this year South Africa issued over 2,000 visas to Chinese nationals, more than double that of 2004.

A recent market survey conducted by South African Tourism (SAT) also reflects the growing interest in South Africa as a prime destination for Chinese tourists with more than 30 million respondents stating a “great interest” in South Africa and that they would put it top of their destination list. South Africa's 2010 hosting of the World Cup will offer a fantastic one-off opportunity to broaden the country's appeal as a tourist destination. The tournament, which will be held in June and July, will offer an immediate benefit by attracting visitors in the tourist low-season

"We are aiming for 2.5 million Chinese visitors every year to South Africa. To accomplish this, South Africa's government has placed a high priority on tourist and tourism related industries. As a key generator of employment in South Africa this will have numerous spin-off benefits in terms of trade and investment," said Manqoba Nyembezi, Tourism Attache of South African Embassy in China.

Aside from attracting individual tourists, South Africa has developed a reputation for being an exceptional meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) destination. South Africa offers many unique MICE-related tourism attractions, such as the country's sophisticated business facilities and rich cultural adventures at diversified provincial tourism sites and South Africa's seven World Heritage sites.

More than just a tourist destination, South Africa also provides an economic development environment ripe for bilateral economic exchange. Since two countries established diplomatic relations in 1998, South Africa has become China's top trading partner in Africa with a growing trade volume of US$7.3 billion in 2005. From an investment perspective, the total volume of two-way investment between China and South Africa was over US$500 million in 2005.

SYDNEY

July 20th, 2006, 05:36 AM

shit..this forum has turned into the oprah show.

You obviously watch that shit - LOL.

Durbsboi

July 20th, 2006, 09:23 AM

You obviously watch that shit - LOL.
:rofl: Its Mo, you can expect him to watch it :runaway:

oh & by the by, Dysan was'nt aiming that comment at you, it was meant fot some dickhead Dweebie.

keep cool

PS: No place is all sunshine & lolly pops.

Mo Rush

July 20th, 2006, 02:18 PM

You obviously watch that shit - LOL.
yes, this thread was turning into that...SHIT.

dysan1

July 20th, 2006, 03:05 PM

Mo Rush

July 20th, 2006, 03:38 PM

'Greenpoint only feasible venue for 2010'

July 20 2006 at 12:08PM

The Cape Town City council has endorsed Greenpoint stadium as the only feasible city venue to host a semifinal match for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

This emerged from an analysis of six possible venues, the council's executive director of transport Mike Marsden said on Thursday.

He said Greenpoint posed the lowest risk with regard to affordability, long-term sustainability and time constraints.

Close contender Culemborg was a lost opportunity as there was insufficient time to resolve issues around land acquisition.

Newlands did not meet the 68 000-seat requirement for hosting a semifinal.

Winfield, Blue Downs and Athlone should not be considered as host venues at all, a consortium of consultants has found. - Sapa

Durbsboi

July 20th, 2006, 04:25 PM

4 BILLION RAND FOR GREENPOINT! thats insane!

Mo Rush

July 20th, 2006, 05:35 PM

Tourists to SA shoot up 26.6%
20/07/2006 16:32
Johannesburg - The total number of foreign travellers who visited South Africa from mainland Africa, overseas and unspecified countries, arriving through all ports of entry during April 2006 was 727 272, Stats SA said on Thursday.

The April 2006 figure represents an increase of 26.6% when compared with the April 2005 figure of 574 364.

The number of foreign travellers who departed from South Africa in April 2006 was 657 019, which increased by 22.9% from 534 648 recorded in April 2005.

During April 2006, the most common mode of travel used by foreign travellers arriving in South Africa was road, involving 534 952 (73.6%) of total travellers, followed by air, involving 178 902 (24.6%) travelers.

Ports of ArrivalOf the total number of foreign travellers arriving by air, 142 873(79.9%) arrived through Johannesburg International Airport while 34 557(19.3%)arrived through Cape Town International Airport, 492 (0.3%) arrived through Durban International Airport and the rest, 980 (0.5%), arrived through other airports.

Those arriving by rail, sea and unspecified modes of travel were 13 418 (1,8%). Among the total number of foreign travellers departing from South Africa, road was the most common mode of travel (468 848 representing 71.4%), followed by air (187 574 representing 28.5%).

Ports of Departure Of the total number of foreign travellers departing by air, 146 948(78.3%)departed from Johannesburg International Airport, 39 039 (20.8%) departed from Cape Town International Airport, 350 (0.2%) used Durban International Airport and the rest, 1 237 (0.7%), departed through other airports.

Those departing by rail, sea and unspecified modes of travel were 597 (0,1%). It is observed that the distribution of air arrivals by port of entry and air departures by port of exit are almost the same.

Overseas visitors

During April 2006, 165 410 overseas travellers visited South Africa. This represents a 13.4% increase in the volume of overseas travellers as compared to April 2005 when there were 145 926 overseas travellers. It must be noted that the Easter holidays in 2006 were in April, whereas in 2005 they fell in March.

African visitors

The total number of travellers who arrived in South Africa from mainland Africa during April 2006 was 558 776, as compared to the April 2005 figure of 422 706, representing an increase of 32.2%.

SA still seen primarily as a holiday destination

Of the 165 410 overseas travellers visiting South Africa during April 2006, 152 883 (92.4%) stated that they were in South Africa for holidays, while 5 280 (3.2%) stated that they were on business trips. Overseas travellers arriving for the purpose of work (including contract work) were 4 674 (2.8%), those in transit were 1 036 (0.6%), those visiting for the purpose of study were 1 276 (0.8%) and those with border traffic concession were 256 (0.2%).

Of the 558 776 travellers from mainland Africa visiting South Africa during April 2006, the vast majority 518 369 (92.8%) stated that they were in South Africa for holidays while 9 095 (1.6%) stated that they were on business trips.

Most vistitors from UK and Europe

During April 2006, the number of travellers from the UK visiting South Africa was 40 795 (24.7%), making it the leading country of origin of overseas travellers. This was followed by travellers from Germany, 20 708 (12.5%) and the USA, 18 965 (11.5%). Other main countries of origin of overseas travellers were: France, 8 532 (5.2%); Netherlands, 7 031 (4.3%); Australia, 6 991 (4.2%); India, 3 834 (2.3%) and Canada, 3 830 (2.3%).

Upon comparing the figures of April 2006 with those of April 2005, the highest increase in the number of arrivals from these leading source countries was for India, (24.0% increase from 3 092 in 2005 to 3 834 in 2006).

The highest percentage of the decrease in the number of travellers was observed for travellers from France (6.8% decrease from 9 154 in 2005 to 8 532 in 2006).

During April 2006, the top five countries in mainland Africa from which travellers arriving in South Africa came were: Lesotho, 166 679 (29.8%); Zimbabwe, 88 918 (15.9%); Swaziland, 85 799 (15.4%); Botswana, 78 575 (14.1%); and Mozambique, 74 251 (13.3%.

SYDNEY

July 21st, 2006, 12:09 AM

DB said it, the comment was aimed at the weebie dude. i dont doubt that most people left for their own valid reasons and as such they are entitled to do it.

BUT the majority of ex-pat south africans are a unique bunch in world terms. Many of them spend so much of their time actively trying to rip south afirca to pieces. ex pats from other countries dont do that to the extreme that south africans do. thats my point! Why spend so much time ripping a country to pieces that u have already left?? why? do i rip my homeland to pieces now that i am in south africa?? NO. to me it is a uniquely south african disposition to do so and frankly something that is, as i said... tres tres tres triste.

I know that it wasn't directed at me but I was speaking for most expats .. not only in this thread but in most of the other threads we are blamed for SA's woes and I promise you that I have never heard an expat in NZ say that they hate SA or try to prevent people from visiting SA. They just offer good advice.

My friends and family in SA have now been told to keep the "bad news" to themselves - I ain't interested, it is depressing. A phone call costs too much to speak about SA's woes ;)

I just wanted to clear things up.

Mo Rush

July 21st, 2006, 04:26 PM

Ferguson backs SA's 2010 plans
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson
Ferguson believes South Africa is on the right track

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is backing South Africa to host a successful World Cup finals in 2010.

While Ferguson said the country still has ground to cover, he has no doubt they can achieve their aims.

Fears about the building of stadia, inadequate public transport and a rise in violent crime have led to suggestions that Fifa is considering switching the tournament to Australia, a claim vehemently denied by them and the South African FA.

"It's a big challenge for South Africa, but it's such a good country and there is so much enthusiasm that I think it will all work well," Ferguson said.

"The important issues they face are to add more stadiums to the ones that are already built, because you will need ten stadia to operate in the World Cup.

"The transport system and security of the fans is another issue, particularly for the fans who are coming into South Africa."

But Ferguson, whose side play Kaizer Chiefs in the final match of their pre-season tour of South Africa, said he is impressed by what he has seen so far.

"The Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg was absolutely fantastic and what really impressed me there was the floodlighting. It was incredible, the best I've ever seen!

"I know they are going to do some renovations there for 2010, but as the stadium is at the moment, there is not a lot wrong with it.

"Newlands in Cape Town is an old stadium, but it creates a fantastic atmosphere.

"They are also already planning to build a new stadium in Cape Town and also in Durban, so progress is being made."

Durbsboi

July 25th, 2006, 10:34 AM

Where the hell did the King Senzagakona Stadium thread go to?

Anyway, at 3pm (GMT +2:00) today, the final of the 3 stands will be imploded of the old kings park, that is 2 days ahead of schedule .

Breaking down the old - building the new, 2010 and beyond

24 July, 2006

His Worship the Mayor, Cllr Obed Mlaba, requests the pleasure of your company at a symbolic ceremony to mark the demolition of the old Kings Park Soccer Stadium and celebrate the design and construction of the new King Senzangakhona Stadium as part of preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament.

In this symbolic event, the Mayor and the Honourable Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Sibusiso Ndebele, will briefly touch on partnerships involving the city, the province, national government and the private sector in terms of commitments to this event of historic proportions.

All KZN mayors and guests will be presented with commemorative artifacts.
The ceremony will take place as follows:

DATE: Tuesday (tomorrow), 25th July 2006

VENUE: Kings Park Soccer Stadium

TIME: 14h30

Mo Rush

July 25th, 2006, 08:20 PM

SA sees billions of rands spent on World Cup

July 25 2006 at 04:17PM

Cape Town - South Africa will soon begin work on its stadiums for the 2010 World Cup finals and the costs should run to about R6-billion, the head of its local organising committee told parliament on Tuesday.

The tournament is expected to inject billions of rand into Africa's largest economy and create badly-needed jobs in a country with an unemployment rate officially estimated at over 25 percent.

"The World Cup will deliver an overwhelming positive outcome in economic terms," Danny Jordaan said.

Jordaan, speaking to a committee debating a special Sports Measures Bill, said the building of four new stadiums and the refurbishment of a further four would all be under way by January.

He said construction of a new stadium in Port Elizabeth would begin in October, to be followed in November by work on a major revamp of Soccer City, the Johannesburg venue where the 2010 final will be played.

Fifa has allocated the South African local organising committee a budget of R3,2-billion with a quarter of the money already transferred to the country, Jordaan said.

A further $130-million has been given to the South African Football Association by world football's governing body.

Cape Town's new stadium will have a 70 000 capacity with a retractable roof, Jordaan said, and is earmarked to host one of the semifinals.

Soccer City, which already has a capacity of 75 000, would be increased to a new capacity of 104 000. It will host the final.

A total of three million tickets will be sold for the 2010 tournament, one third for the South African market, one third for international fans and the other third reserved for marketing partners and Fifa.

Jordaan said South Africa expected 350 000 visitors for the tournament in 2010, way down on the numbers in Germany.

"This is because of our geographical position and the cost of long distance travel," said Jordaan.

The Game Is Up

July 26th, 2006, 11:22 AM

OK. How about the other grounds not in PE, Jo'burg, Cape or Durbs? Are there any issues or updates on them?

Durbsboi

July 26th, 2006, 01:09 PM

Well Cape Towns design hasnt been made public as yet, but they planning to start construction by Jan next year, Durban is still demolishing the existing stadium, so construction Durbans stadium should begin in Nov or Dec

Tricky

July 26th, 2006, 01:50 PM

can someone please give us indication as to what the average wage/salary in South Africa is?... and how much is that in EUR?... just trying to get an idea how many South Africans will actually be able to afford those expensive tickets to World Cup games in 2010

Mo Rush

July 26th, 2006, 04:18 PM

OK. How about the other grounds not in PE, Jo'burg, Cape or Durbs? Are there any issues or updates on them?
Rustenburg - Existing (minor upgrades) 40,000
Bloemfontein - Existing ( a new grand stand) 46,000
Nelspruit - New stadium, Construction should start January 40,000
Loftus Versfeld - Existing 52,000
Peter Mokaba Stadium - Existing (upgrade)...or new stadium built.

skaP187

July 26th, 2006, 07:29 PM

Have I missed something, or are there so little designs ready, I did not see that much designs of the new to build or to be upgraded stadiums... (yep I am back again)
I saw Durban (which is wicked, specialy with the option to have a grand prix running through it) and some planns for soccercity, but for the rest (The WC 2006 is over now...)

Mo Rush

July 27th, 2006, 03:01 PM

Durban prepares for 2010 World Cup tournament
Kings Park stadium demolished, making way for a new stadium

Kings Park stadium demolished, making way for a new stadium
July 27, 2006, 06:15

Durban's preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup shifted into a higher gear with the final demolition of the Kings Park Stadium. This paves the way for the construction of the new Senzangakhona Stadium. The stadium is billed to host one of the tourney's semi-finals.

The 70 000-seater Senzangakhona Stadium is expected to be completed in 2009, in time for the Confederation Cup. Elsewhere in the metropole, access roads to the inner city have either been built or are nearing completion.

The end of a bygone era, like a phoenix the new Senzangakhona Stadium will rise. Fears about the city's readiness to host the world cup were put to rest with the preparatory work already underway. The P577 Duffs Road is expcted to ease the traffic conjestion expected for soccer's showpiece. Figures indicate roads around Durban are 90% congested.

S'bu Ndebele, the premier, said the revamped Duffs Road which is also scheduled for completion in 2009, will make life easier for the local people by easing the congestion on both the N2 and the N3.

Bheki Cele, the Transport MEC, said other road infrastructure development projects are also taking place at various places in the province.

However, there was a damper to the enthusiasm for the projects. Rumours abound that Durban will not have an opportunity of staging a curtain raiser to the World Cup by hosting the Confederation Cup in 2009.
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Genç

July 27th, 2006, 07:54 PM

Guys, can't the running track at Rustenburg be removed so accomodate more seating?

skaP187

July 27th, 2006, 08:34 PM

yes it can! (f they will is something else...)

Mo Rush

July 27th, 2006, 09:32 PM

Guys, can't the running track at Rustenburg be removed so accomodate more seating?
For the world cup extra rows of seating will be added to increase capacity i dont think the running track will be removed. off topic south africa play NZ at the rustenburg stadium 2 september(tri nations)

Durbsboi

July 28th, 2006, 12:27 PM

Go Bokke! :runaway:

Mo Rush

July 30th, 2006, 02:57 AM

WE GOTSA COACH

Parreira named new Bafana coach
Carlos Alberto Parreira, the new Bafana Bafana coach

Carlos Alberto Parreira, the new Bafana Bafana coach
July 29, 2006, 07:00

The search for the Bafana Bafana coach is over. Carlos Alberto Parreira, a Brazilian, is the man who will lead Bafana into the future. The good news was confirmed by Molefi Oliphant, the South African Football Association (Safa) president at a gala dinner in Cape Town last night.

Parreira resigned as head coach of Brazil after they were knocked out in the quarter finals at the recent World Cup in Germany. Parreira resigned as head coach of Brazil after they were knocked out in the quarter finals at the recent World Cup in Germany.

It is alleged that Safa had reportedly offered to pay the Brazilian in excess of R1 million a month as they pursued an urgent quest to obtain a world class coach for the 2010 World Cup.

Parreira is expected to arrive in Johannesburg in the next two weeks.
__________________

Mo Rush

July 30th, 2006, 02:58 AM

panamaboy9016

July 30th, 2006, 03:28 AM

Man that's like a football stadium! Wao, what sucks is that I can't see the picture.

Mo Rush

July 30th, 2006, 04:08 AM

Man that's like a football stadium! Wao, what sucks is that I can't see the picture.
which picture?

The Game Is Up

July 30th, 2006, 05:53 AM

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=594&art_id=vn20060729085448828C829530

Cape stadium design unveiled

Igsaan Salie
July 29 2006 at 05:14PM

The City of Cape Town has released the first artist's impressions of what the proposed multibillion rand 2010 World Cup stadium in Green Point will look like.

The images are the first public sighting of the concept design for the stadium. Standing almost 40m high and with a 5.3 hectare footprint, the stadium will change the Green Point landscape considerably.

The design is for a massive all-weather structure that will occupy the existing stadium site.

The inside of the stadium is divided into three tiers of seating accommodating the 68 000-capacity crowd. However, after the World Cup, the plan is to reduce the capacity to 55 000 by removing the upper tier.

The area occupied by the third tier will be converted into a conference and reception venue. City mayor Helen Zille's spokesperson Robert MacDonald, said that the drawings were preliminary and the architects were still busy with the details of the plan and design of the stadium.

"This is really just a sketch to give the idea of the scale and size of stadium and how it fits into the surroundings."

He said that the more detailed architectural drawing and the business plan would be handed over to the national treasury for budget cost considerations later this year.

Construction of the stadium is expected to start at the beginning of next year in order to be completed in time for the Fifa inspection in 2008. The city is in the process of bidding for both the opening match of the prestigious event as well as securing a semi-final game.

The artist's impressions released on Friday are the "rough preliminary drawings" used by the researchers conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment.

Their study looked at the two proposed sites for the stadium - one using a portion of the Metropolitan Golf Course and the other placing the stadium where the existing stadium is.

The stadium has been at the centre of much controversy and political squabbling in recent months with Zille initially stopping the process soon after taking office in March to ascertain where the funding for the stadium would come from.

Despite earlier indications that the stadium would cost in the region of R1.4 billion the city's financial study found the cost would be closer to between R3-billion and R4-billion.

On Friday the city said it was calling for public comment regarding the rezoning of portions of the Green Point common to accommodate the stadium development.

Key aspects of the rezoning proposals will be presented at a public meeting together with the Draft Environmental Report findings on August 7 at the Sea Point Civic Centre.

The rezoning report will be available for inspection at the Land Use Management Counter on the 14th Floor of the Cape Town Civic Centre, at City libraries and on the city's website www.capetown.gov.za from Tuesday.

igsaans@incape.co.za

KiwiBrit

July 30th, 2006, 09:21 AM

^^ ^^

So where is the artists impression???

The Game Is Up

July 30th, 2006, 10:58 AM

Mo Rush

July 30th, 2006, 12:59 PM

It must be super-secret or something. ;)

Actually, it could be that the reporter has seen it but the newssite decided not to print a picture of it. Both the Cape Town government (http://www.capetown.gov.za/) and the Green Point Common (http://www.greenpointcommon.co.za/pages/default.asp) site don't have it uploaded yet. I'd check on those sites more than the local media.

Artists Impression has not been made available to the public
Visit http://www.enviropartnership.co.za/projects.html for all the documents and figures and plans relating to the stadium. Images from some documents provide a view of the general site plan.

This is my generic impression of the site plan. The stadium is not the "actual" design..but its location and placement and height etc. are based on the documents made available at the above website.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7122/ct2010stadium5nn9.jpg

Weebie

July 31st, 2006, 03:02 AM

Durbsboi

July 31st, 2006, 09:31 AM

Mo Rush

July 31st, 2006, 06:01 PM

Im in the engineering industry? so what you on about? We building 10 storey buildings & shopping complex's in a flash. Not sure about the unqualified people you talking about, I know people in the consortiums which are building the Stadiums, they seem pretty qualified to me.

