Soccer chief sets dates for 2010 World Cup

December 07 2006 at 12:13AM

Zurich - Fifa announced on Wednesday that the next World Cup will take place between June 11 and July 11 in 2010, and granted South Africa an automatic berth as the host nation.

Fifa's executive committee decided to maintain the qualifying set-up used at this year's World Cup in Germany, with a berth for the host country plus five other Africa teams, five European region
qualifiers, five Asian and Oceania teams, and a total of eight for South America and the Central American region.

"We didn't change anything," Fifa president Sepp Blatter told journalists, adding that only two members of the committee had voiced objections.

The decision effectively gives Africa one extra team in 2010 and Europe one less, although that regional balance is likely to change again in subsequent World Cup events, officials said.

Africa, minus South Africa, will again combine qualifying for the African Nations Cup from October 2007 with World Cup qualifiers.

Asia's fifth nation in the qualifiers will play off against Oceania's strongest for the final joint berth, and there will be a similar play-off for the last berth in the South America and
CONCACAF region.

Blatter reiterated concern at the lack of progress on building work for new stadiums in South Africa, despite assurances from the chief executive of the 2010 organisers, Danny Jordaan, that it would start in the first quarter of 2007.

"We have not fixed a deadline now but we have said that they should bring a little bit of fire to the preparations," Blatter told journalists. "We trust South Africa."

Jordaan, who attended the Fifa meeting, said construction work in the five venues - Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg's
Ellis Park, Pretoria and Rustenburg - which will be used for the 2009 Confederations Cup must be finished by December 2008.

The remaining stadiums must be ready by October 2007, Jordaan told journalists. - Sapa-AFP

Even though winter is not as bad as before, but just hosting it in winter its a turn off. But what can we say lets just be happy that it will be in our country.


Is Durban green during winter, I know that Joburg, Pretoria and Rusternburg are brown. Rib, what about Polokwane and Nelspuit, do they stay green even in winter?

The cities that have less chance experiencing coldness is Polokwane and Durban

Just read it in the paper today, 11 June to 11 July, when is winter at its worst in the Northern regions?

The weather in Durban is perfect then. Will coincide with the Beach Africa festival. This year's daytime average for that period was about 22-24 celcius, low humidity. Basically, perfect conditions. Of course, given Durban's record of rain during major events, it will probably be great weather for all days except for rain on match days. Sigh!

2010 is getting some pretty bad press recently here in the middle east, loads of articles on crime, grime, overspending on white elephant stadiums etc.
seem we are in for another 4 years of this

Maybe if Danny Jordaan and co actually pitched up at press meetings the foreign media would have something positive to report on. I'm totally unimpressed with the local organising committee thus far!

2010 is getting some pretty bad press recently here in the middle east, loads of articles on crime, grime, overspending on white elephant stadiums etc.
seem we are in for another 4 years of this

Most of the bad press is our own doing and could have been prevented by a more effective communications/PR dept. or maybe even a decent website instead of people scrambling around digging for information.

Hey, news just out is that Durbs has secured the scoop of unveiling the prelim 2010 draw! Lots of media attention coming Durban's way...

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

Six African nations for 2010

7 December 2006

The dates for the 2010 Football World Cup have been set for 11 June to 11 July, and the allocation of places will be the same as for 2006, meaning that - with South Africa granted an automatic berth as the host country - Africa will have one extra team at the tournament.

In a statement issued on Wednesday following a two-day meeting in Zurich, Fifa's executive committee said that 32 teams would contest the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Thirteen of these will be from Europe, five from Asia and Oceania, eight from South America and the Concacaf region (North and Central America and the Caribbean), and five from Africa, plus the automatic spot granted to South Africa.

This effectively gives Africa six teams at 2010 - and Europe one less than in 2006.

Of the eight places for South America and the Concacaf region, four are guaranteed to South American countries and three to Concacaf countries. The eighth spot will be decided by a play-off between the fifth-placed South American country in the 2010 qualifiers and the fourth-placed Concacaf country.

A similar play-off between the Oceania champion and Asia's fifth-best team will decide who takes the fifth berth for Asia and Oceania.

Fifa said the preliminary draw for 2010 would be held in Durban on 23 November 2007, and that the Fifa Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 would take place in the five venues of Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg (Ellis Park), Pretoria and Rustenburg from 14 to 27 June.

The Fifa Confederations Cup is contested by the winners of each of the six Fifa confederation championships - ie the reigning African, Asian, European, Oceanian, South American and Concacaf champions - along with the Fifa World Cup champion and the host country, to bring the number of teams up to eight.

Fifa said it had "listened with satisfaction" to a report on the status of South Africa's preparations for 2010, and "underlined its support for the local organising committee.

"However, the executive committee stated that it was now expecting work to begin, particularly on constructing and renovating the stadiums."

Plans for the construction of four stadiums and upgrading of six others in South Africa's nine 2010 host cities has been completed, and their funding secured, and construction work is due to begin early in 2007.

SouthAfrica.info reporter

http://www.southafrica.info/what_happening/sports/2010-071206.htm

^^ Goods news for Durbs. But I still think it's crazy the city isn't getting to be part of the Confederations Cup!

Publisher of Engineering News, Mining Weekly and Polity
New R797m world-class Polokwane stadium
Polokwane municipality is in the process of selecting a contractor to build the new Peter Mokaba stadium, which will be one of the venues of the 2010 soccer World Cup. “We advertised a tender a while ago and we are now in the process of selecting a suitable contractor,” says communications manager Simon Mokoatedi, adding that the winning bidder will be announced in mid-January. Construction will begin at the end of January.

Among other features, the new stadium will boast 45 000 seats, a 500-seat VIP area with its own entrance, seats for 1 675 media representatives, 200 TV positions, an 800-m2 VIP reception area and lounge, offices and storage areas, and parking for players and officials.

Mokoatedi says that the municipality decided against refurbishing and upgrading the existing 15 000-capacity Peter Mokaba stadium and opted to build the new R797-million facility just 500 m from the old stadium mainly for financial reasons.

The municipality says that it was going to cost more to demolish the old stadium than to build a new one.

“It was also going to be time-consuming and would mean that we would not have any venue for the coming 36 months, and it was against this backdrop that we decided to build a new world-class stadium,’’ says Mokoatedi.

But this does not mean that the old sta-dium will be dis- carded. “Peter Mokaba has some of the best facili-ties, which will not be in the new stadium,” he says. The old stadium will be used as a training ground for the World Cup soccer teams based in Lim-popo and will be part of the Peter Mokaba sports complex.

“The problem is that the old stadium does not comply with the requirements to host World Cup matches. But it has one of the best athletic tracks in the country; hence, we will not touch it.” The new stadium will be designed to suit both soccer and rugby. The new stadium will retain the name Peter Mokaba.

Local Organising Committee (LOC) CE Danny Jordaan is on record as saying Polokwane is not the only municipality which has since changed what it presented in the bid book.

He said places like Cape Town, which had Newlands stadium in the bid book, will also build a new stadium, while Port Elizabeth has also decided against refurbishing Telkom Park.

Jordaan added that Durban had Kings Park in the bid book but has since changed to King Senzangakhona stadium.

He said all the LOC was inter-ested in was to see construction completed before the World Cup.

Jordaan also justified the exclu-sion of bigger venues like the FNB stadium from hosting the 2009 Confederations Cup.

He said the reason was that it would take much longer to refur-bish them and they would not be ready by 2009.
E-mail the article: E-mail the article to somebody
Published: 2006/12/08 Printer friendly: View this article in a printer friendly format
B2B Coupon No: EN08-12-2006E98465
Author: Ollie Madlala
Portfolio: Senior Staff Writer
E-mail: newsdesk@engineeringnews.co.za

Even though winter is not as bad as before, but just hosting it in winter its a turn off. But what can we say lets just be happy that it will be in our country.


Is Durban green during winter, I know that Joburg, Pretoria and Rusternburg are brown. Rib, what about Polokwane and Nelspuit, do they stay green even in winter?

The cities that have less chance experiencing coldness is Polokwane and Durban

I don't know about Nelspruit, but in Polokwane it all depends on summer rain... Obviously it's not as green in winter as in spring/summer, but it usually doesn't change that much in Winter. And the area has a natural semi-arid beauty which is kinda cool... ;) The real green belt is further north in the mountains.

In the past two years the city was kinda brown because of a severe drought, but there has been an incredible amount of the rain in the last three months or so, and everything is green again. REALLY pretty at the moment.

If it rains well in 2009, it will be green. If not, we're screwed. :D

Pule, to answer your question, yes, Durbs is green in winter. I don't think the city ever goes yellow or brown. It just gets even greener in summer. One of the advantages of being in a sub-tropical zone /latitude.

Yip...year round greenery here

That means about half of the host cities will be brown.

World Cup cities promise affordable Web access by 2010

The World Cup host cities of Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town claim to be well on the way to meeting their stated target of making affordable Web access available in time for the football spectacular, having already started to roll out public Web and email services.

Accounting for ICT progress at eThekwini, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni regions, a four-panel team told the Connect IT: Joburg 2010 two-day conference, held in Sandton, that the metropolitan areas were looking to make the Internet accessible to all citizens at a reasonable rate of around R150 a month by 2010.