China..........ooookay, I will mark those words
china? if there is to be a back up host..its germany..not some new country with little football tradition...transport system ready 2 years before world cup?

the berlin train station was completed when?...it opened within the week of 23 may 2006 to be exact..."unqualified people" in south africa..?huh?

SYDNEY

July 31st, 2006, 11:06 PM

Mo Rush

August 1st, 2006, 12:04 AM

My sister lives in South Africa and she emailed me the SURVIVAL KIT for The World Cup 2010 (the latest "must have" from NOKIA for every tourist visiting South Africa) ;)

http://i.pbase.com/o4/07/617107/1/64398446.4Dq0LuKf.GUN.JPG
oh wait enigma ill show u how to use it...point towards ur head...and pull the trigger.:)

SYDNEY

August 1st, 2006, 12:18 AM

oh wait enigma ill show u how to use it...point towards ur head...and pull the trigger.:)

:hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :hahaha: :hahaha: :hahaha:

dysan1

August 1st, 2006, 01:15 AM

Your still all misguided fools.

I'm sorry for the Africans i am not racist but as someone who works in the engineering industry this is getting stupid.

The Transport system has to be ready 2 years before the World Cup. With 4 years to go nothing has been done. Secondly if you think those Stadiums will be ready in time well then you are having a laugh. There are too many unqualfied people in South Africa running this operation.

Mark my words i have my sources and the World Cup is going to China.

Lol u a funny dude. My Dad is the chairman of the KZN branch of the south african association of engineers. they do alot fo work all over africa, asia and europe with a durban based company that has worldwide industry leading technology that they hold the patents to. They see no problems.

Why must the transport be ready 2 years before? nowhere has that ever been stated. if u use that philosophy then the olympics in sydney shouldnt have gone ahead cos that transport plan took forever to happen, same with athens.

U pulling at anything u can find...it is highly amusing...goodluck with ur efforts...i'm sure it makes u feel all warm and fuzzy.

...Enigma... what can i say....

Durbsboi

August 1st, 2006, 09:19 AM

My sister lives in South Africa and she emailed me the SURVIVAL KIT for The World Cup 2010 (the latest "must have" from NOKIA for every tourist visiting South Africa) ;)

http://i.pbase.com/o4/07/617107/1/64398446.4Dq0LuKf.GUN.JPG
This is the out dated one dude, I got the one with 3G & TV streaming with 10 gig memory for mp3's, & it has a camera on top of the barrel to video who you shooting :crazy:

SYDNEY

August 1st, 2006, 11:22 AM

This is the out dated one dude, I got the one with 3G & TV streaming with 10 gig memory for mp3's, & it has a camera on top of the barrel to video who you shooting :crazy:

You lucky bugger - you have it made Mate ! ;)

CharlieP

August 2nd, 2006, 07:42 PM

I just caught the end of a report on the 2010 World Cup on the BBC News, but I can't see it on their website...

Durbsboi

August 3rd, 2006, 09:27 AM

Dno, dont watch BBC, but everthing seems to be going on quietly here in SAm just the normal news, about the City's gearing up for 2010, the different councils drawing up plans for security, transport & so on, here in Durban, the demolition of the old stadium is still going on, not sure when they will clear all the rubble from the blast's.

But will keep your'll informed if anything major comes up

skaP187

August 3rd, 2006, 12:07 PM

Planns/ Designs????

dysan1

August 3rd, 2006, 10:45 PM

DB they not clearing the rubble...they reusing it in the new stadium for some purpose, thats what they keep saying in the paper...so its not going anywhere.

Durbsboi

August 4th, 2006, 09:23 AM

I know, but they have to clear up the rubble to take to the crusher.....duh, they clearing the rubble of the stand to the center of the field, where the crusher will sit, so they can start demolishing the side of the stadium, when I drove to work today I saw the bull dozers knocking down the toilets facing NMR avenue.

Mo Rush

August 4th, 2006, 01:54 PM

Cold weather raises concerns over 2010 world cup
2010 World Cup date raises concerns

Michael Palmer, of FIFA
August 04, 2006, 12:00

The harsh weather conditions currently being experienced in South Africa have raised doubts over whether mid-winter is the best time to hold a Soccer World Cup in South Africa. However, the chances that FIFA will change the dates are slim.

The recent World Cup in Germany has been hailed as a massive success, partly due to hot summer temperatures with late sunsets allowing spectators to enjoy the event even more. This has raised speculation that the dates for 2010 might be shifted from June/July to September, but it won't be easy.

Michael Palmer, of FIFA, said: "The main reason is that traditionally that's the date it holds on the calender but of course traditions are there to be broken from time to time."

If the dates are changed, it would mean that all the worldwide league games and knock out competitions, as well as popular competitions like the European Champions League and the Uefa Cup, would have to be moved. Difficult, as Palmer said, but not impossible.

If the local organising committee can come up with a compelling reason to shift the dates, FIFA will consider it.

Mo Rush

August 6th, 2006, 12:18 PM

/24-7PressRelease/ - SOUTH AFRICA, August 06, 2006 - With temperatures falling below zero degrees celsius in many of South Africa's stadia locations for the FIFA World Cup(TM) 2010, leading soccer analysts are calling for a rethink on the timing of the world's biggest sporting event.

Says Dr Nikolaus Eberl, Author of 'The IziCwe Code: Disruptive Innovation': "The 2006 World Cup held in Germany has shifted the experience of soccer from the stadia to the after-game party events where international visitors are now expecting the very best in terms of entertainment for many hours after the game hgas ended. In Germany, this was borne out by the concept of the Fan Feste, the fan festivals which attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors and were considered the highlights of the world cup. To hold fan festivals in the South African winter, with temperatures falling below zero degrees celsius and the prospect of cold rains and shivery winds, is putting up a huge gamble. FIFA should consider moving the 2010 world cup to December when the bulk of soccer aficionados are escaping the European / American winter and have nearly double the spending power, due to the bonus payments and saving habits of corporate employees in industrialized countries. This would boost visitor levels and have a tremendous impact on the South African hospitality industry."

Dr Nikolaus recently introduced a revolutionary innovation model, called The IziCwe Code, at the Global Leaders Africa Summit in Johannesburg, sharing the stage with world renowned leadership gurus Tom Peters, Rudy Giuliani and Michael Porter. Based upon the innovation strategies of the legendary Zulu King Shaka, The IziCwe Code is about inspiring employees to question the tried and tested and search for new ways to deliver world-class service. In anticipation of the FIFA World Cup in 2010, large South African organisations are calling upon The IziCwe Code to engage their employees in Iklwa Innovation (so called after the revolutionary new weapon introduced by Emperor Shaka) and align employee commitment to President Mbeki's 2010 Promise.

Dr Nikolaus and co-author Herman Schoonbee published "The IziCwe Code: Internal Branding" in 2005 (Academy Press, foreword by Reuel Khoza), which was recently critically reviewed by President Thabo Mbeki in his Letter from the President; using "the analytical tools contained in The IziCwe Code", the President issued the challenge to government leaders to "generate the kind of commitment that will ensure that ...our government at all levels ... can be trusted to honour the brand promise!"

Sparks

August 6th, 2006, 12:51 PM

:bash: It's rather basic that, you would think they would have at least thought about the weather before they spent the millions upon millions on the bid. Very basic thing to forget for fifa as well if they did. I can't believe this has just become an issue now, 2 years after the bid was won and at over 5 years after they knew they were going to be bidding. Does it normally get this cold in SA this time of year?

There is no chance they would change the whole European season to fit in with the WC, the logistics are just impossible and there is much money and influence in UEFA for it to happen.

dysan1

August 6th, 2006, 01:20 PM

^^ It's not impossible, but unlikely that the dates would change. Nothing is ever impossible.

Regards the weather, the interior always gets cold in winter, just like it does for you lot. It snows in the mountains and generally the country cools. We dont have balmy hot weather all year round. It rains alot in Cape Town too since it is their rainy season. I could go on about that not all of SA gets a cold winter...but mo will bring out some comment that i'm being anti him again...but i'm still going to the beach in Durban :)

Durbsboi

August 7th, 2006, 10:56 AM

OO my it is hot today in Sunny Durban, Regarding the weather issue, it also perplex's me to see that they havent thought of it, maybe at the start of August? the weather should be getting better by then, September is tooo late.

Took a drive past Kings Park, they coming along nicely with the demolition, the bulldozers are at it.

Migelson

August 8th, 2006, 02:13 AM

My sister lives in South Africa and she emailed me the SURVIVAL KIT for The World Cup 2010 (the latest "must have" from NOKIA for every tourist visiting South Africa) ;)

http://i.pbase.com/o4/07/617107/1/64398446.4Dq0LuKf.GUN.JPG

Ja,ja...when you are answering the phone, it appears that you're killing yourself..

Mo Rush

August 9th, 2006, 01:10 AM

FIFA HQ nears completion
SA headquarters for Fifa near completion
Cape Town, South Africa
08 August 2006 08:40

The new headquarters for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup will be completed and fully operational by the end of October, the South African government news agency, BuaNews, reported on Monday.

This comes just 11 months after South African President Thabo Mbeki and Fifa president Sepp Blatter held a sod-turning ceremony at what is to be the South African Football Association's (Safa) new home.

Safa House, as it will be known, will become the central nerve centre of the 2010 World Cup, hosting operations for Fifa, the world football governing body, and the South African local organising committee.

It is envisaged that it will house 250 staff. Construction began in November last year at Soccer City, Nasrec, Johannesburg. The new building will be 5 000 square metres in size, topped off by a dome measuring 16m across.

Fifa was reported as saying the headquarters would feature a "breathtaking" triple volume entrance with a museum charting the history of South Africa's football while displaying football movies in a special "pod" at the centre of the hall.

Beyond 2010, Safa House will become not only the headquarters of Safa, but also the home of the Premier Soccer League.

Most of the internal work such as wiring and the installation of air conditioning is sub-contracted to black economic empowerment companies.

Meanwhile, BuaNews reported that countrywide, the construction of four new stadiums is expected to be completed within three years. The stadiums will be designed for Cape Town (Green Point Stadium), Durban (Kings' Park), Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) and Nelspruit (Mbombela Stadium).

Mo Rush

August 9th, 2006, 01:18 AM

Architect confident 2010 stadiums will be ready on time

August 08, 2006 Edition 1

Soccer

WORK on three of South Africa's new stadiums for the 2010 soccer World Cup can be completed in three years, though such a tight timetable would not have been feasible in bureaucratic Germany, says a German architect involved in the project.

Hubert Nienhoff, a leading Berlin architect who has helped to design stadiums for Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, said planning so late would have been impossible in highly regulated Germany but there was still enough time for South Africa.

"The decision to begin construction now is actually too late for us Germans," said Nienhoff, referring to his country's web of rules that give a wide range of agencies and the public the right to inspect and challenge any significant building project.

Nienhoff said the renovation work on Germany's 12 World Cup stadiums for this year's finals had to be planned much further in advance to meet the strict requirements.

"By 1999, we were already planning for the Olympic Stadium. That's seven years before the event took place," he told journalists in Berlin recently.

South Africa will also have a smaller budget than Germany for its World Cup, the first to be held in Africa.

The South African organising committee has said that the total stadium costs will be about R6 billion. Germany spent e1.5 billion (R12.92 billion) for building or upgrading its 12 stadiums.

South Africa's budget covers the costs for 10 new and existing venues in nine host cities. The opening match and final have been set for Johannesburg's Soccer City, which will seat 104 000.

Nienhoff, a partner at Germany's leading Gerkan, Marg and Partner (GMP) architecture firm, said the three stadiums designed by his company would be finished a year ahead of time in 2009 and would be unlike any others in World Cup history.

"I'm extremely impressed with South Africa - with the beautiful landscape as well as the people. Our partners there are very goal-oriented and determined," he said.

Acclaim

The firm won widespread acclaim for its work on German World Cup stadiums in Cologne, Frankfurt and Berlin. It also designed Berlin's new, futuristic, glass-domed central train station.

"I think one could say the stadiums in Germany are state-of-the-art and they have set the latest standard," Nienhoff said.

Nienhoff said GMP had been working closely with African artists and planners to ensure that the new stadiums reflected the region's culture.

Of the three they have designed, the 85 000-seat King's Park Stadium in Durban, a popular tourist destination, will be the largest.

The three-tier Durban stadium will be patterned after the South African flag, with two overhead arches - fused together at one end - spanning the length of the arena. A "Skywalk" is planned for the arches and the building is designed to withstand strong winds off the nearby Indian Ocean.

"We feel fortunate to have got such a perfect location in Durban and it is important that the stadium stands out from the city skyline," Nienhoff said.

The Durban stadium would belie fears of inadequate transport links, he said, with access to a motorway and a railway station.

South African President Thabo Mbeki last month announced a R3 billion spending programme to upgrade the country's decrepit public transport system.

In Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay Arena will be built near the North End Lake and will seat 40 000. The new arena in Cape Town will seat 70 000 and will have a retractable roof.

It has already been earmarked to host one of the semi-finals.

Local municipalities will pay e56 million (R487 million) for the new arena in Port Elizabeth and roughly e170 million (R1.4 billion) each for the new projects in Cape Town and Durban.

By comparison, GMP restorations to Berlin's Olympic Stadium, the site of this year's final, cost e250 million (R2.1 billion).

Nienhoff said the new stadiums would be multi-functional and not soccer-specific, in accordance with South African officials' hopes of one day hosting other major sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games or Olympics. - Reuters

Mo Rush

August 9th, 2006, 02:12 PM

2010 World Cup Venues Slideshow.

http://img146.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img146/1233/1155122872b6x.smil (2010 World Cup Venues)

Tricky

August 9th, 2006, 02:51 PM

Mo Rush

August 9th, 2006, 03:01 PM

Great slideshow... and great stadiums. But I wonder how these new big ones can be sustainable over the long-term? In Europe at least you do have big football leagues and often (near) sell-out crowds (at least in England and Germany).

What does the South African Football Federation say to those who fear the construction of "white elephants" that cost billions of $$?

In terms of sustainability the existing venues are used regularly and are sustainable.

New venues in Durban and Cape Town have the biggest challenge in terms of sustainability. However these are both growing cities attracting international events and both will eventually bid for a commonwealth and/ olympic games.

The new venues in smaller cities such as Nelspruit and Polokwane are really needed in those parts of the country. I dont think they will be left unused by the residents of those cities.

The venue for the final could possibly play the role of the "wembley of south africa", like wembley this stadium is the heart of south african soccer and just last weekend was packed to capacity for the telkom charity cup...its upgrade will only IMO lead to increased use.

The existing venues are used week in and week out for rugby and soccer and concerts etc...so they are self sufficient. The stadium in port elizabeth too will be used for various sports after the world cup and will be one of the few stadia who will have their capacities reduced after the world cup.

The stadia in durban and cape town will seat 55,000 after the world cup, while the stadia in smaller cities will reduce capacity according to their needs.

Mo Rush

August 9th, 2006, 03:10 PM

Tricky

August 10th, 2006, 09:25 AM

cool - thanks. Glad to see that sustainability will be ensured. Good for South Africa, good for the people, and good for FIFA.

;)

Durbsboi

August 10th, 2006, 09:29 AM

Well I was gonna reply , but I see Mo's made all the good points, thanx Mo

p2bsa

August 10th, 2006, 06:31 PM

King Shaka International 2 B ready by 2010
...Well I sincerely Hope!

BPR
PR-AIRPORT-DURBAN
SAPA PR WIRE SERVICE - SAPA PR WIRE SERVICE - SAPA PR WIRE SERVICE
SAPA PR -- DUBE TRANSPORT AND THE AIRPORT AT LA MERCY ON RUNWAY READY
Issued by: Ministry of Transport
Attention: News Editors
For immediate release:
DUBE TRADEPORT AND THE AIRPORT AT LA MERCY ON RUNWAY READY TO TAKE OFF
I am pleased to announce the final rationalized structure for the management and ownership of the integrated Dube Tradeport and the airport at La Mercy.
The various engagements with all parties have come a long and rocky road, but we have finalized a structure that represents both certainty, cost rationalization, ease of management and implementation as well as correctly apportioning risk and responsibility. I am also pleased to announce that the airport at La Mercy will be operational, and the Durban International Airport de-commissioned in the first quarter of 2010.
The existing processes that have been performed by either ACSA and or the Dube Trade Port company will be continued to the agreed time-schedules and within the parameters that have been established to date.
ACSA shall exclusively build, operate and own the airport and the passenger terminals in terms of the procurement that is currently in process by Dube Tradeport company, and to the existing timelines agreed in that process. The key date in that process being that all construction shall be completed by December 2009. The airport will then be commissioned by the first quarter of 2010, well in time for the 2010 World Cup.
The Dube Tradeport company shall exclusively own manage and develop the tradeport, the agrizones and the cyberport, including the cargo handling terminals in the airport. The land will be transferred to the Dube Tradeport company for development for its own account. These facilities will be integrated into the existing integrated logistics system planning processes occurring at national, provincial and local level.
All developments that do not strictly fall within the narrow definition of airport business or tradeport business and all land associated therewith, shall be owned and developed within a 50/50
joint venture between ACSA and the Dube Tradeport company. Wherever possible, private sector involvement will be sought, with a particular emphasis on BEE involvement.
Masterplanning for the entire precinct and the re-development of the existing DIA site shall be done jointly by the parties, the KZN Province and Ethekwini Municipality under the leadership of the Department of Transport.
This entire project must be integrated at all levels and to ensure that, I have implemented a management structure that ensures that the development will go according to the timelines and decision-making and oversight will be effective.
The decision-making structure will be the Political Committee, that I shall chair, which will include representation from the KZN Province, Ethekwini Municipality and the ACSA Board. A Steering Committee that will be responsible for the operational management, technical issues and project management of the entire development as well as ensuring its delivery, will be chaired by the Director General of Transport and shall include senior officials and executive management from ACSA, the KZN Province, Ethekwini Municipality and the Dube Tradeport company.
It is with great optimism and enthusiasm that I look forward to the successful delivery of the Dube Tradeport and the international airport. The benefits of this integrated logistics platform, the commercial developments therein and the passenger facilities, represents a new road that will bring prosperity to the area and benefit to the country.
Issued by
Ministry of Transport

ultrasiete

August 10th, 2006, 07:43 PM

Nice stadiums. The 2010 World Cup will help South Africa in many ways.

Mo Rush

August 13th, 2006, 01:27 PM

THE WORLD CUP FINAL STADIUM DESIGN

http://www.coolimagehosting.com/uploads/870bc757e3.jpg

dysan1

August 13th, 2006, 04:37 PM

when will we be able to get renders?

Mo Rush

August 13th, 2006, 06:06 PM

when will we be able to get renders?
i dunno..

hectorfran7

August 13th, 2006, 08:24 PM

Hellow everyone, speaking of international football tournaments. Next year, my home country, Venezuela, will be hosting the most ancient football cup in the World: LA COPA AMERICA.
All south American Countries along with some others guests from centre and north America gather together to face each other and fight for the supremacy of the new Continent.

A significant investemnt is being made by the goverment in order that Venezuela become the best organizer ever. This might seem very easy to achieve for an oil-rich country that is now being benefited from the oil prices, but bear in mind that the biggest challenge for the Venezuelans will be to accept football as the country's main sport, since Venezuela is an stablished power as far as baseball is concerned, and it has concentrated on that sport only for many deacdes, however, that history has been changing over the last years.

Well, having said that, i'm going to show you the 9 venues that are being considered to hosts at least one game of the cup. Remember, consider that Venezuela has not a strong football tradition (but we have been achieving our best records in world cup qualifiers in the last years, we are coming!) and this stadiums wont necesarily strike you, though i hope you'll enjoy it!

Ah, by the way you are all invited in July next year.
______________________________________________________________
CITY: PUERTO LA CRUZ
STADIUM NAME: LUIS RAMOS
TOURIST ATTRACTION: CARIBBEAN BEACHES
CAPACITY: 40.000 (ALL SEATED)

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/7682/anzoategui2ud0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/1967/anzoategui5aj1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CITY: MARACAIBO
STADIUM NAME: JOSE ENCARNACION "PACHENCHO" ROMERO
TOURIST ATTRACTION: COLONIAL AVENUE, CITY ATTRACTIONS
CAPACITY: 40.000 (ALL SEATED)

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/8162/pachencho4nt7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/9220/pachencho6ut6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CITY: SAN CRISTOBAL
STADIUM NAME: PUEBLO NUEVO
TOURIST ATTRACTION: MOUNTAIN RANGE
CAPACITY: 45.000 (ALL SEATED)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/2/pueblo3ef4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/6539/pueblo4vj7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CITY: CARACAS (Capital city)
STADIUM NAME: OLIMPICO DE LA UCV
TOURIST ATTRACTION: CITY ATTRACTIONS, BEACHES, MOUNTAINS...
CAPACITY: 40.000 (ALL SEATED)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/1337/olimpico2eh8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/9484/olimpico1je8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CITY: MERIDA
STADIUM NAME: METROPOLITANO DE MERIDA
TOURIST ATTRACTION: SNOWED PEAKS, HIGHEST CABLE CAR IN THE WORLD
CAPACITY: 42.000 (ALL SEATED)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/1629/merida1vz1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/5522/merida7rn4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CITY: BARINAS
STADIUM NAME: LA CAROLINA
TOURIST ATTRACTION: FLAT LANDS, ECO-TURISM

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/8479/barinas3ch0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/2034/barinas2dn6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CITY: MATURIN
STADIUM NAME: JUANA RAMIREZ
TOURIST ATTRACTION: EXOTIC LANDSCAPES AND CAVES
CAPACITY: 50.000 (ALL SEATED)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/7374/maturin5in3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/9987/maturin1dy3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CITY: BARQUISIMETO
STADIUM NAME: METROPOLITANO DE BARQUISIMETO
TOURIST ATTRACTION: CULTURAL VENUES AND CITY ATTRACTIONS
CAPACITY: 40.000 (ALL SEATED)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/2476/barquisimeto1qr6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CITY: PUERTO ORDAZ
STADIUM NAME: CACHAMAY
TOURIST ATTRACTION: HIGHEST WATERFALL IN THE WORLD, RIVERS ETC.
CAPACITY: 41.600 (ALL SEATED)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/1406/guayana3hh3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/8788/guayana5dd5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
_______________________________________________________________

All the stadiums are being either constructed or improved, though most of them are starting from nothing. So far, we don't know where the opening game will be held nor how many of this venues will be chosen officialy by the CONMEBOL to hold cup's games.

COPA AMERICA FROM JUNE 26TH TO JULY 15TH

hectorfran7

August 13th, 2006, 08:40 PM

for more information, visit www.venezuela2007.com (in spanish)

Mo Rush

August 13th, 2006, 10:23 PM

please remove your post regarding venezuela and the copa america as there is a relevant thread for that. if not, mods please edit the appropriate post. thanks

ÜberMaromas

August 13th, 2006, 10:39 PM

THE WORLD CUP FINAL STADIUM DESIGN

http://www.coolimagehosting.com/uploads/870bc757e3.jpg
Looks like they ripped off the Allianz Area and add some kind of african details...
I liked it..but look too much like Munich stadium

hectorfran7

August 14th, 2006, 12:15 AM

please remove your post regarding venezuela and the copa america as there is a relevant thread for that. if not, mods please edit the appropriate post. thanks

ok you are right, the administrator may remove it, i'll put it in an appropiate thread.

Mo Rush

August 14th, 2006, 01:25 AM

Looks like they ripped off the Allianz Area and add some kind of african details...
I liked it..but look too much like Munich stadium
munich + add in 40,000 seats... there is slight a resemblance to the munich stadium...but the design is an authentic african calabash...

SA BOY

August 14th, 2006, 11:29 AM

so what we are saying is munich ripped african calabash!

Durbsboi

August 14th, 2006, 11:33 AM

^^Exactly!

dysan1

August 14th, 2006, 09:17 PM

lol...think we need to wait until we see the hi res images, for it may look alot different in detail.

Lets wait for the CT stadium. They have all already said Durbs's is a "rip off" of wembley, Soccer city is a "rip off" of allianz, what else is let guys?

lol this "rip off" talk is getting very humourous

Its AlL gUUd

August 14th, 2006, 09:50 PM

good luck to SA. its gonna be a challenge, but hope they meet it

Mo Rush

August 14th, 2006, 10:04 PM

Durbsboi

August 15th, 2006, 08:42 AM

good luck to SA. its gonna be a challenge, but hope they meet it
We will meet it & have cake & eat it :D

CT's stadium will be a rip off of Testra dome! not Millenium

Mo Rush

August 16th, 2006, 06:56 AM

We will meet it & have cake & eat it :D

CT's stadium will be a rip off of Testra dome! not Millenium
telstra dome is ugly

Durbsboi

August 16th, 2006, 10:22 AM

^^dont make ur problem my problem, Millenium is only used for Rugby & soccer, CT want a stadium that can host athletics too :)

Mo Rush

August 16th, 2006, 07:28 PM

Marketing rights for 2010 Fifa World Cup to reach €3 bn

Indiantelevision.com Team

(16 August 2006 2:00 pm)

MUMBAI: The value of the marketing rights for the 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa is set to take a further leap to reach close to €3 billion.

This compares with about €1.9 billion for this year’s World Cup in Germany.

The figures are contained in Sportcal.com’s recently-published World Cup 2006: The Commercial Report. Fifa estimates that media rights, including new media, would be worth about €1.8 billion in 2010, while sponsorship would be worth €1.1 billion. Many of the main television rights deals for the 2010 event have already been concluded, together with a reduced number of six, more lucrative, deals with top-tier Fifa partners.

The figures represent a massive increase on even a World Cup as recent as that of 1998, when the media rights were worth only about €100 million and the sponsorship rights about €70 million.

Overall commercial revenues for the 2010 World Cup look certain to be pushed above €3 billion once ticket revenue is taken into account. For this year’s event, ticket revenues were worth about €200 million.

The largest single contributor to 2010 World Cup revenues is once again set to be ARD and ZDF, the Germany public-service broadcasters, which are paying €200 million to acquire the television rights for the tournament in Germany. This compares with the €170 million they paid for the rights for this summer’s event.

This year’s soccer World Cup generated €1.9 billion in marketing revenue, with the sale of television and new media rights raising €1.2 billion and the remaining €700 million deriving from other sources such as sponsorship and hospitality.

skaP187

August 16th, 2006, 10:26 PM

hey but eh... any designs yet??? real designs I mean. it is less then four years now and still no action, except in Durban, and even those, I liked the stadium I think, but the qualety of the presentation was bad like me spelling it...

no more excuses, GERMANY IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!! gimmy some f'...ing designs!!!! no bullshit gimmy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGHHHHH!!!!!!!

skaP187

August 16th, 2006, 10:28 PM

THE WORLD CUP FINAL STADIUM DESIGN

http://www.coolimagehosting.com/uploads/870bc757e3.jpg

and I don't mean this!!! I cannot dream of this.... Presentation!!!

dysan1

August 17th, 2006, 12:18 AM

Do you want us to suck them out our arse? come to the SA forum...all the stadia have dedicated threads there with images!

And what was wrong with the durban stadium images? they are hi res

skaP187

August 17th, 2006, 10:11 AM

Do you want us to suck them out our arse? come to the SA forum...all the stadia have dedicated threads there with images!

And what was wrong with the durban stadium images? they are hi res

eeeeh hi res??? hehehe don't worry, be happy res, but okay I'll check the SA forum and maybe eat my words...

Durbsboi

August 17th, 2006, 10:36 AM

Getting alittle jumpy are we?

Mo Rush

August 17th, 2006, 11:52 PM

Do you want us to suck them out our arse? come to the SA forum...all the stadia have dedicated threads there with images!

And what was wrong with the durban stadium images? they are hi res
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7936/soccercityui9.jpg

Mo Rush

August 18th, 2006, 12:02 AM

say what?

Port Elizabeth
Nelson Mandela Metro
Capacity 50,000

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7671/pestadiumct5.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2130/pestadium2nf4.jpg

Mo Rush

August 18th, 2006, 12:08 AM

Mbombela Stadium
45,000
Matches: First Round Only

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2307/mbombelastadiumrx4.jpg

Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga: Construction of the new Mbombela Stadium on open land just seven kilometres north of Nelspruit is expected to be completed in June 2008. The Mbombela Stadium has been designed to ensure it enjoys a prosperous life beyond the tournament as an adaptable, relevant multi-sport, entertainment and exhibition venue.

The stadium has been designed to ensure it enjoys a prosperous life beyond the 2010 World Cup tournament as an adaptable sports, entertainment and exhibition venue. Mbombela Stadium has been proposed as a venue for first matches.

pc7776

August 18th, 2006, 01:17 AM

The stadia will be fine, its the telecommunications, transport, rads, etc that will be the big issue. Access control at the turmstiles is another major point - in comparison to the RFID technology used in Germany 2006.

Durbsboi

August 18th, 2006, 09:46 AM

Do you want us to suck them out our arse? come to the SA forum...all the stadia have dedicated threads there with images!

And what was wrong with the durban stadium images? they are hi res !

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7936/soccercityui9.jpg

So I gather you sucked these out of your arse? :crazy2:

skaP187

August 18th, 2006, 01:25 PM

Well not in my arse (You eat with your arse?) but I'll start a little bit, not completely though... but it is not very complete is it, the're alot more stadiums which lack info.
Could only find some other info about the Durban stadium, which is wicked like I said before. But all the others??

skaP187

August 18th, 2006, 01:26 PM

Nice big stadium by the way! better then the tire design.a little bit like the Munchen stadium no? same architects?

skaP187

August 18th, 2006, 01:27 PM

I have got a feeling that I will need to eat my words again... and they taste like shit!!

skaP187

August 18th, 2006, 01:29 PM

Is SA that football crazy that they can fill the stadiums after the WC with the regular competition?

Mo Rush

August 18th, 2006, 02:13 PM

CAPE TOWN
Capacity: 70,000 Retractable Roof

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4002/slide1jq4.jpg
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4786/slide271vu7.jpg
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/599/slide6yx6.jpg

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3457/slide21kk5.jpg

Durbsboi

August 18th, 2006, 03:10 PM

& Mo sucks another one out :D

Mo Rush

August 18th, 2006, 03:37 PM

& Mo sucks another one out :D
mikey aka dysan demanded it.

Mo Rush

August 19th, 2006, 03:40 PM

Spying eye in the sky for 2010

By Sheena Adams

A spying eye in the sky is likely to be one of the millions trained on the ball when the Soccer World Cup comes to local shores in 2010.

A new-generation spy plane, the Vulture - several of which were ordered last month by the South African Army - has been designed by leading arms manufacturer Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE).

Carel de Beer, a senior manager at ATE, said the Proudly South African technology used in the unmanned drone made it one of the most advanced prototypes in the world.

The current design, without any lights or a transponder so other aircraft can't detect it, was not able to fly in civilian airspace.

But ATE was in discussion with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to find ways to modify the design to allow it to fly freely.

This would open up other avenues of use, with crowd and traffic control during the soccer spectacular being "one of the definite options".

Also on the cards was using the Unmanned Air Vehicle, fitted with an on-board camera, for seashore and border patrols as well as for stock-theft prevention.

The plane is controlled by remote by soldiers in a Ground Control Station equipped with monitors.

skaP187

August 19th, 2006, 07:15 PM

so why wait so long to put this photos in man, WC is a world thing not (only) an SA thing. I feel a new thread coming. Question to you guys, are there still any stadiums wich lack randers or this every stadium has more or less there planns together?

skaP187

August 19th, 2006, 07:16 PM

and no I don't like some tomatoketchup with my words!!!!

Mo Rush

August 20th, 2006, 01:09 AM

and no I don't like some tomatoketchup with my words!!!!
the cape town stadium design is not complete, architcts are finalizing the exact design, there are however images indicating the location of the stadium using a generic stadium design.

CAPE TOWN
Capacity: 70,000 Retractable Roof

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4002/slide1jq4.jpg
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4786/slide271vu7.jpg
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/599/slide6yx6.jpg
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3457/slide21kk5.jpg

dysan1

August 20th, 2006, 07:02 PM

I think all the stadia will need threads soon, to showcase the progress.

dysan1

August 20th, 2006, 07:06 PM

South Africa has top notch telecommunications and road infrastructure, with better highways than almost every nation in the world and that is a fact.

The problem is public transportation. Alot of money is being invested in upgrading the rail infrastructure, improving bus services and enlarging the airports to handle greater volumes, which is a result of the explosion of low cost carriers in south africa.

Durban is an example of the effective plans being put in place. The city is developing a tram system for the inner city with links to the stadium. A new train station is being built next to the stadium which will enable passengers to board at the airport and be dropped off at the station without having to change trains. A new airport is also being built.

Mo Rush

August 20th, 2006, 07:39 PM

OLĒ! OLĒ! OLĒ! FOR 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa
Why we can and why we must pull it off…

David Carte
Posted: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:00 | © Moneyweb Holdings Limited, 1997-2006

THE vast majority of us are wildly enthusiastic about hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa tournament.

As Yvonne Johnston of the International Marketing Council (IMC) says, it is another opportunity to show the world what we demonstrated in April 1994.

While “white” suburbs slumbered on the night we won the bid, townships and rural villages pulsated in celebration. For the masses, this is as exciting as a first vote.

People like me, who think soccer is played by prima donna ponces who can’t take a knock and that the game is too often won arbitrarily by shoot-outs, should get out of the way.

This is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build and unify the nation. It matters not that Bafana Bafana is unlikely to win a game. Delighting the world with images that can come only out of Africa will be success indeed.

The IMC’s latest “Alive with Possibility” video shows the breathtaking beauty of SA without glossing over the beasts of crime, poverty and disease. It sets the tone. This garden is not all roses. There is manure aplenty but a thing of beauty is still under construction.

The global audience will be seven times the population of the earth – about 40bn people. The event will be covered by 15 000 journalists. Success or failure will be conspicuous.

A successful World Cup will impress billions of people who have never heard of or thought about South Africa before. They won’t only see soccer. For the next four years everything we say and do will go global - life in the townships, parties at shebeens, scenes in school rooms and hospitals, criminal outrages, garbage in the streets, contrasts between the rich and the poor, our unbelievable tourist attractions….

These scenes, exotic to foreign eyes, will win our country a spot in the imaginations of people from Afghanistan to Zambia. They will want to visit. Tourism and trade should benefit for years.

A successful World Cup will bring South Africans together. If a successful World Cup could restore unity and pride in a once-divided Germany, how much more so in South Africa. Our black compatriots, in particular, have a fantastic chance to confound racist sceptics by showing they can put on the most memorable cup ever.

Danny Jordaan has few qualms. Contracts are in place and the money is flowing into Fifa already. Some tweaks to legislation will be through parliament soon, completing the legal work by Fifa’s 1 200 lawyers. Final changes are being made to stadium designs. Invitations to tender will go out soon and construction will start this year. He says the stadia will all be completed by 2009.

Jordaan, Johnston and the other great enthusiasts want the whole country to pull together. Happily, they are not doing what some want – minimising SA’s many problems. We will be staging this World Cup not trying to hide that we have yet to beat poverty, disease and crime. The approach is an honest one.

The task should not be insuperable. ACSA is sure it can cope with all the flights involved. If we draw 350 000 people here over a three week period, we will be swelling our population momentarily by less than 1%. The hotels will creak at the seams but the ten venues are widely dispersed, so B&Bs should absorb any overflow.

There will be traffic jams but they are part of any sports spectacular. Huge “fan parks” accommodating up to 100 000 spectators to watch games on high definition outdoor TV screens in numerous venues will reduce pressure on road, rail and the stadia.

Communications technology gets better and better, so beaming the images world-wide should be quite easy.

The improved airports, roads and rail systems, the beautified townships and improved hotels and B&Bs will hopefully benefit us for years to come. If we pull it off successfully there will be many intangible benefits and some, such as improved tourism and investment, will carry economic benefits.

Danny Jordaan says Fifa expects a profit of $3,1bn which should grow to $4bn. Fifa owns the cup. It has formidable management expertise that will be invaluable here. It will take piles of dough from television rights and from the sale of 3m tickets. What is not clear is how much of the moollah accrues to Safa or other SA role players.

If the country makes no money except for increased airline and hotel bookings, one could question the economic logic. We shall be spending some R5bn on stadia that we won’t really need after the party.

There are other grounds for concern. Crime is not just a right wing scare story. It is probably the most serious economic dampener. It must be rectified, or heads should roll. Unless we get on top of crime and corruption, thousands of big spenders will stay away and watch the soccer on TV.

Can one really build such magnificent edifices as those stadia complete with roofs and high-tech hearts by target date 2009? Given the huge infrastructure spending programme already in place and our stretched engineering capacity, it seems a tall order.

Jordaan has an experienced multinational Fifa team of 350. We would not have won the tourney if there were reasonable doubts that we could stage it. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is completely confident.

The elections in 2009 could be an obstacle. We hope that Cosatu and the SACP understand that any attempt by them to hold the country to ransom with strikes will be an affront to the masses. Thank goodness Zwelinzima Vavi is on the LOC.

Many detractors are indeed destructive racists, who don’t believe SA has the organisational ability to pull it off. This confers on the organisers an enormous duty to prove them wrong. Get this right and you can negate the bitching of a million naysayers, many of them embittered emigrants.

This story first appeared in Moneyweb Business in the Citizen

Mo Rush

August 20th, 2006, 07:40 PM

Further Plans for the Greenpoint 2010 Stadium in Cape Town

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1976/slide13ax3.jpg
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3272/slide5on6.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3149/slide18fn4.jpg

Durbsboi

August 21st, 2006, 12:19 PM

Who cares if we dont have enough renders, atleast we building the damn things!

p2bsa

August 21st, 2006, 08:03 PM

Durban Set to Become Africa's 'Most Livable' City After 2010

South Africa: Durban Set to Become Africa's 'Most Livable' City After 2010

Sunday Times (Johannesburg)
August 13, 2006
Posted to the web August 14, 2006
Taschica Pillay
Johannesburg
KWAZULU-Natal is poised for a major revamp as partnerships with the private sector begin to take shape ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
According to a recent report by property group JHI, multi-billion-rand partnerships between the provincial government, eThekwini Municipality and private business could result in investments pouring into the province in the build-up to the international sporting showpiece.
JHI's 2006 SA Property Report says Durban, in particular, will be the biggest beneficiary of massive infrastructure development, making it Africa's "most livable" city by 2020.
The report, released last week, said the city would receive R2-billion to upgrade its transport system, R1.6-billion to build a new stadium, R1.8-billion for the Dube Tradeport and King Shaka International Airport in La Mercy, and R3-billion for new hotels.
JHI researcher Marc Schneider said Durban could expect an influx of investments, as it was developing in proportion to the expectations of the organisers.
"Durban has been fairly consistent with developments," said Schneider, adding that the building of the tradeport and the airport could change the geopolitical face of the city.
"The Durban airport site is a strategic piece of land. There is talk of all sorts of potential projects."

A partnership between the eThekwini Municipality and property developers Moreland is expected to create an additional R10-billion commercial and residential c entre in and around Umhlanga and further north.
The land around Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom has been earmarked to attract about R4-billion in investments for boutique hotels, luxury apartments, housing estates, a shopping centre and offices.
The JHI report said development was spreading along both the north and the south coast, with almost R4-billion earmarked for a small-craft harbour and eco-estate project on the south coast.
________________________________________
Copyright © 2006 Sunday Times. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). Click here to contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material.