Addressing the conference last month, eThe-kwini metropolitan municipality head of geographic information and policy Jacquie Subban said that the eThekwini metro, which hosts Durban, was building an ICT network that was independent of the electricity, water and CCTV network and that the objective was to make telecommunications of voice and data readily available. She reiterated that bringing telecommunications to households at R150 a month was an achievable target.

The challenge, however, was to harness the private sector to assist in reaching its benchmark.

We want to benefit dedicated portals, such as schools and healthcare, she said, adding that the metro had for the past few years been installing fibre-optic lines at a value of some R6-million a year.

Subban also reported that the eThekwini metro had, since last year, started installing an active layer of fibre-optic cable.

“We are expecting broadband and the likes of hotspots to be the norm in the city by 2010,” she said.

Ekurhuleni executive director for ICT Nilesh Singh said that while Ekurhuleni was not a host city, it was, nevertheless, working to assist its sister city Johannesburg in rolling out ICT.

“We have the largest IP telephony in the country,” he said, adding that in the last month the metro had installed1 500 km of fibre-optic cables.

http://www.miningweekly.co.za/min/news/it/?show=98375

World Cup 1Wetland 0

Yolandi Groenewald

08 December 2006 11:59

A wetland has been bulldozed in Nelspruit as part of plans to construct a new stadium for the 2010 soccer World Cup.

The wetland was not bulldozed to make way for the Mbombela stadium itself but for a school that will have to be temporarily relocated because it is currently on the site where the stadium will be built.
A wetland has been bulldozed in Nelspruit as part of plans to construct a new stadium for the 2010 soccer World Cup.

The wetland was not bulldozed to make way for the Mbombela stadium itself but for a school that will have to be temporarily relocated because it is currently on the site where the stadium will be built. No environmental impact assessment was done before the bulldozers moved into the wetland.

The stadium, one of 10 venues in South Africa planned for 2010, will seat 45 000 spectators. Located on open land 6km west of Nelspruit, the stadium will be the centrepiece of a proposed sports and conference precinct, with a panoramic view over the city. Construction is due to start next year.

The department of public works in the province is handling the relocation of the school. But spokesperson Ina Georgala told the Mail & Guardian that public works only did what its client, the Mpumalanga department of education, had requested it to do.

The provincial education department said the land to which the school will be relocated was donated by the Mdhluli family, which also owns the land where the stadium will be built. “The site was identified by the municipality in collaboration with the members of the Mdhluli Trust and was considered suitable for the building of the school’s temporary classes,” Hlanhla Ngwenya, the spokesperson for the education department said.

He said there has been no report to suggest that the area cannot be used, “hence the project is in progress”.

Freddy Ngobe from the Mpumalanga department of agriculture and land administration, which handles provincial environmental issues, disagrees. He confirmed that no EIA had been completed when the wetland was bulldozed.

“Yes, a portion of a wetland was bulldozed before the record of decision [permission to proceed after an EIA has been done] was issued,” he said. He added that a record of decision was subsequently issued for the stadium site after an official in the department had queried the initial go-ahead.

According to an official inside the environmental department, in order to get a record of decision, a hasty EIA was conducted.

Ngobe said the municipal council in Nelspruit indicated to the department of public works that the site was suitable for the relocation of the school.

The department of environmental affairs is now preparing to fine the municipal council as the custodian of the land.

But Vusi Sibaya, the spokesperson for the committee in charge of the municipality’s World Cup projects, denies that the relocation of the school was being facilitated by the municipality, adding that the Mbhuli Trust had donated the land.

Ngobe said that plans to rehabilitate the wetland after the school has been moved to a permanent location have been included in the new environmental management plan which his department demanded after it became aware that the wetland had been bulldozed.

“A number of meetings have been held between the council, the ecological consultant, and the departments of education and public works to ensure that this does not recur,” he said. “A precinct plan for the stadium has been commissioned by the council and this plan will address environmental issues. A record of decision for the stadium itself has been issued and the conditions in the RoD will be monitored to ensure compliance.”

The Mbombela stadium is not the only project that is struggling with environmental issues. This week, Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile threatened to retract Cape Town’s status as host city if worried citizens did not back down about special interest concerns that are holding up the construction of the Greenpoint Stadium. The Western Cape environmental authorities have received 19 appeals against the construction of the stadium.

The 2010 local organising committee did not respond to questions from the M&G.

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=292726&area=/insight/insight__national/

It's certainly been a while since I ventured into the South African threads. I came cause I also had been hearing a lot of concerns regarding the World Cup, so I wanted to see what was being said here in this forum about it. What kinds of measures are being taken to safeguard against some ofthe concerns? i.e. infrastructure, safety, etc. Is there a thread or site with all of this? Also, has there been, or is there expected to be a lot of investment in the country preceding and following the Cup? I'm specifically interested in Cape Town.

It's certainly been a while since I ventured into the South African threads. I came cause I also had been hearing a lot of concerns regarding the World Cup, so I wanted to see what was being said here in this forum about it. What kinds of measures are being taken to safeguard against some ofthe concerns? i.e. infrastructure, safety, etc. Is there a thread or site with all of this? Also, has there been, or is there expected to be a lot of investment in the country preceding and following the Cup? I'm specifically interested in Cape Town.

With regards to Cape Town the planning has all taken place, however there is some opposition from some residents in the area surrounding the stadium. Construction is planned to go ahead in February 2007.As far as investments go, there will be quite signifcant investments. It it estimate that for CT alone the 2010 related investment is around R10.5 billion. this includes significant transport investments. The V&A waterfront which is located almost adjacent to the planned CT 2010 stadium was recently bought for $1 billion dollars and already sees 22 million visitors a year, another $1billion will be spent before 2010 to link the waterfront to the stadium and to imrpove the entire waterfront with cruise ship terminals, walkways, and other infrastructure.

This is a very vague answer, anything specific?

As for crime, I am certain that effective security will be in place during the World Cup. CT crime in the CBD is quite low.

The international concerns are mainly around the construction which will start in January 2007 for most stadia. Ill provide you with links to CT information.

www.enviropartnership.co.za- All info relating to the plans for CT's 2010 stadium

www.greenpointcommon.com - See image gallery for a conceptual design for CT's stadium

www.capetown.gov.za- click on the 2010 world cup link- there you will find the CT 2010 business plan.

Ill provide a more detailed answer, and im sure that the other forumers have something to add.

See:http://www.southafrica.info/2010/minibudget2006a.htm
For the Gvt investment in 2010. Cities will also invest, the R15bn figure is purely the national gvt investment.

Also see www.southafrica.info for all 2010 related information. There should be links on the site guiding you to find more information.

Final match was played yesterday between Chiefs and Pirates before construction begins.

http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379432.jpg

Some stadium info:

FNB Stadium Johannesburg

Location Johannesburg, South Africa
Type of structure Integrated Membrane-roof-façade Structure around stadium
Owner/Client South African Football Association

Expected completion 2009
Architect Boogertman Urban Edge and Partners, Johannesburg
Cooperation PDNA, Johannesburg

Cantilever Roof clad with upper and lower membrane. Radial trusses fixed to spatial ring truss on 28 supports. Stadium totally enveloped by façade create a unique overall shape. Façade beams are also fixed to spatial ring truss.

Diameter 320 m
Cantilever 36 m
Height 40 m above field
Membrane area Upper membrane and polycarbonate 27.000 m², lower membrane 27.000 m², façade 41.000 m²

ellis park
http://static.flickr.com/109/314870064_3da60dd16e.jpg?v=0

rustenburg
http://static.flickr.com/119/314282639_8cd1d2e4ab.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/121/314282637_546b548a2c.jpg?v=0

Final match was played yesterday between Chiefs and Pirates before construction begins.

http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379432.jpg

Some stadium info:

FNB Stadium Johannesburg

Location Johannesburg, South Africa
Type of structure Integrated Membrane-roof-façade Structure around stadium
Owner/Client South African Football Association

Expected completion 2009
Architect Boogertman Urban Edge and Partners, Johannesburg
Cooperation PDNA, Johannesburg

Cantilever Roof clad with upper and lower membrane. Radial trusses fixed to spatial ring truss on 28 supports. Stadium totally enveloped by façade create a unique overall shape. Façade beams are also fixed to spatial ring truss.

Diameter 320 m
Cantilever 36 m
Height 40 m above field
Membrane area Upper membrane and polycarbonate 27.000 m², lower membrane 27.000 m², façade 41.000 m²

what will the capacity be when this is finalised?

THe game between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates was a killer. It ended up being a 1-1 draw. Chiefs score in 93:37 secs, that was 3 seconds away from the final whistle.

what will the capacity be when this is finalised?

Well its meant to be 104,000 which is reasonable considering current capacity is 70,000 however newspapers indicated that 80,000 attended the kaizer chiefs match. Adding an entire extra tier should see the capacity reach 100,000 easily.
Consdering R1.6billion will be spent, a capacity including media, security, VIP's could reach 110,000. Seating capacity will def reach the 100,000 mark at least.

South Africa: Cup Host Cities See Red

Business Day (Johannesburg)

December 9, 2006
Posted to the web December 10, 2006

Mark Glleeson
Johannesburg

DURBAN has already won the first skirmish in the battle of the cities over the 2010 World Cup finals.