SOURCE:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200608140482.html

Mo Rush

August 29th, 2006, 02:20 PM

$11m for 2010 transport
28/08/2006 18:02 - (SA)

# Gautrain ready for 2010: Radebe
# SA to benefit from 2010 impact
Falk AdSolution

Cape Town - South Africa is to be handed $11m to fund an environmentally-friendly expansion of its public transport system for the 2010 World Cup, a world environmental agency said on Monday.

The money should be used to put in place a sustainable transport system to serve the country long after the tournament had passed, Global Environment Facility (GEF) chief executive officer Monique Barbut told reporters.

"The aim is to help South Africa provide good transport that is as green as possible," said Barbut in Cape Town on the eve of the body's third annual assembly.

South African transport department deputy director-general Mathabatha Mokonyama said the government would look to encourage the use of public transport rather than private vehicles during the competition which is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors.

Trains would be upgraded and spectators encouraged to cycle or walk to stadiums he added.

The South African government has already put aside over three billion rand (about $42m) of its own cash to improve its public transport system in time for 2010, said Mokonyama.

The GEF, an independent body financed by donor countries and which also features World Bank representatives, was set up to help developing nations fund environmental initiatives.

Its projects focus on adherence to global environmental treaties on topics such as climate change and pollution reductions.

# You can get sports resul

dysan1

August 29th, 2006, 03:12 PM

shouldnt that be $420 million? not $42m?

and $11m (R80m) how much can u do with that? its a nice gesture tho

Durbsboi

August 30th, 2006, 09:17 AM

well the old stadium is almost gone, just the old screen/scoreboard lying there, but Im sure those BIG bulldozers will eat it up this week.

Mo Rush

August 30th, 2006, 10:30 AM

shouldnt that be $420 million? not $42m?

and $11m (R80m) how much can u do with that? its a nice gesture tho
Considering the global environmental facility has about 24 billion at its disposal..11 million dollars does seem low...however, im not sure if it will be divided up between the various cities...it might just be used to plan and implement e.g. pedestrian pathways, trees? surely it is not substantial enough to be used for something large scale if its to be used in various cities..

Weebie

August 31st, 2006, 02:59 AM

Sydney Morning Herald today.

<--articleTools Top-->
Michael ( woohooooo )erill
August 31, 2006
AUSTRALIA'S plans to host the world's biggest sporting event, football's World Cup, could be accelerated, with speculation persisting that South Africa's preparations for the 2010 tournament are hopelessly behind schedule.

Rumours surfaced during the World Cup in Germany that Australia was an option for 2010 should South Africa fail to meet its construction deadlines.

At the same time, Australia's state premiers have formally committed to a World Cup bid, with 2018 the most likely option. Football Federation Australia is expected to make its own announcement shortly.

Under the loose rotation policy used by international football's world governing body, FIFA, the next three World Cups are due to be hosted by Africa, South America and Asia/Oceania.

But Brazil, which is planning for 2014, does not have enough stadiums to meet a 2010 deadline, leaving Asia-Oceania in pole position should South Africa be stripped of hosting rights.

A joint Australia-New Zealand bid could thus become viable, with Sydney the likely frontrunner to host the final.

South Africa is desperately trying to make up time. Its government has set aside $US750 million ($986 million) to build three stadiums and renovate seven, and 8.7 billion rand ($1.6 billion) to upgrade airports, roads and railways.
Early this month the South African Government approved a special measures bill to meet the legal requirements for hosting the tournament.

During the debate in Parliament, the Minister of Sport, Makhenkesi Stofile, was eager to dismiss criticism that construction was behind schedule and that the country's transport network wouldn't cope with the expected 350,000 visitors.

"The World Cup offers us an opportunity to present ourselves to the world for what we really can be," Mr Stofile said. "We believe that hosting the World Cup offers us the biggest opportunity to banish Afro-pessimism. We do not intend to replicate this year's World Cup or compete with the Germans. But we believe the same spirit of national pride as we saw among the Germans can be achieved among South Africans."

Despite the optimism a senior international football source has told the Herald that doubts persist. Just recently, the source said, a group of British firms pulled out of tendering for World Cup construction work because of impossible deadlines.

A FIFA spokesman described the speculation as ridiculous last night. "We were asked the same thing in July, and the president made it clear we were not looking at alternatives," he said.

However the FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, who has staked much personal prestige on Africa hosting a World Cup, could change his tune if re-elected, as expected, next June. "He can't make any hard decisions now, but if things haven't improved after his election, he might be ready to make a call," a source said.

Australia already has five stadiums [two in Melbourne and Sydney and one in Brisbane] that would meet World Cup standards. A new 60,000-seat stadium is planned for Perth.

The other three stadiums required to host a World Cup would be in New Zealand, which is in the process of upgrading grounds in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin for the 2011 rugby World Cup.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/soccers-world-cup-2010-could-the-winne
r-be----sydney/2006/08/30/1156816966948.html

KiwiBrit

August 31st, 2006, 03:24 AM

I can't see FIFA making any rash decisions, let's give South Africa some time.

As for the joint Aussie/Kiwi bid, I'd love to see some of it played in NZ...it aint gonna happen though.

Weebie

August 31st, 2006, 03:39 AM

I personally don't see it happening and I personally would rather go to South Africa than have it here in Australia.

But it talks about how far behind the Organisation is.

Durbsboi

August 31st, 2006, 08:50 AM

WE GOT 4 YEARS! whats wrong with your'll?

dysan1

August 31st, 2006, 10:13 AM

Its AlL gUUd

August 31st, 2006, 02:37 PM

Mo Rush

August 31st, 2006, 04:04 PM

My word i hate journalists. they spew out information that is completely out of date.\

The funds are higher than mentioned. Work has begun on Durban's stadium in the form of demolision of the existing structure. Other plans are being immplemented as we speak.

I am SICK and tired of dealing international pesimism of South Africa's ability. Australia has no ability to host a world cup successfully, so dont even dream of it being handed over. The world cup is taking place in South Africa in 2010, accept it and please for the love of god move on with your drab lives
The international pessimism is a result of the generall amount of general rubbish information by journalists, but i think the LOC and the Communications dept for the world cup should also take responsibility for not communicating the amount of work that has been carried out thus far...record sponsorships have already been secured...and an immense amount of work behind the scenes has taken place and continues to take place..

the communications dept need to STOP playing a defensive role ..or for use of a better word .. a role in which they respond constantly to false rumours and stupid suggestions that australia could host a world cup...and play a pro-active role instead by consistently providing information..whether through a website or media releases...

OMW the part about NZ being ready to co host the world cup...hahaha...

Mo Rush

August 31st, 2006, 04:13 PM

World Cup Gallery

http://www.southafrica.info/pls/cms/show_gallery_sa_info?p_gid=5892&p_site_id=38

Mo Rush

August 31st, 2006, 04:22 PM

Myburgh calls for a multi-purpose stadium

By Phida Essop

The 2010 soccer World Cup stadium planned for Green Point must be multipurpose to also boost Cape Town's bid for the Olympic Games in 2020, said the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Janine Myburgh, on Wednesday.

Speaking at a Business Meets Cape Cabinet function in the CBD, Myburgh said this multi-functioning would give substance to and justify the R3-billion investment.

"We have publicly given our support to building a stadium to host a semi-final match. In doing so, from a business perspective, we were influenced by the obvious commercial opportunities and the much-needed improvement in infrastructure in the CBD," said Myburgh.

'We hope the design team will be far-sighted in their planning'
"It cannot be justified if it is only to provide a few thousand extra seats that Newlands does not have. It needs to be built as a multipurpose stadium that constitutes a major investment in Cape Town's bid to host the Olympic Games in 2020.

"Yes, this would give substance to and go a long way to justify a R3-billion investment.

"We hope the design team will be far-sighted in their planning as it is not just 2010, but about another sporting event, the Olympic Games."

Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool said the cost would likely be in the region of R2-billion rather than R3-billion.

He said hosting the 2010 World Cup was a catalyst for economic growth.

Durbsboi

September 1st, 2006, 09:57 AM

Going to meet some people from the "Ibolalethu Consortium" over the weekend, will try & fish out some info.

Mo Rush

September 2nd, 2006, 05:54 PM

Soccer City currently seats 70,000 and will be converted into a 100,000 seater stadium for 2010.

This image: Telkom Charity Cup August 2006

http://static.flickr.com/61/227314222_7c545be4e8_b.jpg

Upgrade cost: R1.5 - 2 billion

Rustenburg Stadium. Currently seats just under 40,000. Will seat 45,000+ for the 2010 World Cup

This image: September 2006, South Africa vs New Zealand Tri Nations

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/71768547.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A68856C471C29B1F3B329DF394FE942516

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/71768546.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A68856C471C29B1F3B4EF3EA9A178B7582

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/71768390.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6783811508C9B87CCA55A1E4F32AD3138

Other:

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/71766316.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=08A8BA3C818346D0A18BC6C96C3C94DE

ohannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA: Brazilian newly appointed South African national football team coach Carlos Alberto Gomes Parreira (C) arrives, 01 September 2006, at the FNB stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg, to meet the team ahead of tomorrow's match against Congo Brazzaville. New South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira arrived in Johannesburg against a background of media fury over his 1.8 million rand (about 250,000 dollars) salary. Parreira is noted for having been one of only two coaches that has led four national teams to the World Cup: Kuwait in 1982, United Arab Emirates in 1990, Brazil in 1994 and 2006, and Saudi Arabia in 1998. AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA (Photo credit should read GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Mo Rush

September 11th, 2006, 08:49 PM

Construction of FNB Stadium to finish by 2008
FNB is SA's main stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

FNB is SA's main stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
September 11, 2006, 17:15

Eddie Buti Williams, a project manager, says the construction of the FNB Stadium will be finished by the end of 2008 and the FIFA Confederations Cup final will be held at the venue the following year.

Williams says the stadium will have an African feel after improvements were made to the initial plans drawn up by architects. Construction will start next month. The delay has been caused by the re-designing of the stadium. The main stadium for the 2010 Fifa World Cup has been changed to what has been described as world class - first of its kind in the world.

Once finished, the Stadium will light up at night much like the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. The stadium will be closed for renovations which mean Kaizer Chiefs will have to look for an alternative venue for their home matches. The construction of the SAFA House is ten days behind schedule, but well on its way and the doors should open for business at the beginning of November.

Blatter wants to bring Zidane and Materazzi to SA
Meanwhile, football's governing body FIFA plans to bring Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi to South Africa so that they can put the World Cup final head-butting incident behind them.

Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, said one suggestion was for the two to meet on Robben Island. Zidane, the French captain who was playing the final match of his career, rammed his head into the Italian defender's chest during extra time of the World Cup. Materazzi had insulted his sister. Italy went on to win the title on penalties.
Click here to send this article to a friend

Mo Rush

September 15th, 2006, 01:31 PM

Loftus in race to be first for 2010

By Brenden Nel

Loftus Versfeld is set to undergo a multi-million rand facelift - including a roof over the east stand - to prepare it for the 2010 World Cup and could become the standard bearer for all stadiums for the tournament.

Proposals to the World Cup Organising Committee by the Blue Bulls Company envisage a major improvement over and above soccer world governing body Fifa's requirements for the tournament that will turn the rugby superstadium into a massive, modern sporting complex.

The organising committee must now decide whether or not to approve the changes and release money to start the renovation work, which could begin as early as January next year.

If everything goes to plan, Loftus Versfeld will be the first stadium in South Africa to be finished and ready for the World Cup and this could be as soon as the end of next year.

The Bulls would not release details of the cost of the proposed changes and artists' impressions will be made available only after the changes are approved. But plans are that the precinct that surrounds the big stadium will become a state-of-the-art sports centre that will be the envy of all.

The proposals include the erection of a massive roof over the eastern stand to help the stadium meet the requirements that Fifa has asked for in terms of floodlighting.

"According to the requirements we were given, our lights have to operate at 1 500 lux and at the moment they operate at 1 000 lux," stadium manager Hugo Kemp said.

"There are two ways we can overcome this. One is to tear down our current lighting and replace it with new pylons, or to build a roof over the eastern stand and put lights in the roof. We would obviously prefer the second approach as it has more long-term benefits for the stadium."

There are other proposals which will improve the stadium in terms of hosting the showpiece tournament. All have taken into account that the changes should not be just cosmetic, but also useful in rugby terms after the tournament ends.

For one, the current turnstiles are set to be replaced by modern, electronic gates that not only automatically count the people entering, but also have bar code scanners to scan tickets and stop fake tickets and people entering without the correct tickets. This will be backed up with a modern access control system with obvious advantages in terms of database management and payment history.

The ticket offices will be upgraded as well as the parking bays while the current northern suites in the main grandstand, which house press facilities, television commentator boxes and coaching seats as well as a few suites, will be removed to create a multipurpose conferencing venue that can be used for other meetings during the week.

Other parts of the stadium to be upgraded include the toilets on the eastern stand, the television camera positions and walls and fences surrounding the ground. The food and drink kiosks will also be replaced with modern facilities while Loftus will get two new big scoreboards.

Every seat in the stadium is also due to be replaced while a cover will go on to the dugout where the players run out on to the field. Two lifts will be installed in the north-east and north-west ends of the stadium to help alleviate congestion while the Venue Operations Centre, which houses the cctv cameras and from which the entire stadium can be controlled in an emergency, will also receive a substantial upgrade.

"We've done our cost assessments and given these to the World Cup Organising Committee. They are far above the Fifa recommendations, but we feel there is a lot that needs to be done. As soon as we get the go-ahead, we will start the major building work," Kemp said.

* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Pretoria News on September 15, 2006

Pretoria News

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-09-14 23:03:00
© Independent Online 2005. All rights reserved. IOL publishes this article in good faith but is not liable for any loss or damage caused by reliance on the information it contains.

Mo Rush

September 15th, 2006, 02:08 PM

http://www.groundhopping.de/suprsprt.htm

images of loftus currently.

Benjuk

September 22nd, 2006, 05:38 AM

well from the content of the article u can say it is pretty rubbish, because after Africa and South America there is no rotation policy (looseley or otherwise) saying the 2018 wc is due in Asia/Ocenia, it will/should go to Europe as 16 years would be too long

There's also the laughable notion that Australia would be able to host a World Cup at relatively short notice... There's only 9 stadiums large enough to meet FIFA standards, and of those the majority (6 or 7) are designed for Cricket/Aussie Rules and afford terrible pitch-side views for a large number of supporters (if you think a running track is bad, imagine 20 yards of grass between crowd and pitch - then dug-outs, etc.).

So far as I can see, only Suncorp Stadium, and Aussie Stadium, are the right size and set-up for a World Cup - and even then they'd only be big enough for 1st round matches.

Mo Rush

September 22nd, 2006, 01:52 PM

There's also the laughable notion that Australia would be able to host a World Cup at relatively short notice... There's only 9 stadiums large enough to meet FIFA standards, and of those the majority (6 or 7) are designed for Cricket/Aussie Rules and afford terrible pitch-side views for a large number of supporters (if you think a running track is bad, imagine 20 yards of grass between crowd and pitch - then dug-outs, etc.).

So far as I can see, only Suncorp Stadium, and Aussie Stadium, are the right size and set-up for a World Cup - and even then they'd only be big enough for 1st round matches.
in comparison to south africa's existing stadia all fit for football

newlands 50,000
athlone 30,000
soccer city 70,000
kings park 55,000
loftus 50,0000
rustenburg 40,000
free state 35,000
ellis park 60,000

thats without the new stadia.

Mo Rush

September 22nd, 2006, 02:48 PM

Jordaan slams 2010 warning

By Sivuyile Mangxamba & Murray Williams

South Africa's 2010 World Cup organisers have rejected German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer's warnings that preparations for the tournament are in trouble.

Organising committee chief Danny Jordaan is to ask Beckenbauer to explain his comments that South Africa is having "African problems" in staging the event.

"I do not understand," Jordaan said.

He insisted that South Africa's projects to build the stadiums were on track.

Beckenbauer, lauded in his home country as "Der Kaiser", was the head of the 2006 organising committee.

In Nuremberg this week he became the latest public figure to question South Africa's ability to host the 2010 tournament.

"The organisation for the World Cup in South Africa is beset by big problems," Beckenbauer was quoted by news agencies as saying.

"But these are not South African problems, these are African problems. People are working against rather than with each other."

The BBC reported Beckenbauer as saying that Germany was not an alternative venue.

"There are emergency solutions, but Germany is not one of them; there are enough other solutions" - perhaps a reference to Sydney as a possible fallback site.

Beckenbauer said Fifa president Sepp Blatter would soon be travelling to South Africa.

"According to him, there is money. The plans are there, but what counts is that they are also executed," Beckenbauer said.

Blatter was reported as saying said he would meet President Thabo Mbeki and "explain the value of the World Cup" to parliament.

But Jordaan told the Cape Argus yesterday that he was bemused by Beckenbauer's comments.

"If it's a stadium problem, tell us. But he must explain what he means when he says it's an 'African problem'. I do not understand.

"We have a master project plan. We need to deliver five stadiums for the Confederation Cup in 2009 and four of these stadiums are complete," Jordaan said.

South Africa needed 30 months to build a stadium and had 44 months before the 2010 World Cup.

"I will write to him and get an understanding of what he meant."

Jordaan said he would meet SA Football Association president Molefi Oliphant to discuss the issue before calling a press conference in the next few days.

Jordaan played down a report that Fifa wanted to send a top German official to help South Africa's organisers.

"Fifa is entitled to send whomever they want to send to their Johannesburg office," Jordaan said. But an official would not be sent as "a fire engine".

Dealing with progress on the Green Point Stadium, provincial 2010 co-ordinator Laureen Platsky said this morning: "We're on track. That's all I can say. There was never any indication that we'd start to construct before January next year."

The next step was to finalise the stadium's design.

This was being done jointly by local architects Louis Karol and German stadia specialist GMP, which designed Germany's stadiums in Berlin and Frankfurt.

At the same time, independent consultants were finalising an environmental impact ass-essment, which is expected to be completed in the next few days and would be submitted to Planning MEC Tasneem Essop.

Two sites were being considered: the existing Green Point stadium site, which would mean demolishing the stadium, or the golf course next to it.

A business plan will be submitted to the Treasury at the end of October.

"Most of the cost of the stadium will be substantially the same for either of the sites," Platsky explained.

Essop would announce a re-cord of decision, which would include a choice of site.

"Once the builders' holidays are over in January, we'll be on site," Platsky said.

Meanwhile South African soccer legend Jomo Sono, who played for New York's Cosmos with Beckenbauer, is quoted in The Australian newspaper today as warning the 2010 team to take his former teammate's comments seriously.

"The problem is that we hate criticism," Sono said.

"I would not know why he (Beckenbauer) said that, but he should be taken seriously. They should talk to him."

Mayor Helen Zille said today: "Cape Town's put to-gether a very comprehensive plan. We have a strong team running it and we've met all the deadlines so far."

Sparks

September 22nd, 2006, 03:14 PM

So they are going to play the whole tournement in Sydney if SA don't make it then?

Mo Rush

September 22nd, 2006, 04:42 PM

So they are going to play the whole tournement in Sydney if SA don't make it then?

of course..sydney hosted 28 world championships in spor in the space of 2 weeks...it can easily host the world cup in sydney within one month

Its AlL gUUd

September 22nd, 2006, 07:27 PM

LONDON can host the world cup :D

Its AlL gUUd

September 22nd, 2006, 07:45 PM

Anyway from seeing all this comotion about SA's world cup and their so-called 'problems' they face i cant see how FIFA can let any South American (Brazil) country host the 2014 WC. surely this shows that they should go back to Europe(England) in 2014 and then allow Brazil to get ready in time for 2018?

Andy the Gloryhunter

September 23rd, 2006, 02:08 AM

the last place a World Cup should be held is England - grey, dull horrible country with horrible weather and really ugly women (and guys)! The idea of going on holiday to Manchester or Birmingham is quite frightening!! What a shit vacation that would be!

Brazil has its problems, but at least you wouldn't have to put up with millions of these mutants -

http://www.ratemyhat.co.uk/chavs.jpg

Its AlL gUUd

September 23rd, 2006, 02:22 AM

every country has chavs:D ^^ those are some ugly ones tho lol

Andy the Gloryhunter

September 23rd, 2006, 07:19 AM

every country has chavs:D ^^ those are some ugly ones tho lol

erm...no they don't!! (Switzerland, Norway, Austria, Germany, Sweden.....most of Europe). Britain excels in scumbags roaming the streets!! When it comes to working class moronic youths and braindead young adults, Britain is the King of Kings!!

Andy the Gloryhunter

September 23rd, 2006, 07:23 AM

Mo Rush

September 23rd, 2006, 10:03 AM

will blacks be allowed to take part in South Africa 2010?

im not even sure how to answer this. but yes considering south africa is 80% black, blacks will certainly be taking part...uhm ok. blacks will also play a role in the ownership of some of the stadia...considering our gvt is mostly black they provide funds for all the projects..i dont know..i assume ur question is not based on some ignorant racial agenda.

Its AlL gUUd

September 23rd, 2006, 04:12 PM

The SA football team consists mainly of Black Players

Andy the Gloryhunter

September 23rd, 2006, 06:47 PM

blacks will also play a role in the ownership of some of the stadia...considering our gvt is mostly black they provide funds for all the projects

That's shocking. I was going to move to South Africa so that I could hunt Black people, but it almost sounds as if they have the same rights as white people!!!! What on earth went wrong?? It's almost as if they let Mandela out or something!

ÜberMaromas

September 23rd, 2006, 06:59 PM

^^ :banned:

Weebie

September 24th, 2006, 03:30 AM

Mo Rush

September 24th, 2006, 10:17 AM

There is no doubt in my mind that the World Cup will be in South Africa but they have no been shown now as causing the usual african political bullsh*t that goes along with these sh*t Unfornuetly i htink many at FIFA are regretting this decision.

The question i have is although these stadiums look really special will they end up being built?? from originally 13 new Stadiums now down to 4 or 5 with 3 renovations. there is no way in the world they can build those 4 new Stadiums for $850 000 000USD.

1. Originally 13 stadiums. Correct. Of these 13 originally proposed 7 exist. Germany 2006 had the stadia reduced from 15 to 12. The FIFA requirement is 8 and South Africa reduced to 10 from 13 in the bid book and 12 later on, based on the 2002 world cup. Stadia were demolished after Japan Korea and South Africa was in no way going to demolish stadia. Dont get me wrong, five of the stadia to be built already exist. Each of them will be transformed. Essentially its ten stadia that will be brand spanking new. South africa never intended to build 13 new stadia and you appear to be terrible misinformed.

As before some exising stadia in the form of kings park and newlands wont be used. Both world class stadia. Both host rugby internationals, both in regular use and both having hosted manchester united in july. The aim is to get a combination of new and upgraded existing stadia, that provide legacy for football and sport in general in south africa. These stadia will also be on par with the plans each city has whether it be an olympic or commonwealth bid.

2. Construction costs in South Africa are way below anywhere else the world, the costs are justified. Wembley stadium even at its initial price could have been built for half the price in south africa. So these costs are on par.
Projected funds to be released by the Gvt will have to be increased to do the speed of construction that is needed over the next 2 years.

Unfortunately these are all issues you have brought up before and if im not mistaken they have all been answered.

eomer

September 24th, 2006, 11:06 AM

There is no doubt in my mind that the World Cup will be in South Africa but they have no been shown now as causing the usual african political bullsh*t that goes along with these sh*t Unfornuetly i htink many at FIFA are regretting this decision.

Why could they regret it ?
South Africa got plenty of Stadium and allready hosted 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Mo Rush

September 24th, 2006, 01:28 PM

Why could they regret it ?
South Africa got plenty of Stadium and allready hosted 1995 Rugby World Cup.
its best to ignore him.

Benjuk

September 25th, 2006, 01:21 AM

LONDON can host the world cup :D

London has New Wembley, Emirates Stadium, Stamford Bridge, the New Olympic Stadium and Twickenham - plus the extended Valley. That's 6. Add Whitehart Lane and Upton Park as undersized stadia and you've got 8. Not bad for one city.

However, I reckon the only single city capable of hosting a World Cup Finals will be DUBAI... Given another decade of development - and looking at the close links between Emirates and FIFA, I can see them bidding and winning for 2022 (not that FIFA is open to bribes or anything!).

Weebie

September 25th, 2006, 04:17 AM

its best to ignore him.

Yeah unfornuetly for you FIFA isn't convinced. I had great expectations of the potential of South Africa 2010 but like i said earlier its the typical african political bullsh*t thats going to ruin the World Cup.

Very few fans will make the trip to Africa and there is no way most black South Africans will be bale to afford tickets which could cause major problesm for tourists. One of the worst decisions by the O.C also is to have Rustenberg as a host city.

FIFA are now deadly serious about the possiblity of moving the World Cup its well known publically that a reserve country (not Australia) has been put on standby and will be eager to stage the Cup.

Benjuk

September 25th, 2006, 04:33 AM

FIFA are now deadly serious about the possiblity of moving the World Cup its well known publically that a reserve country (not Australia) has been put on standby and will be eager to stage the Cup.

It's commonly believed that the major rebuilding of stadiums in England post Hillsborough, actually counted AGAINST the English World Cup bid for 2006 - because 'we' have put ourselves in a position of being able to host the finals at short notice, and are therefore an excellent stand-by option for South Africa and Brazil, etc. The USA is the only other country I can think of who are in the same position - and as they had the finals in 1994, I doubt FIFA would fall back on them with England not having held the comp since 1966. Plus with England you'd have a better chance of selling the tickets.

Weebie

September 25th, 2006, 05:28 AM

Harkeb

September 25th, 2006, 05:47 AM

Yeah unfornuetly for you FIFA isn't convinced. I had great expectations of the potential of South Africa 2010 but like i said earlier its the typical african political bullsh*t thats going to ruin the World Cup.

Very few fans will make the trip to Africa and there is no way most black South Africans will be bale to afford tickets which could cause major problesm for tourists. One of the worst decisions by the O.C also is to have Rustenberg as a host city.

FIFA are now deadly serious about the possiblity of moving the World Cup its well known publically that a reserve country (not Australia) has been put on standby and will be eager to stage the Cup.
You are so talking through your neck. On basis are you making these wild statements? The way you people go on, one would swear the Cup takes place in 2007!
-----------------------------

SA must speak up on 2010
22/09/2006 11:25 - (SA)

President Thabo Mbeki, once illustrated America's ignorance about African affairs by saying: When something goes wrong in Somalia, in the US they would say did you hear something has gone wrong in Africa.

This observation came to mind this week as Franz Beckenbauer, president of the 2006 World Cup organising committee in Germany, said the organisation for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa "is beset by big problems".

Beckenbauer added: "But these are not South African problems - these are African problems. People are working against rather than with each other."

The former German football star is highly commended for heading the organisation of one of the most memorable World Cup tournaments. But as a politician, Der Kaiser's competence in international relations leaves much to be desired.

Firstly, the organisation of the 2010 event in SA is not behind schedule. He does not reveal who is advising him on South Africa, which exposes the emptiness of his claims.

Secondly, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) is a well-structured body pulling in the same direction, and there are no personality clashes since the positions of Irvin Khoza and Danny Jordaan as chairperson and CEO respectively were re-affirmed soon after SA was confirmed as 2010 host.

Had someone worked against another within the LOC, would that be an "African problem"? If Germans of opposing views do not see eye to eye, would the world see their issues as Europe's problems?

Organising committee to blame

Beckenbauer further startles as he warns that Germany will not be prepared to take over the 2010 tournament in the event of South Africa finally failing to prove its ability to host.

Now that's redefining ignorant bliss: two consecutive Fifa World Cup tournaments in one country? At least Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who is preparing to visit this country to assess the progress, knows better about such empty talk.

He has since warned SA to ignore offers of help from British, French, German, or other experts involved in organising previous World Cups.

The LOC however is to blame for creating space for the likes of Beckenbauer to bad-mouth SA's preparation. Jordaan is very confident about his work, and he never runs out of words to describe his organisation's achievements and progress to date.

But his effort is sporadic and urgently needs consolidation as we only get updates on the progress through interviews he does with different sections of the media.

What Jordaan and company must do is to set up a media nerve centre which will regularly inform South Africans and the world about their achievements. The LOC's media statements must also be posted on their website, which I am told is up and running.
Both the Fifa and Safa portals do not carry the link to the 2010 website.

Share information

It is such operations in the dark that give people like Beckenbauer the platform to bad-mouth SA without clear reasons. The bottomline is if we are on track let's hear about that from our own people, through co-ordinated communication channels.

Similarly, if we're in trouble it will be good our LOC admitted this much publicly so that emergency plans are activated because this 2010 event enjoys undivided support from the government and Fifa. It is not enough to criticise our detractors without a concerted effort to dispense information in a logical and transparent spirit.

Most of us see the construction and renovation of stadiums are under way; the government-led taxi recapitalisation programme is gaining momentum and Joburg's metro busses are entering Soweto in a pilot project aimed at integrating a public transport network in Gauteng.

Capacity-building can also be seen in the number of hotels and other hospitality facilities that are being built. Our communication network ranks among the best in the world and it is improving all the time.

Crime is still a serious negative factor, and improved steps to stamp it out must be seen because as things stand the situation is bad. I am happy that the South African government has not declared our crime situation "Africa's or Europe's or Asia's problem", given the high number of foreign nationalities who are caught doing crime in SA.

The World Cup is about unifying nations to celebrate life under the banner of football. It is not all about the appeal of the action on the field, but a lot about a feeling of camaraderie among the people from all corners of the world who have converged in one place in the name of football.

Football-wise South Africa does not look good at the moment and I have clearly highlighted this matter in my recent columns. We have recruited the most expensive coach in the world at R1.8 million per month to help us. But the bulk of the work and responsibility rest on the shoulders of all South Africans, because nothing this big has come our way before.

At the end of it all, a lasting legacy is bound to be left here because this country is not going to be same again after the 2010 World Cup.

Mo Rush

September 25th, 2006, 08:09 AM

Mo Rush

September 25th, 2006, 08:26 AM

http://static.flickr.com/93/232586650_4c853bfff8_b.jpg

Current Capacity: 60,000 - 2010 capacity 65-70,000

Benjuk

September 25th, 2006, 03:19 PM

There is no way Australia can host the cup atm. We only have 3 Stadiums that would meet the standard of a FIFA world cup but thats 3 more than South Africa atm.

Personally i wouldn't want it in my country it wouldn't be the same and i would rather travel to Africa or europe or possibly Asia for 2010.

Sorry mate, bit of confusion there I think... When I referred to 'we', I meant England (I'm English, just living in Australia).

Australia, as I've said elsewhere, are waaaaaaay short of being able to bid for the finals. The A-League would have to take off big time and lead to construction of a bunch of stadiums, and that seems a long way off.

That said, Melbourne Victory already seem ready to abandon the 20k stadium that's being built for them, and if Melbourne Storm win the Finals next week, they too could find themselves too big for a 20k stadium. Time for a little ambition I think, build a 30k stadium that's easy to expand to 40+, and then at least Victoria will have ONE decent sized football ground!

Weebie

September 26th, 2006, 02:47 AM

Melbourne is a disgrace.

Worlds greatest sporting city my ass don't even have a proper football venue just that AFL wank sh*t.

MCG is overrated anyway BRING ON THE SYDNEY OLYMPIC STADIUM!!!!!!!

Benjuk

September 26th, 2006, 04:56 AM

Melbourne is a disgrace.

Worlds greatest sporting city my ass don't even have a proper football venue just that AFL wank sh*t.

MCG is overrated anyway BRING ON THE SYDNEY OLYMPIC STADIUM!!!!!!!

MCG a terrific venue, especially with the redevelopments, but sh*te for real football. Sydney Olympic Stadium quality, pity about the ends though (too small now they have the roofs on). Aussie Stadium nice too.

Lack of a 'soccer' venue in Melbourne is a joke though, you're right. And I agree regarding AFL too. I'm just wondering how long it'll be before someone realises that no one will use the new 20k stadium.

Weebie

September 26th, 2006, 05:56 AM

They already know but there is an agreement in place after the Docklands Stadium was built so that they didn't build a stadium with a capacity over 25 000.

Mo Rush

September 26th, 2006, 06:20 PM

MCG a terrific venue, especially with the redevelopments, but sh*te for real football. Sydney Olympic Stadium quality, pity about the ends though (too small now they have the roofs on). Aussie Stadium nice too.

Lack of a 'soccer' venue in Melbourne is a joke though, you're right. And I agree regarding AFL too. I'm just wondering how long it'll be before someone realises that no one will use the new 20k stadium.
haha calling melbourne a disgrace.

Mo Rush

October 1st, 2006, 03:06 PM

http://static.flickr.com/112/252909239_a7c30443f0.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/91/252909237_491fb7b3a6.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/105/252909229_30e81b7793.jpg?v=0

Durbsboi

October 3rd, 2006, 08:53 AM

Piling has begun on Durbans new senzangakhona stadium.

below a map showing the stadium layout with proposed changes to the area

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5589/pg4ua4.jpg

CharlieP

October 3rd, 2006, 01:06 PM

Why are they referring to Kings Park as "Rugby Training fields"?!

Pule

October 3rd, 2006, 01:28 PM

will blacks be allowed to take part in South Africa 2010?

This is a real STUPID...

Benjuk

October 4th, 2006, 04:40 AM

Why are they referring to Kings Park as "Rugby Training fields"?!

They're referring to the area adjacent to Kings Park as "Ruby Training Fields"

Durbsboi

October 4th, 2006, 11:51 AM

Thanx for answering that Benjuk

Mo Rush

October 11th, 2006, 05:28 AM

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1010406.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1010409.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1010403.jpg

Giorgio

October 11th, 2006, 07:25 AM

I hear South Africa wont be ready in time.
They might give the 2010 WC to England I hear.

Wezza

October 11th, 2006, 07:57 AM

Wow, they don't want anybody to get into the FIFA HQ construction site!! I looks like a jail fence with that razor wire. Lol

Durbsboi

October 11th, 2006, 10:13 AM

^^Thats nothing, I can scale that :D

about SA not being ready for 2010 & some other country is taking over, unless you see being broadcasted on every news channel possible, then only will it be true, other than that, its all bull shit

skaP187

October 11th, 2006, 10:15 AM

More drawings and pictures please! less politics!!!
Stadiums stadiums, stadiums is what I wanna seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
and the SA stadiums looked good only mo'info please about the final planns...

Mo Rush

October 11th, 2006, 12:47 PM

More drawings and pictures please! less politics!!!
Stadiums stadiums, stadiums is what I wanna seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
and the SA stadiums looked good only mo'info please about the final planns...
Ill do what i can, cape town stadium design will not be released until december.

visit www.enviropartnership.co.za and click on projects... All studies and plans regarding the cape town stadium can be found there along with preliminary renderings of the site..

SYDNEY

October 11th, 2006, 01:12 PM

;10087410']I hear South Africa wont be ready in time.
They might give the 2010 WC to England I hear.

This was emailed to me by a friend of mine in South Africa -

SA won't be ready for 2010, IOL readers say

October 11 2006 at 12:05PM

Eighty percent of people who voted in an IOL poll believe that South Africa will not be ready to host the 2010 soccer World Cup. The poll was based partly on a Business Report article, quoting construction giant Murray & Roberts as saying that there will be no room to extend time for construction of stadiums for the World Cup as it takes a minimum of 36 months to build a "specification stadium" without a roof. A total of 1 035 people voted on the question “Do you think our infrastructure will be ready before the start of the 2010 Soccer World Cup?”, with 213 – or 20 percent - saying yes, and 832 - or 80 percent - saying no.

Comments from those who believed the country will not be ready were:

*
The infrastructure is not there (rob).

*
Hell will freeze over before we are ready for 2010 (Adele).

*
This country is not yet ready to host a function of this magnitude (MarkN).

*
Just look at your current headlines - R89-million lost by Marine & Coastal Management, Hammanskral school buildings in shambles, Zuma best choice to head SA etc etc. You make up your own mind (zil).

*
By the time 2010 comes along, half the money allocated will be stolen, there will be investigations but no convictions, there will be internal fighting in the football union, the building contractrors will have gone on strike, SARFU will be running around like chickens with no heads with the begging bowl in both hands pleading with anyone who will help, the cement supplies will have dried up and most of all the qualified and competent skilled labout will have been chased from the country by the ANC. (Imboriako)

*
Germany knew which roads would be closed and how traffic would be routed 4YEARS before the World Cup kicked off. We are nowhere near that sort of organisation. That is the difference between First World and Third World mentality. There will be allegations of missing money, worker strikes before this is over. (Anton)

*
Those who think we will be ready said:
Have a little faith and work together
Yet another opportunity for white South Africans to shoot their country down. Clearly so few of you know much about the rest of the world. remember that Fifa (except for one corrupt new zealander) thought we were just as good as Germany for the 2006 world cup. (Anon).

* THIS IS THE FUNNIEST REPLY:)
We have a more transparent government than any in the world (:runaway: ). We have a huge and cheap labour force to build our stadiums. Our country is one of the top 10 international conference venues in the world and we have hosted world cup cricket and rugby events. We have no reasons not to be ready and we have more skills than most places in the world. (Goliath)

*
I definitely think we'll be ready. If Fifa believes we can do it, why can't we? Everyone else thinks it's possible, it's up to us to be positive and stop complaining. Many people lament that South Africa's spirit is gone. I think 2010 is a perfect opportunity for us all just to have a little faith and work together. (Rose)

*
As long as we start soon, we'll be OK. There are too many in SA that are automatically negative. We've hosted huge events before (World Cups and WSSD) without a problem, so let's just get to work! (Duncan)

Some who simply hope we will be ready said:

*
Call us optimistic, denial or whatever we will be ready for our World Cup!!!! It also took Germans 36 months to complete some of their stadiums. on the year of the tournament their stadiums were completed. 2010 here we come!!!!! (Zolani)

*
As a South African and a proud one at that, I can only hope that all will be ready, but like anything in life nothing is guaranteed. (merylin)

And some took a more complex stance:

*
I'm sure we will do what is needed for 4 weeks of football. My concern is that the R20,000,000,0000 or whatever could be spent in a better way and not simply for a football tournament leaving, among other things, magnificent empty football stadia. What benefit will accrue to shack dwellers, unemployed, victims of the high crime rate, inadequate transport system used by millions every day, people not near World Cup venues ??

*
If the stadiums are ready in time, it will be because of the Government eventually throwing all the money they have at the project in order to keep face. It will not be because of their good planning etc. (Anon)

Mo Rush

October 11th, 2006, 07:51 PM

Joburg hotels fill up for 2010 World Cup

By Gill Gifford, Phomello Molwedi and Jermaine Craig

Many of Joburg's top hotels are already fully booked for the 2010 World Cup. The Westcliff, the city's most elite place to stay, has no rooms available over the 2010 period.

Hans Prenner, general manager of the Michaelangelo in Sandton, today said his hotel was also already fully booked.

And this is likely to be the case for many other hotels as they are quickly filling up four years ahead of the big event.

According to the 2010 organising committee's latest progress report released last week, 18 584 hotel rooms have already been contracted for the event.

Of those, 5 732 are in Johannesburg, which will host the contest's opening match and final, and 4 463 are in Cape Town.