The coastal city gets to host the first formal event of the tournament, namely the draw for the qualifying tournament, which is set to take place on November 23 next year.

Cape Town had been the favourite for the prestige event, which will mark the formal start of the build-up to the finals, but the Mother City is now battling to keep its profile in the 2010 portfolio in the wake of threats to take planned matches away from the province. Cape Town's wrangle over its stadium is continuing, with legal action possible from concerned residents who want to ensure spaces are kept open on the Green Point Common, where the stadium is planned.

It is the latest snafu in a continuing saga that is all of the city's own making.

Newlands was supposed to be the venue for the city in 2010 and was touted as such in all the bidding documentation, but once the 2010 event was awarded to SA, the political machinations began and have been spinning out of control ever since.

As a traditional rugby venue, Newlands has now been spurned, in spite of the fact that it received rave reviews as a potential World Cup venue when football association Fifa inspected it in the middle of last year.

With the stands close to the action and the viewing almost perfect from every vantage point, Newlands is characteristic of the new-style football stadiums that Fifa encourages, with fans as close to the action as possible and the atmosphere subsequently electric.

The cost of renovations to the stadium was also estimated at no more than R50m, substantially cheaper than the more than R1bn for the new stadium.

The Athlone stadium was touted by Cape Town as its World Cup alternative, but rejected out of hand by Fifa's director of competitions, Jim Brown, when he visited the venue.

Then began the debate over a new venue, culminating in plans for one at Green Point, including areas around the existing stadium and a municipal golf course. By the time Cape Town's new mayor, Helen Zille, took power after the recent municipal elections, Green Point's plans were up and running, but she balked at the price and ran into a further storm.

After Zille's ruffled feathers had been stroked back into place and her objections had been withdrawn, and after government had finally agreed to foot the vast majority of the bill, the residents' association emerged with concerns.

A legal challenge would certainly delay the start of construction and leave Cape Town pressed for time if it doesn't get building started as soon as possible after the new year.

The residents' association's action has come with threats of dire consequences.

Says Zille: "The entire World Cup plan is based on a semifinal at Green Point. We cannot unilaterally change this plan.

"It would be a great pity if it were derailed by one association."

However, it is not yet a certainty that there will be a court case.

It would seem the residents want to use the time pressure as a lever to get guarantees on other parts of the common, the green belt near the city centre held sacred by its citizens.

Green Point Common Association chairman David Polovin suggests that it is "trying to find middle ground".

"Our interest is not the stadium but the common, and it is possible to talk on the issues," he says.

And there is bound to be a hangover shortly after the final whistle blows.

"It's more or less unavoidable," says Tony Twine, senior economist at the Econometrix consultancy group in Johannesburg. "We are the smallest economy to host a modern World Cup tournament."

While SA's economy may be the largest on the continent, it is just a fraction of the size of countries such as this year's host, Germany, and Japan and South Korea, which co-hosted the 2002 edition.

Five stadiums are due to be built from scratch and another five are set to undergo major revamps.

While the initial calculations put the cost at R2bn, that estimate has since ballooned to R8,4bn. As the size of the sums involved begin to sink in, host cities are for the first time beginning to question the advantages of what they once regarded as a privilege, fearing that they will be left with white elephants once the crowds have left.

Durban is likely to stage one of the two semifinals in the 70000-seater King Senzangakhona stadium. But as the local football team, Amazulu FC, pulls in no more than 10000 supporters on an average match day, that is likely to be the last time that the soon-to-be built arena sells out.

According to Brian van Zyl, the CE of Durban's Natal Sharks rugby team, the city simply cannot afford the cost of the stadium.

"Personally, I believe it's a mistake. It's not viable.

"The World Cup is coming to SA, but it will be here for only a few weeks."

http://allafrica.com/stories/200612100014.html

surely it will be a lower capacity for the WC tho as they never allow the stadiums to reach max capacity... so somewhere in the 90 000's surely?

Well its meant to be 104,000 which is reasonable considering current capacity is 70,000 however newspapers indicated that 80,000 attended the kaizer chiefs match. Adding an entire extra tier should see the capacity reach 100,000 easily.
Consdering R1.6billion will be spent, a capacity including media, security, VIP's could reach 110,000. Seating capacity will def reach the 100,000 mark at least.


I agree with you Mo, the stadium will carry about 104 000 meaning it will beat the 100 000 mark.

SAFA House is aboout 90% complete gents. Its beutifl, I like it and will take pics and send them to you.

There was a news insert today about the Mbombela stadium. The renders look pleasing and are much better than the initial renders in the bid book. The renders on TV were the same as the ones posted on SSC. Updates soon.

Please try and watch the news insert as well.

http://www.sabcnews.co.za/video_ram/0,1573,42805,00.ram

Construction of 2010 Mbombela Stadium underway
December 11, 2006, 18:30

It has been 31 months since South Africa won the right to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup and finally a sod has been turned for the building process to commence on a stadium for the global showpiece.

Construction work on the 43 500 seater Mbombela Stadium outside Nelspruit will start in earnest early next year. Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, said: "We trust South Africa, and ask them now, Danny, can you take a few spades and pickaxes that we have here, so holes can start being dug and so stadiums can start to rise." But his call has been answered, soon earthworks will begin at the site for the R920 million sports facility set to be ready for use early in 2009.

Danny Jordaan says next year they will see the construction beginning and will monitor the project over the next two years to make sure that Nelspruit is ready in 2010. But it is not expected to be a smooth ride. A shortage of cement and other building material could slow the process, but the people of Mpumalanga will strive to deliver on their 2010 promise.

Huge economic spin-offs for Mpumalanga
Joe Phaahla, the director general of the department of sport and recreation, says the funding is available. The Mbombela Stadium could host up to four first-round matches during the World Cup which will have huge economic spin-offs for the region.

There will be ten in nine host cities. Apart from Mbombela, three other new stadia will be built.The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in PE, King Senzanga-khona Stadium in Durban, and a new Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town. A legal wrangle could delay the start of construction of the Green Point stadium.

The remaining six will be upgraded or improved. They are in Rustenburg, Bloemfontein, Tshwane, Polokwane and two in Johannesburg. Five of the venues must be ready for the 2009 Confederation's
Cup.

Bloemfontein

Free State Stadium

The upgrade of the Free State stadium (Vodacom Park) in the Mangaung municipality has been awarded to the BKS-Iliso Consortium.

Iliso will mainly be involved in the civil engineering work of the project, while BKS is the structuralconstruction engineer.

“The project is currently in its conceptual design phase, and we plan to start the construction phase by July 2007,” says BKS technical director Gert Fourie.

At this stage, the construction cost is R245-million.

The current 38 000-seat capacitywill be upgraded to accommodate 45 000 people by extending theexisting grand stand.

The construction period isestimated to take 14 months, which means the upgrade will be complete by mid-2008.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/dynamicimage/12981.png

Bloemfontein

Free State Stadium

The upgrade of the Free State stadium (Vodacom Park) in the Mangaung municipality has been awarded to the BKS-Iliso Consortium.

Iliso will mainly be involved in the civil engineering work of the project, while BKS is the structuralconstruction engineer.

“The project is currently in its conceptual design phase, and we plan to start the construction phase by July 2007,” says BKS technical director Gert Fourie.

At this stage, the construction cost is R245-million.

The current 38 000-seat capacitywill be upgraded to accommodate 45 000 people by extending theexisting grand stand.

The construction period isestimated to take 14 months, which means the upgrade will be complete by mid-2008.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/dynamicimage/12981.png

Hi Mo, the leaf like stand on the right side of the stadium, is that a new structure as per the upgrade?

They listened to me, :D Im telling you theres a spy on SSC, that exactly what I was thinking, instead of carrying on with the boring pattern, make the grand stand bold but at the same time, it must not look out of place.

Building due to start after Soccer City deal
Sheena Adams
December 12 2006 at 08:11AM

The City of Johannesburg has taken ownership of Soccer City, paving the way for the R1,5-billion upgrade of the stadium.

The stadium, which will look like a calabash when complete, is a key venue for the 2010 World Cup, earmarked to host both the opening and final matches.

According to Soccer City general manager Dennis Mumble, a transfer agreement was recently signed between current owners, the Stadia and Soccer Development Trust, and the city.

However, a long-term lease agreement between the city and the South African Football Association is still under negotiation, Mumble said on Monday.

"The issue has been resolved, and although it is premature to make a full formal announcement, the ownership of the stadium has been transferred to the state, so it becomes public property now.

"First National Bank (the stadium sponsors) will not be affected as the operation of the stadium will still reside with Safa along with the naming rights," Mumble said.

The agreement, which will see the land transferred to the Department of Public Works and the stadium to the city, paves the way for construction to begin on the mammoth refurbishment of the stadium in the new year.

Mumble said the tender for construction closes on December 18 and an announcement of the successful bidder will be made soon after that.

He added that the government would now decide how to handle the major improvements planned for the site and whether the stadium would be transferred to the Department of Public Works or the land to the city.

The brand-new Safa House in the complex, the new home of the 2010 Local Organising Committee, has also been completed.

LOC spokesperson Tumi Makgabo confirmed on Monday that staff would be moving to the new building on Friday.

It has also been announced that progress on the first building project linked to the World Cup is well under way at the site of the old Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

The update from building contractor Grinaker-LTA comes on the heels of a warning by Fifa president Sepp Blatter last week when he offered South Africa the use of "a few shovels and picks" in order to start construction on the six new stadiums and four stadium upgrades.

Grinaker-LTA spokesperson Wendy Zipp said the Orlando Stadium had already been demolished and the company was making good progress with the new 40 000-seater stadium. Although not a match venue, the Soweto stadium will be one of the official training grounds during the tournament.

Zipp added that the new stadium, which is costing R284-million to construct, would boast a contemporary design that would make it|a Soweto landmark.

Contracts director for the project, Marc Meira, told The Star yesterday that the stadium would feature design elements such as smooth, grey concrete, architectural steel and glass. It would have four spiral access ramps, lighted down the middle and suspended from towers, around the building.

The stadium complex would include modern changerooms, undercover VIP parking, a media centre and suites.

Meira added that Grinaker-LTA had committed itself to employing 50 percent of its labour force for the project from the greater Soweto area.


This article was originally published on page 3 of The Star on December 12, 2006

http://iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20061212010240847C651974

But there is still no proper pics or websites for any stadiums yet! thats whats pissing me off

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/1350/matchscheduletl8.jpg

Golf club gives nod to 2010 stadium deal CANDICE BAILEY and |LINDSAY DENTLINGER 13 December, 2006 Cape Argus
Board members of the Metropolitan Golf Club say they have verbally agreed to plans to relocate part of their golf course to another prime property in Mouille Point, but are still waiting to sign a written agreement with the city.

Safa can move into their new home

The South African Football Association announced that Safa House has been completed and is ready for occupation on Wednesday.

However, Safa are reluctant at this stage to take possession of the building without all equipment having been thoroughly tested and an occupation certificate being issued in their favour.

"The contractor confirmed that they will be ready immediately after the builders break to complete the testing of equipment and hand over the building to us," said a statement released by Safa on Wednesday.

Safa House is based in Johannesburg on the premises of the FNB Stadium where the Fifa 2010 World Cup final is scheduled to be held.

The last match played at the stadium was on Saturday in the derby match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

From January, the stadium will be under construction in preparation for the tournament in 2010.

Safa House will house the South African 2010 Local Organising Committee and Fifa representatives until the World Cup. - Sapa

Quickwire

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-12-13 13:32:52
© 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.

Safa can move into their new home

The South African Football Association announced that Safa House has been completed and is ready for occupation on Wednesday.

However, Safa are reluctant at this stage to take possession of the building without all equipment having been thoroughly tested and an occupation certificate being issued in their favour.

"The contractor confirmed that they will be ready immediately after the builders break to complete the testing of equipment and hand over the building to us," said a statement released by Safa on Wednesday.

Safa House is based in Johannesburg on the premises of the FNB Stadium where the Fifa 2010 World Cup final is scheduled to be held.

The last match played at the stadium was on Saturday in the derby match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

From January, the stadium will be under construction in preparation for the tournament in 2010.

Safa House will house the South African 2010 Local Organising Committee and Fifa representatives until the World Cup. - Sapa

Quickwire

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-12-13 13:32:52
© 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.


Its done gents, I saw it.

Golf course agrees to Cape's 2010 deal

By Candice Bailey and Lindsay Dentlinger

Board members of the Metropolitan Golf Club say they have verbally agreed to plans to relocate part of their golf course to another prime property in Mouille Point, but are still waiting to sign a written agreement.

The relocation of the golf course is critical to free the land earmarked for the controversial 68 000-seater stadium in Green Point that will be built for the 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium.

It is planned to start construction in January.

About 60 percent of the popular golf course will be moved to the new site, on the westward side of Fritz Sonnenberg Road, adjacent to Bay Road.

The captain of the Metropolitan Golf Club, Demetri Zitianellis, said on Tuesday that negotiations were in the final stages.

He confirmed that verbal negotiations had been completed 10 days ago when the club was shown the footprint of the proposed new site.

He said their course architect and course committee were happy with negotiations and that they were awaiting the City of Cape Town's final response.

Zitianellis confirmed that the club would withdraw its objection to the construction of the stadium on part of the existing golf course only if the deal was signed. "If we reach a final agreement and we sign the agreements and it is acceptable, sealed and watertight, we will withdraw all objections."

However, another condition of the relocation is that the city compensates or employs the golf club's 30 permanent members while the club is closed, so that it can retain the employees' services later.

Currently, the club spends about R100 000 a month on salaries.

But Zitianellis explained that they were not expecting the city to pay R100 000. "We are asking them to look after our staff."



* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Argus on December 13, 2006

The Argus

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-12-13 14:11:00
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Khoza issues 2010 warning

The World Cup goes on with or without Cape Town - this was the stark warning emanating from chairman Irvin Khoza on Wednesday at a Local Organising Committee media briefing in Johannesburg on the
progress towards the 2010 tournament.

Khoza was commenting on the niggling succession of obstacles that have emerged surrounding the construction of a new stadium for the World Cup which is due to be erected as part of a comprehensive development in the Green Point precinct of Cape Town - with the latest such obstruction a threat from the Green Point Residents Association to take the matter to court if certain conditions surrounding the project are not met.

"The World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for South Africa and a momentous task to bring to fruition, with the whole operation required to be carried out like clockwork," said Khoza, "and even a delay of two or three weeks in our timetable of events could be critical,let alone a lengthy wait over the outcome of court proceedings.

"Naturally we hope all the difficulties in Cape Town will be ironed out timeously," added the LOC chairman, "but we are not dragging our heels while getting into protracted arguments over the Cape Town stadium."

A more conciliatory approach was taken by CEO Danny Jordaan, who pointed out that Cape Town municipal authorities had now accepted in entirety the proposals for the new Cape Town Stadium.

"Ultimately," he added, "the stadium and its implications concern every resident of Cape Town and I cannot see the city rejecting a two-billion rand grant from the government towards overall costs if the project turns out to be still-born."

Ironically, in the circumstances, Khoza scoffed at the allegations of serious disagreements between himself and Jordaan over World Cup planning and said they were bonded together to ensure the success of the 2010 tournament.

"If there is any serious tension between us," he joked in a manner that recalled the old maxim about many a true word being spoken in jest, "they will only surface in 2011."

Khoza and Jordaan were in more obvious accord over initial planning for 2010, which they described as "encouraging in all aspects - and ahead of time."

It was confirmed that the preliminary draw for the 2010 World Cup would take place in Durban on November 23 next year, with up to 3 500 delegates and other visitors from 200 competing nations in attendance.

Khoza said the LOC's preparation towards 2010 had been approved in its entirety by Fifa at a meeting in Zurich last week - and Jordaan said Africa had achieved a major coup in the decision by the executive to grant the continent six of the 32 team positions at the next World Cup to African teams for the first time.

South Africa qualify automatically as hosts and what was described as "a mad scramble" will ensue among the 50 other nations for five places. - Sapa

Quickwire

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-12-13 16:22:38
© 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.

I cannot see why the government has to tip toe around these arrogant, self centric residents, who annexed those grounds because of their ancestory in the first place. They should shut up or move out. Same goes for the elitist golf course. I say, just take the ground you need, and built whatever is needed.

Eish, thats scary for CT, they really fucking things up BIG TIME for them selves. Not hosting a semi could be like shooting them self in the foot with a nuclear warhead!

Soccer fans assured of safety in 2010

By Sheena Adams and Sapa

The government has told soccer fans across the world that their safety in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup was guaranteed.

"We guarantee the safety and security of all the fans and teams that will be participating in the 2010 soccer event," Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi said on Wednesday.

Addressing the media in Pretoria, Moleketi said there would be 192 000 police officers in the country by 2009, and that of these, 30 000 would be attached to the soccer event.

'Kiss the World Cup goodbye'
Some of the security plans unveiled during the briefing included ensuring a 24-hour presence at all hotels, places and routes to be used by soccer fans.

The government has set aside R15-billion for infrastructure development ahead of the tournament. About R8,4-billion will be used for refurbishment of stadiums.

Meanwhile, Cape Town can "kiss the World Cup goodbye" - along with a R2-billion cash injection - if construction has not begun on the new stadium in Green Point come January.

This was the stern-faced warning from Irvin Khoza, chairperson of the 2010 local organising committee (LOC), at a Sandton press conference yesterday.

"If the delay is even two or three weeks, they are out," Khoza said.

The threat is the strongest indication yet that if the city fails to ensure that construction begins on January 25, the Mother City will not be hosting any World Cup matches.

Cape Town has already been allocated a space for a semifinal match.

The problem hinges on a threat of legal action against the city by the Green Point Common Association, an organisation of residents that has objected to the stadium on the grounds that it would encroach on the last remaining green space in the city.

The City of Cape Town has reacted to Khoza's warning with surprise, saying it was of the opinion that it had until April to get its house in order.

Khoza said that while the LOC acknowledged the hard work being done by the city government to deal with objections to the stadium, any delays would embarrass the country and could not be afforded.

"I want to reiterate categorically that the LOC will not tolerate any delays. If there are any more delays in Cape Town, they are out," Khoza explained.

LOC chief executive Danny Jordaan met with Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille and other city officials on Tuesday and said he had sensed a "real commitment" to resolving the impasse with the objectors.

An environmental impact assessment had already been completed on the site and the area had been rezoned to make way for a new stadium, he said.