A conference looking at opportunities in the accommodation sector ahead of the 2010 World Cup, driven by the minister of environmental affairs and tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, is being held in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Of the large hotel chains, the Southern Sun group has had 6 231 rooms contracted, the Protea group 3 612, City Lodge 3 174 and Sun International 2 044.

Match Event Services, the company contracted by Fifa to look at the World Cup's accommodation requirements, is working towards a target of 55 000 contracted rooms.

In addition to hotels, Match is also looking to contract non-hotel accommodation such as lodges, guesthouses, national park accommodation and bed-and-breakfasts.

Debbie McKenzie of the Grace in Rosebank said the hotel had not yet started taking any bookings.

"We are still waiting for our people at the top to tell us when we can start taking bookings. The other thing is that we still haven't decided on the rates.

"We have emails from people who want to make reservations, but we have told them to wait until we get the itinerary for Johannesburg," said McKenzie.

She pointed out that their hotel had only 72 rooms, and that 20 of these would be reserved for their regular clients.

Robyn Saunders of the Rosebank Hotel said they had received many enquiries from local tour operators wanting to know about their hotel space and availability.

However, said Saunders, the hotel hadn't decided to be part of any tender process. She indicated that they could be running independently in taking bookings and that there would be an annual increase of 10 percent on their rates for every year leading to 2010.

The reservations desk at the Parktonian Hotel in Braamfontein confirmed that they also had not yet taken any bookings.

The marketing manager for Sun International at Carnival City in Brakpan, Duncan Pollock, said: "Basically we are a hotel aimed at gamblers. It's a small hotel, it has 48 rooms.

"We are building an additional 57 rooms, but it's not strictly for 2010. We will probably have a spinoff from 2010."

A call centre agent at Southern Sun at OR Tambo International Airport, who asked not to be named, said the hotel group did not have rooms allocated for accommodation during the 2010 World Cup.

"We don't even have rates for 2010 as yet," she said.

Danny Bryer of Protea Hotels said they would only start taking bookings after a decision had been taken as to which teams would be based where in the country.

"We have given our room stock to Fifa, and marketing to the fans in different countries will be done by a company chosen by Fifa," said Dryer.

He said they haven't received any bookings from foreign guests in connection with 2010.

However, Business Report said today that construction for the World Cup would be held hostage by cement imports, as local producers struggle to meet demand.

Natal Portland Cement, Pretoria Portland Cement and Lafarge have been caught napping by an unexpected surge in housing and commercial property developments.

They are now spending billions to boost plant capacity, but these are only due to be completed in 2008. Until then, manufacturers are having to import cement products to meet local demand.

Mo Rush

October 11th, 2006, 07:53 PM

Cape Town International set for R1,3bn upgrade

By Geoff bough

Cape Town International Airport is to get a R1,3-billion facelift, says Airports Company of South Africa spokesperson Deidre Hendricks.

It is part of an estimated R5,2-billion the company is to spend on airports across the country by 2010.

The Cape Town airport project is to be completed in a joint venture by Grinaker, LTA and Stocks and Stocks.

'the main construction will start in about three months' time'
"The developments at Cape Town International Airport are huge and will transform the airport as we know it," said George Uriesi, general manager of the airport.

"Knocking down of some buildings and relocating of staff is about to begin and the main construction will start in about three months' time."

The airport will see the construction of a central terminal that will include a new domestic airlines wing, an elevated road that will separate arrivals and departures levels and a second, multi-storey parking lot. Additional airline parking bays are to be built.

The current domestic terminal will eventually be phased out and demolished.

The airport is also projected to get eight "air bridges" that provide covered embarkation and disembarkation for passengers from the terminal to the plane. It currently has only two.

During construction, several airport tenants, including South African Police Service and some airline offices, will be relocated in temporary facilities.

Cape Town's airport currently serves seven million passengers a year. By 2010 that number is expected to jump to 10 million.

The upgrades are not solely a result of the upcoming 2010 World Cup, according to Hendricks. These "are being done to address capacity and service needs for 2010 and beyond", she said.

The dramatic increase in visitors that the airport will soon be able to handle could well provide an economic boom for the Western Cape.

Linda Chonco, the communications executive manager for Cape Town Routes Unlimited, said that by 2010 the estimate is that the Western Cape will see three million international travellers a year, up from 1,6 million in 2005. These international visitors could pump as much as R20-billion a year into the local economy, according to Chonco.

Chonco also said that since the influx of international travellers would not hit the Western Cape all at once, but rather over the course of the year, the region and the tourism industry should easily be capable of handling the increase.

Albert Schuitmaker, CEO of the Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce, said that the Western Cape has yet to realise its full potential.

Schuitmaker said he believes the region can potentially pull in as many as 7 million international travellers a year. "With the World Cup we expect that, but we also expect that to be sustainable," he said.

The upgrades to the airport and a successful marketing campaign of the Western Cape would help put that number within reach, according to Schuitmaker.

"If Cape Town is marketed properly as a destination of choice, we will increase the number of foreign tourists coming here," he said.

The potential increase in the number of people visiting the region could also produce a traffic nightmare along the already crowded N2.

Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for transport MEC.
__________________

Mo Rush

October 11th, 2006, 07:55 PM

'No cause for concern' at Athlone stadium

By Anél Powell
http://static.flickr.com/28/44628534_adaa3cd866.jpg?v=0

The City of Cape Town has allayed fears that steel structures at Athlone Stadium, one of the practice venues for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, are intrinsically flawed.

Deputy executive mayor Andrew Arnolds, who visited the site on Monday, said there were no flaws or any "cause for concern".

"The City of Cape Town has a R65-million investment in the development and upgrading of this stadium. When I learnt through a media report and a call from Councillor Paddy Chapple that there was a 1.5-metre gap in the steel structure being held together by cranes, I met engineers and builders on site. There was no such gap to be seen. There was only 20mm play in a steel structure held by bolts that was due to be tightened today as planned."

Arnolds, who is also the mayoral committee member for sport and amenities, said: "The senior engineer on site explained that the 150m-long steel structure had been lifted into place on Friday afternoon by three massive cranes. The steel structure was first assembled on the ground and measured for fit before erecting it. Once the structure was in place and tightened into the concrete supports, unfavourable weather conditions made it impossible for workers to tighten the last remaining bolts without risking injury.

"The cranes were left in place to act as additional support, although the structure in itself was stable. The last few bolts just needed to be tightened to complete the process today (Monday)."

Arnolds said reports of structural problems were "premature" and "at odds with the commitment, hard work and preparation" for the 2010 event.

"Professional surveyors have been a part of the process and it has been inspected on numerous occasions to ensure that rigorous international and Fifa standards are met."

Mo Rush

October 11th, 2006, 08:10 PM

Airport rail link on the cards for Cape Town

By Staff Writer

Cape Town could soon join the ranks of world cities with a direct rail link to its international airport.

This is one of a string of possible improvements to Capetonians' lives triggered by the 2010 World Cup.

The proposals emerge from a comprehensive transport plan presented to the council's transport portfolio committee.

Other plans to improve mobility around the city include 190-kilometre of cycle tracks, with a circular route for commuters linking Blouberg with the city centre, and the re-introduction of late-night trains.

Late-night trains are also on the cards
The city's acting executive director of transport, roads and stormwater, Maddie Mazaza, said this morning that a comprehensive airport rail link plan dating from 2000 was being closely re-examined.

"Just a short new link from the airport would be necessary to link into the existing rail network," she explained. "It would be fantastic. We need quick access for high volumes into the CBD. We are now going to cost it.

"But it would be expensive, so we will look at private concessionaires - they should be encouraged to participate."

Sources said another plan being considered was a light rail system alongside the N1, possibly elevated.

One expert said: "A direct rail link with the airport would, in one fell swoop, cut out traffic congestion and delays as well as the airport's parking nightmare."

'We are currently owed R3,5-billion'
Neil Muller, transport manager for the Western Cape, said on Friday: "Rail access to the airport is part of being a world-class city. And Cape Town is definitely on that path."

As to the plan for a cycle track, Mazaza said it would run parallel to the R27, "where we will also have lanes specially for public transport - so they will work together".

"The team that has been working with us has been to the Netherlands and to Sweden (to examine international best practice)."

A Cape Argus test last year showed that cyclists could reach the city in less than half the time of motorists crawling in morning traffic from Tableview.

Late-night trains are also on the cards.

Mazaza said the city aimed to have train running times extended from the current 16 hours a day back to 22, as in years past.

In rush hour, rail commuters would also be treated to trains every five minutes. Currently the gap is more than 10 minutes.

Commenting on the proposal for a direct rail link with the airport, mayor Helen Zille said on Friday: "It would really be ideal."

Zille said she had been invited on Thursday to Curitiba, in southern Brazil, a city widely acclaimed as "providing the world with a model of how to integrate sustainable transport considerations into business development, road infrastructure development and local community development", according to the Curitiba website.

Of Cape Town's plans, Zille said: "An integrated public transport infrastructure must be the great public legacy of 2010. That is what we're driving towards - transport is our lead project."

Mazaza said R190-million had been allocated to continue improving roads between the city centre and airport.

Other plans included allocating R90-million to implement the long-awaited Klipfontein Corridor plan.

Zille said the World Cup had helped weld a close working relationship between the province and the city in the past six months.

"Not only do we have an effective joint 2010 team, but there has been outstanding co-operation between the city's transport and the province's transport team to look at the best interests of the region and to bring forward many of the much- longer-term plans, so that we can implement them in time for 2010."

Zille added: "But we need people to pay what they owe the city so that we can do all of these things. We are currently owed R3,5-billion. We could do a lot with that."

On the proposed rail link with the airport, the head of the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Albert Schuitmaker, said such a plan would need to include developing a terminal in the city centre.

Giorgio

October 12th, 2006, 04:40 PM

This was emailed to me by a friend of mine in South Africa -

SA won't be ready for 2010, IOL readers say

October 11 2006 at 12:05PM

Eighty percent of people who voted in an IOL poll believe that South Africa will not be ready to host the 2010 soccer World Cup. The poll was based partly on a Business Report article, quoting construction giant Murray & Roberts as saying that there will be no room to extend time for construction of stadiums for the World Cup as it takes a minimum of 36 months to build a "specification stadium" without a roof. A total of 1 035 people voted on the question “Do you think our infrastructure will be ready before the start of the 2010 Soccer World Cup?”, with 213 – or 20 percent - saying yes, and 832 - or 80 percent - saying no.

Comments from those who believed the country will not be ready were:

*
The infrastructure is not there (rob).

*
Hell will freeze over before we are ready for 2010 (Adele).

*
This country is not yet ready to host a function of this magnitude (MarkN).

*
Just look at your current headlines - R89-million lost by Marine & Coastal Management, Hammanskral school buildings in shambles, Zuma best choice to head SA etc etc. You make up your own mind (zil).

*
By the time 2010 comes along, half the money allocated will be stolen, there will be investigations but no convictions, there will be internal fighting in the football union, the building contractrors will have gone on strike, SARFU will be running around like chickens with no heads with the begging bowl in both hands pleading with anyone who will help, the cement supplies will have dried up and most of all the qualified and competent skilled labout will have been chased from the country by the ANC. (Imboriako)

*
Germany knew which roads would be closed and how traffic would be routed 4YEARS before the World Cup kicked off. We are nowhere near that sort of organisation. That is the difference between First World and Third World mentality. There will be allegations of missing money, worker strikes before this is over. (Anton)

So there is plenty og truth to the rumors it seems.

* THIS IS THE FUNNIEST REPLY:)
We have a more transparent government than any in the world (:runaway: ). We have a huge and cheap labour force to build our stadiums. Our country is one of the top 10 international conference venues in the world and we have hosted world cup cricket and rugby events. We have no reasons not to be ready and we have more skills than most places in the world. (Goliath)
Goliath aka Mo Rush :lol:

SYDNEY

October 13th, 2006, 03:20 AM

;10094822']So there is plenty og truth to the rumors it seems. Goliath aka Mo Rush :lol:

LOL ;)

This .... "We have a more transparent government than any in the world. We have a huge and cheap labour force to build our stadiums. Our country is one of the top 10 international conference venues in the world and we have hosted world cup cricket and rugby events. We have no reasons not to be ready and we have more skills than most places in the world"

Should read .... "We have one of the most corrupt government's in the world. We have a lazy and under-paid labour force to build our stadiums. Our country is one of the top 10 international conference venues in the world which means that we can handle a conference like the FIFA World Cup. We have hosted world cup cricket and rugby events many moons ago when crime was not as bad as it is right now and who cares to compare apples with apples, I prefer comparing apples with pears. We have no reasons not to be ready and we have more skills than most places in the world but by chance most of these skills are living in other countries like The UK, Canada, Dubai, New Zealand and Australia"

Dallas star

October 13th, 2006, 03:43 AM

Any one have a map and time schedule of stadiums and completions?

Mo Rush

October 13th, 2006, 07:54 PM

SA World Cup gets accommodation boost

South Africa authorities have unveiled plans to boost accommodation for the 2010 World Cup and encourage fans to stay at small guesthouses in sprawling city townships.

"We are delivering on our promise to ensure that participants in the 2010 World Cup will be treated to a uniquely African experience," tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk told an accommodation workshop.

He said US$22.5 million would be spent to provide extra rooms for the 3.5 million people expected by organizers to attend the competition.

"For the first time ever (in a World Cup), non-hotel accommodation such as national park accommodation, lodges, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts will also be contracted," Van Schalkwyk said.

This would include "properly graded hotels and lodges" in townships like Soweto - just outside Johannesburg and a symbol of resistance to the former apartheid regime.

South Africa is preparing to become the first African nation to host the prestigious event.

Van Schalkwyk said Bloemfontein, Nelspruit and Polokwane - all designated to host first-round matches - were struggling to fill their quota of rooms and would get financial help from the new funds.

The government has earmarked about US$665 million for building and renovating 10 stadiums - including six new ones - and a further US$1.2 billion on airports, roads and railway lines.

The finance ministry is expected to give more funding details during a visit to South Africa later this month by a Fifa delegation.

Mo Rush

October 13th, 2006, 07:55 PM

Hurry to book your room for 2010

By Sivuyile Mangxamba

Fifa has already secured over 4 000 hotel rooms in Cape Town for the 2010 World Cup.

Match, an organisation mandated by world football's governing body to contract rooms for thousands of Fifa dignitaries and guests, has secured 4 463 hotel rooms in Cape Town.

The number is expected to increase in the coming months as Fifa looks to secure a total of 55 000 rooms in South Africa by the time the event kicks off.

Fifa has contracted rooms in the Southern Sun, Sheraton, Don Suites, Sun International and Protea hotels in the city.

Fifa looks to secure a total of 55 000 rooms
In Johannesburg Fifa has contracted the most rooms, 5 732, while 2 674 rooms have been secured so far in Durban.

In its accommodation status report, Match said that at least 18 584 hotel rooms had been contracted in South African host cities so far.

More rooms would be found at lodges, guest houses, national park accommodation and bed-and-breakfasts.

"Some host cities do not have sufficient accommodation to contract. The non-hotel accommodation would therefore supplement contracted hotel accommodation," the Match status report said.

The country's flourishing non-hotel holiday accommodation industry therefore appears set to benefit from the Match contracts.

Limited accommodation in host cities
The report said South Africa had a rich variety and a large supply of non-hotel accommodation.

Match said it would support a South African government objective to encourage the use of non-hotel accommodation by contracting this type of accommodation for visitors.

"Match would therefore directly support a key legacy objective of the 2010 World Cup through contracting with non-hotel accommodation," the organisation said.

But some guests are going to have to travel considerable distances from their accommodation to football matches.

Due to the limited accommodation in host cities, Match will also have to contract accommodation in what it calls "satellite accommodation areas".

It gives the Garden Route town of George as an example.

Match appeared satisfied with the availability of accommodation. "The numbers of rooms that are currently contracted are similar in number to those contracted in respect of the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany," the organisation said.

Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk will hold a Host City 2010 Fifa World Cup accommodation workshop at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng today.

Match is expected to offer further contracts to accommodation owners.

The ticket and accommodation arm of Fifa will speak to South Africa's tourism grading council to ensure that guests are staying in quality-assured rooms.

This workshop is expected to be addressed by the local organising committee chief executive Danny Jordaan, Van Schalkwyk and SA Tourism chief executive Moeketsi Mosola.

Other workshops for the host cities will be held around the country as part of a road show to explain the contracting of accommodation and to acquire more rooms.

Cape Town will hold a workshop on November 8.

Lodge owners from satellite accommodation areas such as Worcester, Stellenbosch, Oudtshoorn and George are expected to attend.

Mo Rush

October 13th, 2006, 07:58 PM

Cape Town wants to be media centre for World Cup
Chris van Gass
Related Links
# Glorious event will need African fusion

Cape Correspondent

CAPE TOWN — Cape Town has put in a strong bid to be the broadcasting hub for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

A Fifa technical committee visiting the city was yesterday addressed by both Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool and Cape Town mayor Helen Zille as part of a move to convince them to use the city’s international convention centre as headquarters for thousands of television and print media.

Rasool said yesterday that while the province and the city did not “do a hard sell”, it was nevertheless an opportunity to convince Fifa Cape Town had the necessary communications connectivity to act as host.

Asked if Johannesburg should not be the natural choice, Rasool said the city would not be devastated if Johannesburg got the media centre, “it is all in interest of SA as a whole”.

However, he said it need not be a given that the city hosting the final match should also host the broadcasting centre.

He said even though the final in the recent World Cup in Germany was held in Berlin, the broadcast centre was based in Munich.

“What one needs is an efficient communications system, which Cape Town offers — and in a relaxed atmosphere,” he said.

Mo Rush

October 13th, 2006, 08:09 PM

Any one have a map and time schedule of stadiums and completions?
*ConCup indicates use in the Confederations Cup in June 2009
Existing
Upgrade Completion Dates

Soccer City : December 2008 (extensive upgrade) *ConCup
Free State stadium: December 2008 (minimal upgrade) *ConCup
Loftus Versfeld: June 2008 ( as early as December 2007 predicted) Medium scale upgrade *ConCup
Ellis Park : December 2008 (minimal upgrade) addition of 10,000 seats
Rustenburg Stadium : December 2008 (minimal upgrade) addition of 10,000 seats *ConCup

New

Cape Town: December 2008 (proposed) More likely June - August 2009
King Senz, Durban: December 2008 - Constructio has begun
Peter Mokaba stadium: December 2008
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium: December 2008 *ConCup - Construction has begun
Mbombela Stadium: December 2008

http://www.sa-venues.com/2010/images/sa.gif

Mo Rush

October 14th, 2006, 02:31 PM

In advance of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a second tier will be added to the main grandstand on the western side of the ground, increasing the net capacity beyond the 40,000- mark required for venues to stage 1st and 2nd round matches. Additionally, new turnstiles will be erected, the floodlights will be upgraded, electronic scoreboards will be installed and the sound system will be revamped to the required standards.

The stadium will host the Currie Cup final, an interprovincial rugby tournament in South Africa with a colourful history. Tickets are sold out.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/56/VodacomPark.jpg

Wezza

October 14th, 2006, 03:25 PM

All this talk that S.A. won't be ready on time, I'm sure they'll be ready & will host an awesome World Cup, can't wait!! ;)

dysan1

October 15th, 2006, 12:05 AM

Its gonna be great! Welcome back enigma...good to see u havent changed

Mo Rush

October 15th, 2006, 12:22 AM

Its gonna be great! Welcome back enigma...good to see u havent changed

that it will be.