Western Cape MEC for Environment, Planning and Economic Development Tasneem Essop now sits with the headache of dealing with a final round of objections to the construction. Jordaan said she would have until December 22 to consider the objections and express her views.

"Also, clearly Cape Town is aware of the R2-billion we are going to give them for the stadium. If it is not going to be a venue, there is no reason to give Cape Town the R2-billion," Jordaan said.

Khoza also announced yesterday that Durban had been chosen as host city for the Cup's preliminary draw next November. The six-day event will be held at the city's International Convention Centre.

He said the board had also approved the creation of the post of chief operating officer for the LOC, which would be finalised early next year.

* This article was originally published on page 2 of The Star on December 14, 2006

Star

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-12-14 08:18:00
© 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.

First of all, I think Cape Town will resolve the legal issues, and the stadium will be built.

But even if it isn't, and even if Cape Town doesn't host a single World Cup match, the city will be doing fine. Long before SA was chosen to host the World Cup, the city received tens of thousands of tourists (particularly ones from high-income, non-African countries). The visitors continue to come, and they'll continue to come even without the World Cup. When most Americans and Europeans think of South Africa, they think of game reserves and the Cape. Trust me, the tourists will come to Cape Town regardless of the World Cup.

2010 is just icing on the cake for Cape Town, but for other South African cities (Pietersburg, Nelspruit, etc.), 2010 is the cake. Obviously Cape Town wants the icing, but not getting the icing won't be the end of the world.

But I still say some compromise will be reached. (And it won't involve any silly land confiscations - THAT would be the real disaster. Steal land to build major projects, and all of a sudden the New South Africa looks little better than Mugabe's Zimbabwe or the Old South Africa.)

I thought the land ear-marked for the Greenpoint stadium already belongs to the government under the Cape Town municipality. So there isn't anything that they have to "steal", or am i missing something? The issues as i understood are simply objections from residents on the basis of environmental preservation issues which is normal for most large scale projects (done by private or public sector) of this nature that have a significant environmental impact. Or is it simply wanting to sensationalize this into a "land grab" which the SA media really would be dying to report on. :(

Regarding the impact if Cape Town loses 2010, i am sure there isn't going to be much that will change with regard to its tourism growth potential , but i think it will be missing a really big opportunity, one that i would imagine if quantified, no city would even contemplate to lose.

I don't think there's any danger of this turning into a land grab. Harker mentioned taking the land, but that's neither wise nor necessary. If SA engaged in any kind of land grab, imagine the outcry. SA would be seen as being on its way to being the next Zimbabwe. A lang grab isn't wise, and I mentioned it only to counteract Harker's comments.

It isn't necessary because the land is owned by the city, as you stated. Also, the land users (golf club) agreed recently to relocate several holes that occupy the hoped-for-stadium site. So there's no real debate as to ownership of the land, and whatever angst the golf club members feel about the project is immaterial now, because they've agreed to relocate.

The problems, as you correctly point out, come from the landowners and tenants surrounding the stadium stie. They're worried about the impact the stadium will have on their quality of life and property values.

Obviously Cape Town stands to make money off hosting World Cup matches. But like I said, that's icing on the city's already large cake. Losing the World Cup matches would be a slap in the city's face, but Cape Town tourism will do just fine - but not as fine as it would do with the World Cup.

I don't think there's any danger of this turning into a land grab. Harker mentioned taking the land, but that's neither wise nor necessary. If SA engaged in any kind of land grab, imagine the outcry. SA would be seen as being on its way to being the next Zimbabwe. A lang grab isn't wise, and I mentioned it only to counteract Harker's comments.

It isn't necessary because the land is owned by the city, as you stated. Also, the land users (golf club) agreed recently to relocate several holes that occupy the hoped-for-stadium site. So there's no real debate as to ownership of the land, and whatever angst the golf club members feel about the project is immaterial now, because they've agreed to relocate.

The problems, as you correctly point out, come from the landowners and tenants surrounding the stadium stie. They're worried about the impact the stadium will have on their quality of life and property values.

Obviously Cape Town stands to make money off hosting World Cup matches. But like I said, that's icing on the city's already large cake. Losing the World Cup matches would be a slap in the city's face, but Cape Town tourism will do just fine - but not as fine as it would do with the World Cup.

I don't think we can quantify the mega benefits of a world cup to cape town. As much as its going to cost the city, its also going to put CT on another level. Cape Town certainly won't be excluded from the World Cup, over the next three years we are going to see billions and billions being invested in the city whether world cup related (R11 billion), or simply the transport investments (R3billion) or even simply the city beautification and construction of hotels and accommodation.

I have seen the massive amounts of planning that have gone into World Cup preparations. However, South Africans should not lose sight of the magnitude of this event. Its beyond massive and as one member of FIFA described it, an event beyond the imagination. Cape Town's world cup preparations are highly detailed and have the input from local and international experts. From what I've seen so far its definitely heading towards its goal of being the party capital during 2010, with matches from the 1st round until the SF stage. So except for the negotiations with 150 members of GPCA everything is set. CT will be under major pressure during the World Cup and so will every other city.

Cape Town might not get some of the infrastructure developments, that's true. And obviously it wouldn't get the new stadium. And the people who would otherwise attend the matches in CPT obviously won't attend them in CPT. But I predict confidently that many of the World Cup tourists will go to CPT, even without the matches. Why? Because, as I said earlier, it's one of South Africa's icons. It's one of THE REASONS why tourists go to SA. If a new stadium isn't built, then CPT is no worse off than it is today, and is still much better off than almost every other city in SA.

All I'm trying to say is that losing the World Cup isn't a nightmare for CPT. It's a lost opportunity, nothing more. There's no denying that it's a big opportunity. But there's no denying that Cape Town can weather that lost opportunity much better than the rest of South Africa.

Trust me, folks, I'm complimenting Cape Town!

But, again, the stadium will be built. This is just brinkmanship by the Green Point residents. It happens all over the world. They have a legitimate gripe (you'd feel the same way if you lived next door to what is today a park and what could 'tomorrow' be a giant stadium), but they'll get concessions from the stadium planners/designers, and the thing will be built just in time. The only way it won't be built is if the residents get no concessions, press ahead with legal action, and an expedited court schedule cannot be arranged. But surely there are judicial processes in SA for such disputes when time is so crucial. I still say that the governments involved in this mess should've resolved all these issues in 2005 at the latest, but that's water under the bridge at this point.

I think what ur missing is that the residents are worried about the common because it was left to the city as an open public with those strict intentions, for lets be honest the CT inner city does not have much open space (besides mounsides and tops).

While the whole situation is getting very nasty with Mr Khoza basically in totally unflattering terms telling CT to F*off.

It will be terribly embarrassing for the country if CT is knocked out of the tournament.most importantly, if the residents do take it to court they will be looked in legal precedings until 2008. So if they get their day in court it is over. Alot of work needs to take place in the next 2 weeks. This is very serious.

While CT is the main draw city for south african for tourists, u cannot under-estimate the impact the WC will have on the city, like all others. They will lose over R2billion in funding if they dont get the WC and many other projects will never take place. Dont underestimate the serious and financially damaging implications this could have. That is why it needs to be resolved. and like yesterday!!!

What the residents want?

The want a contract that will not allow any more commerical development on the common. Apparently they are not against the stadium. ssuure.
The other part of the common will be the golf course extension, the little space that is left will surely remain as the urban park, but the GPCA want some guarantee on paper that it will remain that way.

As for the common, will it be better after 2010?
Yes, improved green space, apart from the stadium, indoor sports facilities, a new tennis centre, green areas for sports and general recreatoin, majorly improved roads and a new link to the watefront.

As for the residents, the planners and designers have taken into account their concerns every step of the way by minimizing stadium height, spending 500+million plus on an ETFE membrane to reduce noise pollution etc...they have not been ignored, the city has followed due process and consulted with the GPCA at every step, however the GPCA feel a need to make a noise , I believe simply to get attention and feel as if its in their power to decide the fate of the World Cup for CT.

Dysan- i do understand that the residents have a huge say in this, but the city has worked with them all the way, and to be honest they are just being difficult. Ive followed this saga from the start and have actually supported the GPCA in their quest to maintain green space, but they have simply stepped over the line this time. The common will without a doubt be worse off without the new stadium and investment. The common at the moment is awful, not maintained and a disgrace. It will become a world class sporting area, along with parks and sports fields.

Full Article: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/eng/news/thisweek/?show=98909

Portions related to 2010

Dubai World spending $1-billion at Cape Town's Waterfront and introducing expertise that turned Dubai into an iconic city
Africas riviera - As the first stage of development of the Victoria and Alfred (V&A) waterfront in Cape Town gets under way, South Africans are keen to discover what the UK-Dubai buyers are planning and what roll-on benefits the sale may have for the country, and its construction and tourism sectors, in particular.

The waterfront attracts over 22-million people every year. In keeping with the fast-trackapproach, technical planning for the development had already begun two weeks after the transaction had been inked, Spencer says.

Dubai World has indicated that it will spend at least $1-billion on developing ‘Africa’s Riviera’ before the World Cup begins and is considering supporting the initiative by part funding and construction of a new boulevard between the waterfront and the still-to-be-built stadium, Wilson reveals.