Giorgio

October 15th, 2006, 10:31 AM

LOL ;)

This .... "We have a more transparent government than any in the world. We have a huge and cheap labour force to build our stadiums. Our country is one of the top 10 international conference venues in the world and we have hosted world cup cricket and rugby events. We have no reasons not to be ready and we have more skills than most places in the world"

Should read .... "We have one of the most corrupt government's in the world. We have a lazy and under-paid labour force to build our stadiums. Our country is one of the top 10 international conference venues in the world which means that we can handle a conference like the FIFA World Cup. We have hosted world cup cricket and rugby events many moons ago when crime was not as bad as it is right now and who cares to compare apples with apples, I prefer comparing apples with pears. We have no reasons not to be ready and we have more skills than most places in the world but by chance most of these skills are living in other countries like The UK, Canada, Dubai, New Zealand and Australia"
Genius!

Mo Rush

October 15th, 2006, 07:42 PM

http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379192.jpg

Harkeb

October 16th, 2006, 05:59 AM

Great stuff happening down here, and sure will be very memorable a occasion.

skaP187

October 17th, 2006, 02:11 PM

http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379192.jpg

Only thing that's missing is the Roman theatres... For the rest, if I could I'd be there tomorow (for business, A lot a second homes beeing build there Mo'rush, cause that's my business in Spain!)

Durbsboi

October 18th, 2006, 09:55 AM

Stadium ahead of schedule

By Alan Cooper

Work on Durban’s 2010 showcase, the King Senzangakhona Stadium, is well ahead of schedule, with piling to support the huge structure under way and construction of the main stadium set to start in December.
The stadium is due for completion almost exactly two years later in December 2008, well in advance for the World Cup, and it will form the centrepiece of the surrounding King’s Park Sports Precinct, which is being developed into a sporting and recreational hub for the city.
“Timing is crucial if we are to meet our 2010 goals and I’m pleased to report that work on the stadium is ahead of schedule,” said Julie-May Ellingson, who heads the city’s Strategic Projects Unit and 2010 Programme.
“We have made an appointment on the piling tender and the contractor has begun work, which means the site should be ready for the primary contractor to begin work on the stadium in December,” said Ellingson.
Tender documents for the main contract will be distributed in the next few weeks to selected companies who responded to a publicly advertised invitation to prequalify for the contract. The successful bidder is due to be announced in November.
Ellingson warned people who lived or worked in the vicinity of the stadium to expect possible disruptions in the coming weeks. “We will be doing upgrades in the King’s Park Precinct for the IPC World Championships and opening a bicycle lane later in the month, both of which contribute towards the King’s Park Sports Precinct Plan.”
Work would also begin soon on breaking up the derelict rolling stock in the marshalling yard fronting NMR Avenue, to make way for the occupation of this site by the main stadium contractor.
“A joint team is working to put together an Environmental Management Plan to ensure that nuisances which may arise during the break-up of the coaches is minimised,” Ellingson said.

She said the site was critical to the stadium and the precinct plan and would provide 4 500 bays of underground parking, beneath the proposed People’s Park and Heroes’ Walk.
“We regret any inconvenience that may arise, but we urge those affected to keep the final goal in mind. The King’s Park Precinct, when complete, will benefit the entire city.”
Fit for royalty...
The King Senzangakhona stadium incorporates an impressive range of facilities and features, including:
Flexible seating capacity will provide 54 000 permanent seats but will allow for an additional 31 000 temporary seats to be added, for a maximum capacity of 85 000. For the
World Cup, the stadium will seat 70 000.
The stadium bowl design provides for a multi-purpose facility that can cater for international football, rugby, athletics and concert events.
A 100m high arch which will possibly include a cable car and action walk.
A raised stadium podium will allow for easy, safe access to the site.
Pedestrians and vehicles will be kept totally separate.
Parking (1 000 bays) will be provided under the raised podium for operational requirements and VIPs.
The roof will create a dense and intense atmospheric feeling, and provide protection.

Source: www.durban.gov.za

kirby21

October 18th, 2006, 10:06 AM

beautiful stadiums on first page. Great!

Mo Rush

October 18th, 2006, 06:15 PM

Cape Town, CTICC pegged for 2010 media centre

By Yunus Kemp

Staff Writer

Cape Town's convention centre is a winner that will pose a real threat to Johannesburg and Durban's aspirations of hosting the media centre for the 2010 World Cup.

This was the overarching, if unsaid, theme of the Cape Town International Convention Centre's (CTICC) annual press conference, held at the centre on Tuesday.

The CTICC reports that in the past financial year, it has contributed about R1,5-billion to South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) and created more than 5 000 jobs.

It has also reached an agreement with the City of Cape Town about rates and is to pay R3,2-million a year.

A recent study by economist Barry Standish, of the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business, and independent economic modeller Antony Boting suggests that, at R1,3-billion, the centre's macro-economic contribution in the 2006 financial year "is in line with forecasts made in previous estimates and shows a growth of 8,8 percent over the previous year".

Standish said their initial projections had been off the mark. "We were wrong by 50 percent. The economic benefits were double what we estimated."

The key benefit had arisen from international congresses - on average, delegates spent almost R3 000 a day.

CTICC managing director Dirk Elzinga described the centre as "one of the best performing convention centres in the southern hemisphere".

Cape Town is ranked 36th in a list of congress destinations, but is in eighth position for scheduled international congresses for the next 10 years.

Elzinga said plans included the expansion of the CTICC - doubling its area to 20 000 square metres, expanding on the side facing Customs House. "The media centre would be the first client of the Customs House building. Fifa is interested in having the CTICC as the media centre."

A Fifa delegation visited the centre last week. "They said they would have liked to have announced it by the end of the year, but will do so later stage."

The CTICC is up against Gallagher Estate and Nasrec in Johannesburg and Durban's convention centre.

* This article was originally published on page 5 of The Cape Argus on October 18, 2006

http://www.cticc.co.za//userimages/CTICCVIEWT_middle.jpg

Mo Rush

October 18th, 2006, 06:22 PM

SA right on track for 2010, says Jordaan

By Lee Rondganger

South Africa is right on track and even ahead of Fifa's requirements for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

This is according to Danny Jordaan, CEO of South Africa's 2010 organising committee.

Jordaan said SA had met Fifa's stringent requirements and was even ahead of where Germany had been at the same stage of its preparations.

He said the World Cup Special Measures Act had been passed, and the cup had been declared a "Protected Event", to guard it against so-called "ambush marketing".

Plans for 10 stadiums in nine cities that will host matches, and their funding, had been completed, Jordaan said. Building would start from January and all the venues would be completed in a much quicker time than Germany took.

Soccer City (FNB Stadium), located on the doorstep of Soweto, will be upgraded to seat 95 000 and should be completed by 2009.

Comparing Soccer City with the Berlin Stadium in Germany, Jordaan said that while the latter took 48 months to complete, SA would finish Soccer City in 30 months.

Jordaan said international teams would be able to set up base camps in neighbouring countries. Angola or Mozambique, for example, could be the base camps for Brazil and Portugal, while Namibia could be the base for Germany.

He also took a swipe at press speculation about the country's ability to host the cup, saying there was no way it would be moved to Australia, as there were no Australians on the local organising committee.

* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on October 18, 2006

Cape Town pegged for 2010 Media Centre

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20061018125842178C621411

SA right on track for 2010, says Jordaan

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20061018132318534C113697

Jordaan confident about security for 2010

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=qw1161174063473S163

Mo Rush

October 18th, 2006, 06:23 PM

Cape Town pegged for 2010 Media Centre

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20061018125842178C621411

SA right on track for 2010, says Jordaan

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20061018132318534C113697

Jordaan confident about security for 2010

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=qw1161174063473S163

Mo Rush

October 19th, 2006, 01:46 PM

Construction of 2010 stadiums set to be faster than Germany's

October 19, 2006, 1 hour, 37 minutes and 31 seconds ago.

By www.andnetwork .com

The anticipated time lines for the completion of World Cup 2010 stadiums indicate that some of South Africa's stadiums would be complete within a shorter period than Germany's stadiums.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, the Local Organising Committee's Chief Executive Officer Danny Jordaan said the timelines set for the completion of the stadiums were based on research and engagement with construction companies The 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee has appointed a specialist technical team to ensure that the timelines set for the construction of the stadiums remain realistic. Mr Jordaan said they had set a benchmark against Germany to ensure that "we compare apples with apples." Germany was the host of this year's FIFA Soccer World Cup. The upgrading of the 95 000 capacity Soccer City stadium in Gauteng is expected to be completed within 30 months as compared to Germany's Berlin stadium, which took 48 months of construction. In Polokwane, it is expected that the new stadium would be totally built in 28 months against 32 months duration of the construction of Cologne stadium. The Stadium in Polokwane boosts 46 000 capacity. Mbombela, a stadium in Mpumalanga is to be finished in 27 Months while Cologne was done with in about 32 months. Two stadiums geared to be ready for the tournament will be behind Germany's timeline: The new 70 000 seat Greenpoint stadium in Cape Town would be one month behind, compared to Munich stadium which was built in 32 months and Durban's new 70 000 seat stadium would be completed two months later than the stadium in Munich. All these stadiums are expected to be finished by 2009 - a year before the largest sporting event on earth. The following stadiums are to be finished in 2008 for the confederation cup games: In Port Elizabeth, the new 48 000 capacity stadium in the Mandela Metropolitan Council is anticipated to be ready in 24 months while Frankfurt's stadium was ready for the games in 36 months. Here a sod turning ceremony has already been carried out. The Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria is to be upgraded in 18 months as compared to a lengthy 58 Months in Stuttgart stadium. Another upgraded stadium in Johannesburg, the 61 006 capacity Ellis Park venue is expected to trail three months behind the comparable Dortmund stadium which was ready in 17 months. In the City of Bloemfontein, the 48 000 seater Mangaung stadium will stand ready in 18 months while Hanover's stadium was complete in 23 months. Also comparable to Hanover's stadium, the 42 000 seat Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg is set to receive a complete facelift in 19 months. BuaNews

Mo Rush

October 19th, 2006, 02:03 PM

According to The Star, the committee has set the following targets for completion of South Africa's 2010 stadiums:

* Soccer City (FNB Stadium), Johannesburg (upgrade) - 30 months
http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379432.jpg
* King Senzangakhona Stadium, Durban (construction) - 34 months
http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379393.jpg
* Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane (construction)- 28 months
http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379312.jpg
* Loftus Versveld Stadium, Pretoria (upgrade) - 18 months
http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379152.jpg
* Greenpoint Stadium, Cape Town (construction) - 31 months
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1529/slide22xm2.jpg
* Nelson Mandela Stadium, Port Elizabeth (construction) - 24 months
http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379272.jpg
* Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg (upgrade) - 20 months
http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379052.jpg
* Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein (upgrade) - 18 months
http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379072.jpg
* Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg (upgrade) - 19 months
http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379352.jpg
* Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit (construction) - 27 months
http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379232.jpg

Its AlL gUUd

October 19th, 2006, 02:21 PM

I hope the SA organising comittee are paying you Mo ;)

Mo Rush

October 19th, 2006, 10:56 PM

Real Player required

1. Danny Jordaan on construction http://www.sabcnews.com/audio_ram/0,1574,30150,00.ramhttp://www.sabcnews.com/audio_ram/0,1574,30150,00.ram

2. Danny Jordaan on security
http://www.sabcnews.com/audio_ram/0,1574,30151,00.ram

3. Irvin Khosa on issues with host cities
http://www.sabcnews.com/audio_ram/0,1574,30152,00.ram

Apologies for poor quality

Mo Rush

October 20th, 2006, 12:52 PM

Mandela Bay named as the host of 2009 Cup play-offs

By Max Matavire Metro Editor

PRESSURE to get moving on Nelson Mandela Bay‘s new soccer stadium intensified yesterday, when it was announced the city had been confirmed as a venue for the 2009 Confederations Cup.

The event – a precursor for the 2010 Soccer World Cup – will see eight of the world‘s strongest national teams vying for honours.

South Africa, as the host country, will also take part.

Port Elizabeth is the only host city that is building a new soccer stadium, and the race to finish it in time for the 2009 event will now be even tighter. Initially the stadium had to be ready only in time for the World Cup.

Yesterday‘s confirmation was an about-turn from earlier statements made by the soccer local organising committee.

Last month, the committee said Mandela Bay, Cape Town and Durban would not host any matches during the tournament.

However, 2010 Soccer World Cup chief executive Danny Jordaan yesterday confirmed Port Elizabeth would host a match for the Confederation Cup.

Only last month, the 2010 local organising committee announced that Gauteng‘s Soccer City, Ellis Park and Loftus stadiums, North West‘s Royal Bafokeng Stadium, and the Free State Stadium would be the host venues for the tournament. Confirming the news, Mandela Bay municipal manager Graham Richards said that although the city was “on track” with its preparations for the Soccer World Cup, the fact it would now host a match of the Confederations Cup meant work would have to be “accelerated again”.

“We are ready for it, and in reasonable shape. The local organising committee is happy about our preparations. We are on track,” he said.

Richards said the city would host play-offs for third and fourth places.

He also said the municipality was about to appoint a 2010 co-ordinator to run the programme.

The R83-million given to the municipality for planning and development had already been committed. This involved the World Cup stadium site clearing and demolishing existing buildings, Richards said.

All tenders documents had been prepared, and were awaiting the announcement on the allocation of stadium construction funds by the national treasury.

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel is expected to make this announcement next week in Parliament.

Next month, Port Elizabeth will host the first of a series of workshops, to which all service providers are invited. Match, a service provider to Fifa, will run the workshop which aims to find out what accommodation is available not only in Nelson Mandela Bay but also in areas such as Jeffreys Bay, Grahamstown and other surrounding areas.

Reacting to the news of the Confederations Cup, Port Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce president, Dave Coffey, said: “It‘s important to host the match to check our state of readiness for the 2010 World Cup.”

Safa Mandela Bay spokesman Boya Chetty said it was great news for the city.

“People are hungry for soccer,” he said.

Nafcoc regional president Kutloano Headbush said hosting the match was an achievement for the city.

“This means people have confidence in the metro. Hosting the match will obviously create a lot of economic spin-offs and more job opportunities.”

Mandela Bay Tourism chief executive Fezekile Tshiwula said: “It‘s likely to draw people into the city, especially if it will feature top countries like Nigeria.”

Mo Rush

October 20th, 2006, 01:02 PM

A little fact: Total final project cost Wembley Stadium R10.25 billion..total cost for all 2010 stadia, new and upgraded....R12.5 billion, significantly lower construction costs in RSA

Mo Rush

October 20th, 2006, 01:22 PM

Cape Town's Waterfront,(recently sold for one billion dollars) V&A, set for R22bn($2.5billion ) World Cup revamp

By Staff Reporter

The V&A Waterfront is set for a R22-billion revamp to convert it into a luxury resort with a six-star hotel, a five-star hotel, two three-star hotels and a beach area.

Dubai World, part of the consortium that recently purchased the Waterfront for R7.5bn, says the revamp will be completed before the 2010 soccer World Cup.

Plans have been drawn and construction could be under way in three months.

The plan is to fly hundreds of soccer fans from the United Arab Emirates directly to Cape Town. They would be put up in the hotels Dubai World plans to build.

The United Arab Emirates is an eight-hour flight from Cape Town - a comfortable enough flying time for soccer lovers and businessmen.

Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool announced the V&A Waterfront revamp this week. Dubai World chairman Sultan Achmat bin Sulayem had discussed the revamp with Rasool, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel and Transnet boss Maria Ramos at a meeting on Monday.

Rasool said the meeting had focused on business opportunities for 2010.

He said Dubai World had received international recognition for its development of the Palm Island resorts on the Dubai coast and this was an example of the confidence international business had in Cape Town's ability to host World Cup games.

He said South Africans should have confidence in their economy and ability.

Rasool also said people should not be distracted by nay-sayers who had no idea of the development opportunities awaiting the Western Cape.

Cape Town has provisionally been allocated eight World Cup matches.

The design of the new Green Point stadium had been completed, said Rasool, and tenders for the construction should be awarded by the end of the year. Critics who said the stadium would cost the city too much money had no idea of the cup's economic opportunities.

Published on the web by Cape Argus on October 20, 2006.

http://static.flickr.com/109/264499287_bc2c70d32a.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/47/124556348_12c8dd6c37.jpg?v=0

dysan1

October 20th, 2006, 02:23 PM

the PE story makes me nervous...and i think the SA build figure will be higher mo

Mo Rush

October 20th, 2006, 03:09 PM

the PE story makes me nervous...and i think the SA build figure will be higher mo

i suppose it could increase

halo13

October 20th, 2006, 09:34 PM

Mo Rush

October 20th, 2006, 10:11 PM

I've said it once and i'll say it again...if u lot think this is going off without a hitch you're fooling yourselves. Look the whole world cup being in new locations is the driving force behind our bid winning, not our true ability to actually host it. We won more in relation to the other African nations because fifa were hell bent on WC2010 being in Africa. Now look i know our government sux and our workforce is, well shyt but now its about other nations and tourists and after all the foreigner muggings and related crime, we need to seriously re-evaluate our priorities. I love soccer more than my own life, but not more than the lives of others and all i'm saying, regardless of stadia and other infrastructure, we are not really ready too be responsible for the safety and well being, of not just soccer but tons of people.

2006 bid, in relation to the world south africa lost out by one vote..so your in relation to africa argument fails...safety in everyday life in south africa will not apply to the security that will be in place specifically for the world cup. I respect your opinion, but I disagree based on what ive seen in europe, and in other parts of the world and what south africa will have in place for the 2010 world cup.I'm not quite sure whate you're on about in some parts, its all a bit muddled actually, so perhaps make yourself clearer,, its a bit of safety a bit of this being shite and that being shite....if all you wanting to achieve is to spread negativity and doubts, rather not. this aim of this thread is to provide info on 2010, and updates on progress, and there are other elements who comment in this thread who have the negativity stance already,so perhaps choose another one...

Mo Rush

October 25th, 2006, 07:21 PM

Blatter issues warning as SA rubber-stamped

By Sivuyile Mangxaba, Murray Williams and Jermaine Craig

The 2010 World Cup will be staged in South Africa and that's final - and you can take it from Fifa chief Sepp Blatter.

Blatter sent an unequivocal message that banishes persistent speculation that the event could be moved if South Africa fell behind schedule.

Blatter said: "Plan A is the 2010 World Cup will be staged in South Africa.

'This country - and I know this country personally - is absolutely capable'
"Plan B is the 2010 Fifa World Cup will be staged in South Africa.

"Plan C is the 2010 Fifa World Cup will be staged in South Africa."

Blatter's words were quoted in Cape Town on Tuesday by Fifa communications director Markus Siegler.

Siegler said Blatter had been due to address parliament ahead of this week's 2010 Kick-off Workshop at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, but had been unable to do so for health reasons.

On Blatter's behalf, Siegler said: "You are absolutely on schedule, you're absolutely on track. You're even more advanced than the Germans were four years ago.

"(Any doubts are) completely unfair. This country - and I know this country personally - is absolutely capable."

Germany, the previous hosts, had also faced "a lot of problems".

"At least South Africa's economy is growing - Germany's is not."

Siegler said South Africa stood to benefit enormously from the "vast publicity" the tournament would bring. "All the cities will be put on the world map."

Hundreds of hours of programming on television channels around the world would provide an extra-ordinary opportunity to showcase South Africa's culture, people and beautiful landscapes.

"I know you had the cricket World Cup, you had the rugby World Cup, but this in on a different level."

Among the concerns swirling around the tournament plans are South Africa's high crime rate. But safety and security minister Charles Nqakula insisted to Fifa delegates on Tuesday that he was confident spectators would be safe.

Nqakula said the government was gaining the upper hand in the war against crime.

More than 500 suspects had been arrested over the past two months for more than 800 crimes including murder, rape and robbery.

Much of the discussion at the workshop was held behind closed doors.

President Thabo Mbeki on Tuesday led a delegation of government ministers to meet Fifa officials, other 2010 partners and commercial sponsors at the Kick-off Workshop.