This was included in the deal with the V&A’s previous owners – State-owned Transnet and itspension funds – and honours an earlier promise to see that the waterfront facilitates ‘seamlessintegration’ between the Cape Town central business district and the World Cup stadium, which the city announced in November may be built on the Metropolitan golf course on Green Point common, rather than on the site of the existing stadium.

The new stadium, expected to cost at least R2,5-billion, will be within walking distance of thewaterfront.

Atkins, the UK’s largest engineering consultancy – and the world’s third-largest global design firm – has been retained as master planner and is creating and refining drawings in consultation with the ownersand the city.

‘Don’t expect a mini Dubai’
Wilson is quick to stress that the new develop-ment and design will build on and echo the existing themes and style of the waterfront and city.
“We are planning to expand on the architectural style of Cape Town, and not to create a mini Dubai,” he states.

South African Shaun Killa, who heads the architecture department at Atkins Middle East’s Dubaioffice, agrees.“We want to be contextuallysensitive in terms of building heights, existing spatial proportions and building articulation,” he says.

“While we have some exciting ideas for developments, there is no question that we will be usingsimilar design themes and building on what is already there.” That said, Nakheel may tap into its experience in reclamation, with a focus on making best use of the coastline.


Fittingly, Killa, a Cape-tonian himself, was involved in the architectural design of phase one of the waterfront’s construction, before joining Atkins in Dubai.

Two key themes of the upcoming development will be the opening up of more water to the public and the provision of resort hotels with associated residential accommodation. This will also be complemented with more retail and public attractions. The planners are also lookingto reduce the surface parking so that the streets become more pedestrian orientated.

“Having a powerful developer consortium also allows for a lot of opportunities to review the waterfront development as a totality and master-plan for future seamlessintegration into the Cape Town CBD,” says Killa.

“However, we now have the chance to take a step back and look at our opportunities and, as London & Regional, Istithmar, Nakheeland ourselves have experience in developing three-, four-, five- and six-star resort hotels, we are confident that we possess the knowledge to create successful destinations that will keep tourists in Cape Town for longer,” he says.

According to a four-year develop-ment strategy presented last month by Dubai World chair Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool (on an official visit to Dubai),

stageone of the project, starting immediately and continuing over the next six months, will involve landscaping and beautification measures, additional car parking space, commercial facilities and improvements to pedestrian access to the area.

Stage two will “ensure the water-front is one of the highlights of World Cup 2010” and stage three will involve new facilities to consolidate the waterfront’s status as a leading global resort, with potential elements including a new yacht club and further marina development, a cruise ship terminal, a train station and improved connections to the airport, said Bin Sulayem.

At the canal area there will be a gateway, with a ‘mini-Sandton’-type development, made up ofoffices and loft apartments.

In terms of accommodation, there are several developments alreadyin the pipeline, with more almost certainly on the way, as globalhospitality giants eye Africa’spremier property, leisure and retail development.

“We have already had everytop-ten hotel group in the worldapproach us over opportunities at the V&A,” remarks Wilson.

The consortium is looking to build-ing a number of hotel properties, including a 250-bedroom luxury hotel, such as a Four Seasons, and a resort hotel, as Wilson points out that there is, oddly, no resort option in the city.

It will also help to open up more water and beach areas to the public.

Further, Kerzner International, in which Dubai World holds a minor interest, will build a One and Only luxury hotel along the existing apartment strip, Wilson reveals.

On plans for a cruise terminal, he tells Engineering News that this could also have important implications for the city’s World Cup plans, should it be completed by 2010.

“It’s all very well planning toaccommodate an estimated 100 000spectators in hotels and other tradi-tional establishments, but whathappens when the event ends and they all go home? Cruise-liners offer an innovative and very practicalalternative,” he suggests.

Cabinet Out to Ensure 2010 Stadiums are Built

BuaNews (Tshwane)
NEWS
December 14, 2006
Posted to the web December 14, 2006

By Themba Gadebe

Fourteen Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Minister have been appointed to monitor the construction and upgrading of 10 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa stadia.

The decision formed part of the government's efforts to ensure that the stadia for 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa were well-constructed on time to meet FIFA requirements.

The Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers are:
Deputy Minister of Finance Jabu Moleketi will be responsible for Peter Mokaba stadium in Limpopo; Minister of Provincial and Local Government Sydney Mufamadi will focus on the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in North-West.

Minister of Sports and Recreation Makhenkisi Stofile and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe will monitor progress on the construction of Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit, in Mpumalanga.

Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad and Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri will monitor the refurbishment of Mangaung stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State.

Public Works and Safety and Security Ministers Thoko Didiza and Charles Nqakula will supervise the progress in the renovation Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.

The Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria will be under watchful eyes of Deputy Ministers of Sport and Recreation and Public Works Gert Oosthuizen and Ntopile Kganyago, respectively.

The improvement of the Ellis Park will be closely supervised by Transport Minister Jeff Radebe.

The construction of the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth will be monitored by Minister Stofile and Deputy Minister of Communications Roy Padayachie.

The construction of King Senzangakhona stadium in Durban will be monitored by Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba.

Minister Pahad and Deputy Minister Moleketi are to take care of the Green Point stadium in Cape Town.

The Department of Sports and Recreation said in a statement that the duty of the ministers will be to monitor the progress in the construction of the stadia to make sure deadlines and specifications are met.

Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Irvin Khoza on Wednesday praised the government for showing consistency in its support for the work done by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

"The government has supported LOC from 15 May 2004 when South Africa was awarded the right to host the world soccer spectacle," Dr. Khoza said.

The government, he said, had shown positive attitude in that Cabinet ministers have accompanied members of the LOC to attend various meetings since 15 may 2006.

While the majority of South Africans welcome the construction of the stadia which will create jobs for unemployed, a group of people in Cape Town is opposing the reconstruction of the R2, 5 billion Green Point stadium.

This is because the reconstruction of the stadium will affect the existing golf course.

Their objection has been forwarded to the MEC for Environmental Affairs Tasneem Essop, who will respond on December 22

cross-post from Durban thread..

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

Durban Wins the Fight to Stage Draw

Business Day (Johannesburg)

December 14, 2006
Posted to the web December 14, 2006

Mninawa Ntloko
Johannesburg

DURBAN saw off stiff competition from Cape Town to be announced as the hosts of the 2010 Soccer World Cup preliminary draw yesterday.

Cape Town made a strong bid to host the first official event of the 2010 World Cup but the uncertainty caused by possible legal action by residents of Green Point -- the site of a new stadium for the showpiece -- who are opposed to the stadium, is believed to have tipped the scales in favour of Durban.

Danny Jordaan, CEO of the local organising committee, said more than 3500 visitors from 200 countries were expected at the six-day function to be held at Durban's International Convention Centre from November 23 next year.

"This is a major, major event and all the countries of the world will be present to see which qualifying groups they will be drawn into," Jordaan said yesterday.

"Durban knows that the bar has been set very high and they will have to raise it even higher.

"Present will be every single captain of his national team, every single Fifa executive committee member, media and even former players."

Jordaan said the first phase of the preparations was completed in July when SA unveiled the 2010 World Cup tournament logo in Germany.

"Durban will be the next phase, and 2007 will be a major year as we work together towards demonstrating that we will host a world-class event."

Fifa will assume ownership of the area and the football organisation will also host banquets, executive committee meetings, workshops and media briefings.

Jordaan and his chairman, Irvin Khoza, used the announcement of Durban's winning bid to dispel the perception that they cannot stand the sight of each other. The two reportedly disagreed over a World Cup travel contract that was eventually awarded to Connex Travel instead of to Fli-Africa, a company that according to reports is run by a close associate of Khoza.

However, Khoza said it was unfortunate that negative reports about his supposed strained relationship with Jordaan continued to give SA's preparations for the World Cup a bad image.

"If there is any tension between us, I am not aware of it," Khoza said yesterday.

"We have achieved too much to be embroiled in petty issues. We have worked too hard to throw it all away."

Khoza and Jordaan said that the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup would be played from June 14-27 and the 16 matches would be hosted by five cities.

Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Rustenburg will have the privilege of giving the world a preview of what to expect the following year at the World Cup.

The Confederations Cup is usually hosted by the World Cup host nation in the preceding year and is used to test some of the stadiums that will be used in the global showpiece.

Each confederation sends its champions to the eight-team event, with the host nation and reigning World Cup champions completing the field.

Bafana Bafana have qualified as the host nation, while Italy are guaranteed participation as the holders of the World Cup trophy.

Jordaan said they had proposed to Fifa that the eight teams be divided into two groups of four nations each.

According to the organising committee's suggestions, Bafana would be in Group A with Oceania, Asia and the Euro champions. Group B would be headed by world champions Italy, who would compete with the African, Conmebol and the Concacaf champions.

Soccer City -- the centrepiece of the 2010 World Cup -- will not be used in the Confederations Cup as stadium renovations are not expected to be finished by the time the tournament starts.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200612140815.html

i think its more a case of just spreading things around

2010: Mother City may lose R10bn over stadium

By Anél Powell

Cape Town stands to lose more than R10-billion allocated for infrastructure if legal action delays the building of the 68 000-seat stadium that is to be used for a World Cup semifinal.

Laurine Platzky, provincial deputy director-general of governance and integration, said: "We are calculating the (potential) financial loss to Cape Town, but early indications are that more than R10-billion for infrastructure would be lost or delayed.

"There would be less urgency to upgrade infrastructure for Cape Town if it were not hosting such a high-profile event."

Irvin Khoza, chair of the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC), has warned that Cape Town could "kiss the World Cup goodbye" if construction of the stadium - scheduled to begin next month - is delayed by objectors' legal action.

Although the nine host cities have signed agreements with Fifa on hosting World Cup games, the facilities have to be available before it is decided which of these is played where, said Platzky.

It is not yet known if Newlands or Athlone would be assigned quarterfinal games if Cape Town lost the chance to host the semifinal.

Objectors to the construction of the stadium on the Green Point Common argue that the hosting of a quarterfinal, instead of a semifinal event, "would not (represent) a significant lost opportunity" for the city.

Larry Aberman, representing the Mouille Point Ratepayers, said building a stadium on an important piece of open land would be a "complete waste of money".

It would be illogical for the LOC to take all matches away from the city if the stadium was not built, he said. Concern about the potential loss of the games was being "over-dramatised" so it would look as if the objections of a group of "elites" would take the games away from everyone.

Aberman said despite the threat of losing the games, objectors were continuing to consider taking legal action against the city.

Tasneem Essop, MEC for Environment, Planning and Economic Development, has until December 22 to consider about 20 objections that have been lodged against the rezoning of the common.

Platzky said hosting lower-profile games would have financial implications for the city.

"Besides the R2bn for the stadium, the need for an urban park for Green Point would be likely to be reviewed and the urgency in upgrading roads, rail and the airport would be questionable. There may be an impact on funding, which is being fast-tracked for public transport or for the airport-CBD rail link, (with its) being re-prioritised elsewhere."

The loss of the semifinal would dent investor confidence in the city, Platzky said.

Cape Town's profile as a semifinal host city would be a catalyst for the construction of hotels and upgrading of the Waterfront. It would encourage investment by South African and foreign companies in services and expanded businesses.

Platzky said the "impact on leveraging Cape Town as a global city for tourism, trade and investment" should not be underestimated in weighing the merits of hosting a semifinal game.

"All these aspects need to be translated into job- and wealth-creation. The opportunity cost of losing a semi-final has yet to be calculated."

* This article was originally published on page 4 of The Cape Times on December 15, 2006

Cape Times

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-12-15 03:17:00
© 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.

World cup stadium construction 'daunting'

By Sivuyile Mangxamba

The construction of five new stadiums within three years for the 2010 World Cup went beyond any project undertaken in South Africa in recent years.

This was the view of local firm R&J Architects, which won the bid to design the R855-million, 43 000-seater Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit and offer full architectural services from designs to construction drawings and site supervision.

This massive project, said Douglas Roberts, founding member of the company, would boost the skills of the construction industry and its professionals just by the sheer magnitude of the work.

"It's way beyond anything that has happened in South Africa," said project manager Mike Bell.

'There is nothing like this before'
Roberts said that local companies were having to consult experienced experts overseas.

"We are all consulting overseas experts, who are the leading stadium design experts. There is nothing like this before."

This Cape Town firm, which has clients like Woolworths, Makro and Mica, was one of two local firms that won bids to design the stadiums. The other is in Polokwane. All the others went to German firms.

"It's a unique opportunity to build a stadium for the 2010 World Cup," said Roberts.

Roberts said Mbombela Stadium was one of the few on schedule and where the principal contract had been awarded. Site clearing has commenced and the construction company will be on site in January 2007. Completion is expected to be around December 2008.

'Construction phase will present challenges'
The tender has been awarded to a consortium including Basil Read, a leading South African construction company, and Bouygues, a French company that has built numerous stadiums in Europe.

Mbombela is closely linked to the Kruger National Park and the stadium will have an animal theme, starting with the structural pylons supporting the roof, taking an abstract character of giraffes straining to hold the tension cables.

In spite of the euphoria around hosting 2010, some industry insiders said the construction phase will present challenges in "finding resource material and labour, not only in building the stadium, but also there is the Gautrain, airports upgrade, etcetera".

Some have predicted a shortage of cement and steel as construction begins, which could lead to cost escalation. "There is a huge amount of steel that is going to be required. The construction companies will have to import a great deal of steel from China and Italy," a source said.



* This article was originally published on page 5 of The Cape Argus on December 15, 2006

The Argus

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-12-15 11:52:00
© 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.

Cape Talk 567 Eyewitness News

A potential stalemate may have been averted between the City of Cape Town and the Green Point Common Association over the city's plans for the construction of the Green Point 2010 World Cup Stadium.

Role players met with Mayor Helen Zille this morning.

The association's chairman, David Polovin, says they have put forward a proposal that will allow for the construction of the Green Point stadium.

The association until now has been threatening with legal action against the building of the stadium, but Polovin says a compromise is now on the table.

I don't think we can quantify the mega benefits of a world cup to cape town. As much as its going to cost the city, its also going to put CT on another level. Cape Town certainly won't be excluded from the World Cup, over the next three years we are going to see billions and billions being invested in the city whether world cup related (R11 billion), or simply the transport investments (R3billion) or even simply the city beautification and construction of hotels and accommodation.

I have seen the massive amounts of planning that have gone into World Cup preparations. However, South Africans should not lose sight of the magnitude of this event. Its beyond massive and as one member of FIFA described it, an event beyond the imagination. Cape Town's world cup preparations are highly detailed and have the input from local and international experts. From what I've seen so far its definitely heading towards its goal of being the party capital during 2010, with matches from the 1st round until the SF stage. So except for the negotiations with 150 members of GPCA everything is set. CT will be under major pressure during the World Cup and so will every other city.

I wouldn't quite go so far as that since the World Cup is not a panacea to Cape Town's development challenges and should not be blown out of proportion as far as it's economic potential both for tourism and development. Politicians have a tendency to do this just like they did with the CTICC convention centre. Sure such venues are great but they are only a small part of the equation. As for the World Cup it will only last a few days in Cape Town in 2010 but the public will still have to cover the costs of the stadium in the end.

Also hoteliers should not get carried away with new development as the hangover from the end of the WC will mean hundreds of empty beds that will take years to fill up by sustainable demand. I think that Southern Sun has been mindful of this that new developments in Cape Town should be driven by purely customer demand not by one-time events. What is needed is more furnished apartments for the WC attendees that can converted to residential use after the WC is finished, not 5-10 large 300-500 room hotels that will take 40 years to fill up. Also, residents should be encouraged to rent out their houses for attendees so that there can be a temporary jump in available beds for the few days that the WC will go on in Cape Town. One should learn from the successes of Johannesburg and how it prepared for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development.

As for transport, I foresee even more traffic hell between the city and Green Point if nothing is done to complete the 30-year unfinished freeway and flyovers on the Foreshore and how they will connect with the V&A Waterfront and further on to Green Point. So far the city has no plans to finish the hollow lanes on the foreshore.

I wouldn't quite go so far as that since the World Cup is not a panacea to Cape Town's development challenges and should not be blown out of proportion as far as it's economic potential both for tourism and development. Politicians have a tendency to do this just like they did with the CTICC convention centre. Sure such venues are great but they are only a small part of the equation. As for the World Cup it will only last a few days in Cape Town in 2010 but the public will still have to cover the costs of the stadium in the end.

Also hoteliers should not get carried away with new development as the hangover from the end of the WC will mean hundreds of empty beds that will take years to fill up by sustainable demand. I think that Southern Sun has been mindful of this that new developments in Cape Town should be driven by purely customer demand not by one-time events. What is needed is more furnished apartments for the WC attendees that can converted to residential use after the WC is finished, not 5-10 large 300-500 room hotels that will take 40 years to fill up. Also, residents should be encouraged to rent out their houses for attendees so that there can be a temporary jump in available beds for the few days that the WC will go on in Cape Town. One should learn from the successes of Johannesburg and how it prepared for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development.

As for transport, I foresee even more traffic hell between the city and Green Point if nothing is done to complete the 30-year unfinished freeway and flyovers on the Foreshore and how they will connect with the V&A Waterfront and further on to Green Point. So far the city has no plans to finish the hollow lanes on the foreshore.

Good points, and I agree with most of them. Yes, indeed the world cup will only last for a short period, since CT will be staging matches in the 1st round, 2nd roud, a QF and SF, I can see the logic behind creating some form of continous stay for spectators in CT, perhaps using CT as the tourist base.

I don't think that hoteliers are getting over excited with excessive hotel developments. Apart from 5-6 waterfront hotels which are part of the general expansions plans of the new owners,CT is not constructing unnecessary hotels in large amounts that will not be sustainable in future. Apartments are an excellent idea and will be used and the excess apartments/apartment developments will be used during 2010. I am worried though that there is no formal project to allow spectators to stay at the homes of capetonians, this worked wonders during sydney 2000 and needs to be a part of accommodation plans.

I think the cruise liner terminal might become a priority project at the waterfront and will hopefully be completed before 2010. An additional 5-10,000 beds is necessary to support the 30 day accommodation demand. The watefront has only a limited capacity to house cruise ships at the moment. A cruise liner terminal has of course both short term and long term benefits. It is my opinion that the hotel developments will increase CT's hotel capacity to what it should be. A sustainable amount of rooms within a 50km radius that will support its future growth in tourism. One 12,000 delegate conference and CT has every hotel room already booked. !