Cape Town mayor Helen Zille said afterwards: "I was very encouraged by the response to Cape Town's preparations."

But on Wednesday the City of Cape Town was expected to be told even more money may be needed to finance the building of the proposed Green Point stadium, which so far has a budget of R3,3-billion.

This was because engineers have discovered that in order to dig the foundations as deep as required, they will have to deal with a layer of bedrock.

But Zille promised that the implications would not be "dramatic".

Elsewhere on the money front, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel was expected to reveal the government's financial contribution for stadiums and transport infrastructure in his medium-term Budget statement on Wednesday.

Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi said Manuel's Budget adjustments would "indicate resource allocations to allow construction to begin in January".

The budget allocated would enable South Africa to deliver a world-class tournament.

The tournament organising committee has told the Treasury it needs R8,3-billion to build or upgrade the 10 stadiums required for Africa's first World Cup.

In this year's Budget Manuel had allocated R5,5-billion for stadiums, but this amount is expected to be substantially increased on Wednesday.

* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Argus on October 25, 2006

The Argus

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-10-25 12:42:00
© Independent Online 2005. All rights reserved. IOL publishes this article in good faith but is not liable for any loss or damage caused by reliance on the information it contains.

KiwiBrit

October 25th, 2006, 10:22 PM

Nqakula said the government was gaining the upper hand in the war against crime.

More than 500 suspects had been arrested over the past two months for more than 800 crimes including murder, rape and robbery.

So are there government figures showing crime is decreasing? I've a South African friend who's two biggest concerns for the tournament are crime and transportation.

I have no doubt's SA can build some of the finest stadiums in the world, and on time, but there is so much more to a successful WC then that alone.

Durbsboi

October 26th, 2006, 10:42 AM

^^True, alhough crime stats are showing there is a decrease, there is a fair amount of crime being commited, hopefully by 2010 these figures would have decreased drasticly.

Mo Rush

October 26th, 2006, 06:29 PM

Crime figures will drop by 2010 but not significantly. Can the safety of spectators and fans be guaranteed? Yes. If fans and spectators choose to travel alone outside of the city into moe dangerous neighbourhoods then their safety cannot be guaranteed. However on public transport, within the City centres, areas leading to the stadium, around links and networks leading to fanparks safety will be guaranteed.

kulani

October 27th, 2006, 01:55 PM

Crime won't drop until we get around to firing the Minister of safety and security and his commissioner. How many more people must die before they get their act together and give this the necessary attention that it deserves. I am not bitter but i myself was hijacked at gun point in 2004 in Midrand. I am sick and tired of having to explain the crime story to people overseas who are interested in coming there. I can't explain it because its just gone mad!

They let these monsters loose with the so called liberal constitution that allows a criminal to walk free days after being arrested and then continue to under pay the police which contribute to them taking bribes to supplement their income. When i went to the Midrand police station where my car was taken after it was recovered by the tracking company, i learned from a new police officer who was so frustrated that they did not even have enough vehicles as most of them were in garages being repaired endlessly so they always have to wait for a vehicle before they can respond to a robbery. He also mentioned that they had no bullet proofs and he himself didn't even have a gun!! I hope this and other similar issues are getting the necessary attention. Crime in SA is extremely organized now and our police are extremely disorganized. I am not bitter. I am one of those who was lucky to be sparred but what about those who weren't lucky? We have to stand-up against this. I want the world cup to happen in SA but this must be dealt with immediately.

Mo Rush

October 27th, 2006, 06:36 PM

Watch the highlights of the FIFA conference in Cape Town

http://www.fifa.com/en/worldcup/inde...ticleid=124211

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/72247813.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=8AF8AF6A335E5B0819094A1ED08222F3

Kampflamm

October 27th, 2006, 06:40 PM

"At least South Africa's economy is growing - Germany's is not."

And what the hell does this have to do with anything (he's wrong actually, our economy is growing, just not at mindblowing rates...but what can you expect from a FIFA fatcat)? Besides, SA is lightyears behind Germany in economic terms so it's not surprising to see higher growth there.

Mo Rush

October 27th, 2006, 06:45 PM

And what the hell does this have to do with anything (he's wrong actually, our economy is growing, just not at mindblowing rates...but what can you expect from a FIFA fatcat)? Besides, SA is lightyears behind Germany in economic terms so it's not surprising to see higher growth there.

its an irresponsible statement which should not be taken seriously

Kampflamm

October 27th, 2006, 06:49 PM

wiki

October 28th, 2006, 02:51 AM

i think south africa will be a really good host, i love african cultuture very similar to here in caribbean

Giorgio

October 28th, 2006, 12:25 PM

Germany hosted a great tournament and this is the thanks we get..."your economy blows and you had major problems in the run up to the tournament."

Seems to be the case after many highly successful events...

TEBC

October 28th, 2006, 04:56 PM

how is going the constructions??

Benjuk

October 29th, 2006, 05:05 AM

This is what I hate about FIFA. Germany hosted a great tournament and this is the thanks we get..."your economy blows and you had major problems in the run up to the tournament." Wouldn't mind telling Siegler to stay in Switzerland if Germany's become too poor for his exquisite taste.

It's a simple fact of life that sometimes an event is staged to such a level that it would be extremely difficult for the next event to match it. Germany put on an excellent World Cup, it would be almost unfair to expect ANY nation to match it - even worse for a developing nation. I'm sure that FIFA, etc., are attempting to direct people's attention to the few negatives in Germany in order to make the ride smoother for South Africa.

That said:

Ticketing in Germany was a farce in terms of the measures to make sure tickets weren't sold on, etc. I went to six matches and didn't have any of my tickets checked, wasn't asked for any ID, etc.

There were many many roadworks problems as we criss-crossed the country. A 90 minute hold up on the way to Stutgart meant that we only just got to the stadium about 2 minutes before kick-off. I assume that the various roadworks were intended to be completed prior to the finals and ran over schedule.

Security was a joke. What's the point in having search channels at all stadium area entrances, with special channels for women, if you're not going to search Muslim women for fear of offending them? I saw this happen (or NOT happen) to a whole line of Muslim women at the Saudi vs Spain match.

Mo Rush

October 29th, 2006, 03:26 PM

Construction starts: January 2007
Constuction Ends: December 2008
Proposed Matches: 3rd/4th place playoff 2010 world cup, one of five venues 2009 confederations cup

http://www.rendertaxi.de/img/projekte/full/spe_01.jpg
http://www.rendertaxi.de/img/projekte/full/spe_02.jpg
http://www.rendertaxi.de/img/projekte/full/spe_03.jpg
http://www.rendertaxi.de/en/img/projekte/full/spe2_02.jpg
http://www.rendertaxi.de/en/img/projekte/full/spe2_01.jpg

dysan1

October 29th, 2006, 07:00 PM

Mo mo, when we hearing something on the CT stadium? all we know now is that it no longer has a closing all weather roof

Mo Rush

October 30th, 2006, 08:11 AM

i dunno...they all fucked up.

Race to complete plan for 2010

By Igsaan Salie

CITY officials burnt the midnight oil at the Civic Centre this weekend in a race to complete Cape Town's integrated 2010 business plan, which must be submitted to the National Treasury by Tuesday.

The city estimates the cost of the 2010 World Cup stadium to be built at Green Point could be about R3.3 billion of which the city is prepared to contribute R400 million. City officials were this weekend trying to trim costs even further.

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel announced last week that government would make R15bn available to fund the 2010 infrastructure projects.

Manuel said R5.6bn would be spent on the five new stadiums being built across the country and R1.9bn would go towards upgrading of five existing stadiums.

A further R5.5bn would be injected into the supporting infrastructure such as transport.

If the city's business plan is approved by the government, construction on the stadium is expected to start by January.

City officials also met Western Province rugby head Robert Wagner to discuss the sustainability of a Green Point stadium after the World Cup event.

Mike Marsden, the city's 2010 project leader, said the most reliable way to ensure the stadium was sustainable was to contract an experien-ced long-term operator.

igsaan.salie@inl.co.za

Published on the web by Cape Argus on October 29, 2006. © Cape Argus 2006. All rights reserved.

Durbsboi

October 30th, 2006, 10:03 AM

i dunno...they all fucked up.

Whats new?

Giorgio

October 30th, 2006, 10:12 AM

Whats new?
Mo admiting it?

Mo Rush

October 31st, 2006, 05:37 PM

SA 2010 World Cup to revitalise infrastructure

October 31, 2006,

By Savious Kwinika (CAJ)

Massive investments to upgrade and build new infrastructure ahead of the 2010 soccer World Cup showcase are expected to spark a revival in South Africa's overcrowded and underfunded cities.

In a snap survey this week, several urban planners and South African citizens who spoke to CAJ News hailed the forthcoming world Cup insisting that it has come as a big blessing to the underveloped towns and some sectors of the SA economy.

"There will be a lasting legacy beyond four years from now," Andrew Boraine, chairperson of the South African Cities Network,in a statement in the SA2010 blog. Local commuters, mainly from the capital Tshwane (formerly Pretoria), Cape Town and Johannesburg are set to gain from the construction of efficient public transit routes that move people in and around major cities, including improvements to rail lines, roadways, bus depots, airport terminals, and an improved telephone network.

"The Achilles' heel of our cities is transportation and its reorganisation could have the biggest impact from a cities' perspective," said Boraine. South Africa's infrastructure is one of the best not only in Africa but the rest of the world,but its major urban centres are plagued by traffic congestion and unreliable public transit, and the situation is compoundedby floods of new job-seekers from rural areas and immigrants from all over thw orld who areseeking political and economic refigees statuses in SA.

President Thabo Mbeki has repeatedly said that South Africa will spend R3bn (about US$430 000 000) on improving its sagging public transport system ahead of the World Cup. An estimated 350 000 visitors are expected to attend the 2010 competition, which will see matches played in nine South African cities.

Big city mayors are leveraging the World Cup opportunity, highlighting critical local needs to central government officials and international donors, Boraine said. "A few months ago they were all speaking a different language. The 2010 date is forcing them to work together," he said.

The drive to make South Africa's cities decent places to visit for World Cup tourists will also improve conditions for the poorest urban citizens, many of whom still live in shantytowns without reliable water or electricity services. South Africa already well-developed communications and infrastucture is definitely set to get a further boost from the developments and refurbishments that will be done on existing infrastructure in preparation for the 2010 World Cup.

South Africa’s communication system is well-developed with 5.5 million installed telephones and 4.3 million installed exchange lines. There is an expected massive network and capacity upgrade that is earmarked for the 2010 World Cup by the three mobile traditional operators and these are Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and fixed telephone service provider Telkom.

The SA telephone network is almost entirely digital with digital microwave and fibre optics serving as the main transmission media. Internet access is widely available. State-controlled Telkom is responsible for the installation and maintenance of these facilities. A second fixed line operator is expected to be licensed and operational by the time the 2010 World Cup gets underway.

This is one of the reform measures being undertaken by the government in order to promote empowerment in the industry. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is the regulator of the communications industry while the Department of Communication is the responsible government body.

The communications industry will undergo both extensive and intensive reform and refurbishment so as to be able to cope with pressure that will be exerted by World Cup business. South Africa is the world’s fourth fastest growing GSM market with a growth rate of 50% per annum. The three mobile operators in the country namely; MTN, Cell C and Vodacom seee a lot of potetial business that will be created by the World Cup and have said that they will take up the challenge of upgrading their network capacity in readiness for the magnificient world event.

On the other side, the country’s transport infrastructure is highly-developed with extensive road and rail networks. The government and other key players have already tabled plans to build more railway lines to faciltate the speedy and efficient travel of football fans during this football extravaganza that will be held in South Africa four years down the line.

The Department of Transport is responsible for the upkeep of roads. The proposed national road and rail system is expected to link all major cities by the year 2010. Spoornet controls the rail system ,though Metrorail provides public transport services. The rail system links major centres and is used extensively by heavy industry for freight transport. Electricity and water services are available in all urban areas and most rural areas and Eskom, the electricity company,has pledged to make the whole of South Africa have electricity at the time of the World Cup, although there are still some shortfalls in some rural areas presently.

By Jimmy Phelans, CAJ News Reporter - Johannesburg

Mo Rush

October 31st, 2006, 05:38 PM

2010: Big-screen TVs for cities

By LUBABALO NGCUKANA

SOUTH African soccer supremo Danny Jordaan has trashed any suggestion the soccer World Cup would be taken away from the country, adding that Fifa was deeply committed to make 2010 here a massive success.

Disregarding rumours that the Cup may be moved to Australia or the United States, Jordaan said Fifa’s “Plan A is to have the World Cup in South Africa.

“Plan B is to have the World Cup in South Africa and Plan C is to have the World Cup in South Africa.”

Speaking at the launch of the Friends of the Nelson Mandela Museum initiative in Qunu last week, Jordaan said South Africa as a country had already proved to Fifa it could become a multi-racial democracy, capable of throwing off the shackles of apartheid.

“Fifa said this country must meet two conditions for its return into international soccer,” Jordaan said in a keynote address.

One was that apartheid had to end and the other was that all soccer bodies representing the race groups under white rule needed to be united.

“South Africa met both those conditions and returned to Fifa in 1992.

“You now say to me you can liberate a country but you can’t build stadiums? No, then there is something wrong,” Jordaan said to loud applause.

“There is no way we won’t have the World Cup.”

He said Safa would propose that big screen TVs be erected in every city in South Africa to broadcast the football spectacular.

Turning to South Africa’s biggest sporting inspiration, Nelson Mandela, Jordaan challenged the newly launched Friends of the Nelson Mandela Museum (FNMM) to carry on Madiba’s legacy up to 2010.

“If every South African can be a member of Nelson Mandela’s friendship league, imagine what a wonderful nation we could be by the time 2010 comes,” Jordaan said.

“Post 2010 South Africa must be a significantly better South Africa than pre-2010.”

Jordaan also regaled guests with the story of Madiba’s personal involvement in making sure that South Africa was awarded the 2010 World Cup.

It was up to South Africans now to return with the same perseverance that Madiba had, and make the 2010 World Cup a success, Jordaan said.

Kampflamm

October 31st, 2006, 06:26 PM

Ticketing in Germany was a farce in terms of the measures to make sure tickets weren't sold on, etc. I went to six matches and didn't have any of my tickets checked, wasn't asked for any ID, etc.

But then again, what did you expect? Everybody knew that you can't ask 50,000 people for their ID. The real farce was how the tickets were distributed.

There were many many roadworks problems as we criss-crossed the country. A 90 minute hold up on the way to Stutgart meant that we only just got to the stadium about 2 minutes before kick-off. I assume that the various roadworks were intended to be completed prior to the finals and ran over schedule.

There are really always roadworks going on in Germany. They just completed a project here in Cologne which they must have worked on for a decade...and now they're tearing up a lane again. :nuts:

Mo Rush

October 31st, 2006, 08:29 PM

reen light for Green Point stadium
Cape Town, South Africa
31 October 2006 06:40
Provincial environment and planning authorities have given the go-ahead for Cape Town's R2,5-billion 2010 soccer stadium to be built on the site of the golf course at Green Point.

However, they have set tough conditions to limit noise and light pollution, and reduce its visual impact.

The conditions are contained in a so-called "record of decision" issued on Tuesday afternoon by the Western Cape department of environmental affairs and development planning, in response to an application by the City of Cape Town.

The department said the golf course site was preferable to building on the site of the existing dilapidated Green Point stadium because it would have less visual impact and would be less intrusive on a revitalised Green Point common.

The stadium will provide seating for 68 000 spectators during the 2010 World Cup, and not more than 55 000 after the event.

It will be designed to have three tiers of seating during the tournament. After the event, the upper tier will be removed and that space converted for "multipurpose use".

The department ruled that the stadium building, which together with a surrounding podium will cover about 10,6ha, should be no higher than 50m.

It said noise-mitigation measures had to be incorporated in the design, including a "carefully designed" double-membrane roof.

Internal light sources should be shielded to reduce light spillage and pollution, and the building itself should be colour-coded to reduce visual impact.

The existing dilapidated Green Point stadium will be demolished and that site and the common surrounding it will be transformed into what the city calls a "quality open space and sports complex" accommodating a range of sporting codes.

The city and province on Monday finalised a business plan for Cape Town's preparations for the Cup.

The plan will form the basis for negotiating what portion of the R8,4-billion allocated for 2010 stadium construction nationally will go to Cape Town.

The cost of the stadium has been calculated by the city at R2,49-billion, excluding VAT.

The city has committed R400-million and the province R100-million, leaving a balance of R2-billion, which is being requested from National Treasury. -- Sapa

dysan1

October 31st, 2006, 08:31 PM

have they finished the CT design? cos its the last one we need to see!

Mo Rush

October 31st, 2006, 09:09 PM

MEDIUM TERM BUDGET 2006
Mini-Budget: R15bn for 2010
Shaun Benton

26 October 2006

Almost R15-billion of the proposed R80-billion increase in South African government spending over the next three years will go to 2010 Soccer World Cup major capital projects, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said in his Medium Term Budget speech to Parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday.

According to the Treasury's Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, the balance of R65-billion in proposed additional government spending is targeted mainly at improvements in the criminal justice system, continuing large-scale investments in the built environment, and more investment in human development.

'Fiscal space' for increased spending
On a year-by-year basis, from a budget that proposed R472-billion in spending in February, and taking into account changes from mid-year adjustments, total government spending in the 2006/07 financial year is projected to be R474-billion, up nearly R60-billion - or 14% - over 2005/06, the minister said.

In 2007/08, expenditure on public services will again increase by about R60-billion.

In real terms, the increase in government spending in the current year compared with the previous year is already 9.7%, while spending over the medium term is projected to grow by an average of 7% in real terms.

This rate of increase in government spending is consistently higher than the rate of growth of South Africa's economy, which reached almost 5% in 2005.

"The reason why we can increase spending so rapidly is that we have created the fiscal space to do so," Manuel said, attributing this fiscal space to "decisions taken consistently" over the past 12 years.

2010 World Cup 'well covered'
The R14.9-billion to be spent on preparations for the 2010 tournament is to be split between the building and/or upgrading of 10 stadiums in the nine host cities, on the one hand, and their surrounding infrastructure, with a special focus on transport, on the other.

The key imperatives of improved transport and communications infrastructure, with an efficient and affordable public transport system, have been identified as being probably the single greatest legacy that the event will leave the country.

The 2007 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, which ends in March 2010, "will carry the full costs of government's contribution to preparations for the 2010 Fifa World Cup," with Finance Minister Trevor Manuel saying that 2010 was "well covered" by this.

Breaking down the spending, Manuel said that R5.6-billion would go to the building of five new stadiums, R1.95-billion to the upgrading of five existing stadiums, R586-million for the provision of bulk services to these stadiums, and R5.5-billion for supporting infrastructure, including transport.

In addition to this, there will be further spending by municipalities, the minister said.

The R80-billion in proposed new spending has been boosted by increased tax revenues for the Treasury - largely on the back of a rise in VAT receipts as a result of higher consumer spending in a strong economic environment - of a projected R29.6-billion more than the budgeted amount for 2006/07.

The provinces and municipalities are to receive the largest share of the additional resources, with R28.2-billion going to the provinces and R18.9-billion to local government, with the strengthening of public transport infrastructure and construction of stadiums and related infrastructure taking place at this level.

Treasury to assist municipalities
Manuel said the National Treasury would be providing substantial hands-on support to the country's municipalities to meet the targets set for 2010, which is also being used as a deadline for the government to meet overall service delivery requirements that will allow the sporting event to leave a "durable legacy" for South Africans.

"I don't think we are going to see a successful World Cup if it's all hands-off [on the part of national government]," Manuel said.

Aside from the world cup, Manuel's Mini-Budget contains a strong focus on improvements to the criminal justice system, the expansion of the economy using state-owned enterprises, upgrading the skills of educators and improving the government's capacity to meet its targets.