I'm not sure if the CTICC expansion will continue if CT is not awarded as the venue for the World Cup Media Centre, but the Customs House site apart from plans to house exhibition halls will also be used as accommodation during the world cup. The views are amazing and post world cup will act as apartments. That should contribute quite a bit, and high demand can be expected based on its location overlooking the harbour and uninterrupted views of Table Mtn.

As for the success of the World Summit, there are many things to learn from it. Its security plan however was appaling. So I would not exactly call it a model event.

As for transport, the highway will not be completed. I expect traffic hell throughout CT and in part this is partially unavoidable. However a train link from the airport and dedicated bus lanes will help but only slightly. The FIFA fan mile will lead into the Greenpoint Common Site and will be purely for spectators and those using bicycles if im not mistaken. Also remember no cars will be allowed into the Greenpoint Site 5hrs before matches on match days. This applies to all stadia used during the World Cup. Roads will be purely used for public transport, service vehicles, VIP's, FIFA etc. So if matches begin at 8pm, roads from the city to greenpoint will be closed to private vehicles from 3pm. This will allow for the inclusion of dedicated transport lanes. The city will have to make do without the completed freeway, which is unfortunate but I don't believe disastrous for 2010.

These images can be found on FIFA.com, under the photo gallery section.

The delegates are entertained by local South African musicians at a dinner function at Moyo on the Spier Wine Estate in the Heart of the Cape Winelands in Stellenbosch, Cape Town.

http://www.fifa.com/photogallery/cms/others/CT_workshop_15.jpg


The host cities for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ have their banners displayed at the first FIFA function in South Africa, the FIFA Kick-off Workshops, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 23-25 October 2006.

http://www.fifa.com/photogallery/cms/others/CT_workshop_1.jpg

A yacht is moored off Clifton beach at sunset bearing the 2010 FIFA World Cup Emblem.

http://www.fifa.com/photogallery/cms/others/CT_workshop_2.jpg

The delegates at the first function for the Kick-off workshop, a cocktail party on Clifton Beach at a Welcoming Function hosted by the Major of Cape Town Helen Zille at Clifton Beach in Cape Town, South Africa.

http://www.fifa.com/photogallery/cms/others/CT_workshop_3.jpg

Markus Siegler (FIFA Director of Communications) holds up a copy of the local Cape Town newspaper, the Cape Argus, during a media briefing at the Cape Town Convention Centre.

http://www.fifa.com/photogallery/cms/others/CT_workshop_11.jpg

Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille (middle) with SA 2010 Ambassadors –(l-r) Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Phil Masinga and Kalusha Bwalya at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Workshops’ Welcoming Function hosted by the Major of Cape Town Helen Zille at Clifton Beach in Cape Town, South Africa

http://www.fifa.com/photogallery/cms/others/CT_workshop_4.jpg

Danny Jordaan (CEO LOC), Jérôme Champagne (Special Delegate of the FIFA President), Markus Siegler (FIFA Director of Communications) at a press conference on the first day of the workshop.

http://www.fifa.com/photogallery/cms/others/CT_workshop_8.jpg

City set to march in support of 2010 stadium

'Own goal' as city disallows 2010 march

By Craig McKune

A weekend march supporting Cape Town as a host city for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, was postponed after the organiser was declined permission to march - by the city itself.

The march, planned for lunchtime on Sunday, was initiated on air by Heart 104.9 sports journalist Nick Feinberg on Thursday.

His call generated huge support from listeners, said station manager Gavin Meiring. They were to have marched - dressed in soccer kit - from Somerset Road to the Green Point Common, where organised soccer games were planned for the afternoon.

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
"We would like to give Capetonians a voice to show support for the 2010 Soccer World Cup," said Meiring.

He said that while "a few individuals in Green Point" are working against the city's plans to build a new stadium in the area, "the majority" see the World Cup as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But Cape Town was warned last week by Irvin Khoza, chairman of the local organising committee, that the World Cup would go on, with or without the city. He was commenting on a succession of obstacles delaying the construction of the stadium, including opposition from Green Point residents.

"It would be a great tragedy if Cape Town loses the World Cup," said Meiring.

The radio station said the city had turned the application down because the station did not apply for a permit seven days in advance of the event, as required. Another application has been made for the march to go ahead on Sunday.

* This article was originally published on page 5 of The Cape Times on December 18, 2006

Cape Times

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-12-18 01:35:00
© 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.

Go on Mo, march with them ;)

Stadium protest may spell end to Common

December 20, 2006 Edition 1

The Green Point Common Association (GPCA) seems to fail to understand that if it succeeds in stopping the construction of the Green Point stadium, that will not be the end of the story.

The future of the Green Point Common would remain uncertain. The ANC is mad as hell and if it returns to power, which it undoubtedly will if the DA messes up the World Cup, it might well rezone the entire Common and turn it into low-income housing, just to get even.

The only way of securing the Green Point Common's long-term future is by allowing the new stadium to be built, with guarantees that the rest of the Common will stay green.

There is already a stadium in Green Point - a really ugly one. How can anyone object to the ugly one being demolished and replaced by a really nice one?

Also, the GPCA would be well advised to stop pretending to represent the people of Cape Town and Green Point. About 86% of South Africans are in favour of the World Cup, and that includes Cape Town and the Western Cape.

The GPCA seems to have 250 members, according to its website - that's 0.008% of Cape Town's population.

Peter Karaszi

Sea Point

If Cape Town loses the World Cup because of the stadium being halted by these priviledged elites, then Helen Zille can kiss goodbye her fragile DA-led coalition in charge of Cape Town early next year and not have to wait for the mass defections of DA and alliance partner parties to the ANC that would likely follow in the crossover period in September. Even though Helen publicly supported the stadium construction, the idea that elitist whites living in Green Point can block a development of this nature would undoubtedly not go down well with fickle mixed-race constituents.

At risk also is the $1 billion earmarked for the expansion of the V&A Waterfront by Dubai World, which would become irrelevant if the Cup misses Cape Town, especially if the ANC takes over and builds social housing in Green Point in the same style as the troubled Gateway housing project in Nyanga.

If Cape Town loses the World Cup because of the stadium being halted by these priviledged elites, then Helen Zille can kiss goodbye her fragile DA-led coalition in charge of Cape Town early next year and not have to wait for the mass defections of DA and alliance partner parties to the ANC that would likely follow in the crossover period in September. Even though Helen publicly supported the stadium construction, the idea that elitist whites living in Green Point can block a development of this nature would undoubtedly not go down well with fickle mixed-race constituents.

At risk also is the $1 billion earmarked for the expansion of the V&A Waterfront by Dubai World, which would become irrelevant if the Cup misses Cape Town, especially if the ANC takes over and builds social housing in Green Point in the same style as the troubled Gateway housing project in Nyanga.

I agree with you that the DA support would be really fragile if CT was to lose its World Cup Host City status.

I disagree that the expansion of the waterfront would be irrelevant, the waterfront has done amazingly well before the world cup. Of course it would have done wonders for its exposure, but investments in the waterfront will go ahead regardless of 2010. The investment certainly was not made based solely on 2010. I understand that the investment would certainly be affected in terms of the need to integrate the waterfront with the stadium site, as well as investor confidence of course but i disagree that it would be irrelevant.


Assuming that the stadium goes ahead, I really do see CT bouncing back from the "troubled 2010 city" to the "star 2010 city". I wonder if FIFA would even allow CT to be kicked out, since a host city agreement was signed. I suppose its not a "contract"..maybe i should find out.

The social housing issue would definitely have an impact on the common. Had a close up look at the common a few days ago, and if it was not for the golf course, the entire area would just be one large dump. Sports field arent exactly maintained, some tennis courts seem abandoned. the common looks nice from far,, but far from nice up close.

This is getting very confusing and messy

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

Statement by Tasneem Essop, Western Cape Minister of Environment, Planning and Economic Development

20 December 2006
SOURCE: Ministry of Environment, Planning and Economic Development (Provincial Government of the Western Cape)

Today I wrote a letter to Ms Helen Zille, the Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town ('the Executive Mayor' and 'the City'), about the applications made by the Municipal Council of the City ('the Council') to the competent authorities in the Western Cape Provincial Government for certain approvals relating to the proposed new stadium and urban park on the Green Point Common ('the Stadium', 'the Urban Park' and 'the Common').
The applications made by the Council are the following:

(a) An application in terms of section 137 of the Municipal Ordinance 20 of 1974 (Cape) for authority to close a public place of 18 ha, being the part of the Common which will become the Stadium precinct.
(b) An application in terms of section 9(2) of the Land Use Planning Ordinance 15 of 1985 ('LUPO') for the amendment of Schedule 2 to the Municipality of the City of Cape Town: Zoning Scheme: Scheme Regulations ('the Zoning Scheme') by excluding the Stadium precinct from the area of the Green Point Common designated for playing fields.
(c) An application in terms of section 17 of LUPO for the rezoning of the Stadium precinct from Public Open Space to Community Facilities Use Zone in terms of the Zoning Scheme.
(d) An application in terms of section 15(2) and (3)(b) of the Zoning Scheme for consent to build the Stadium in the Stadium precinct pursuant to the rezoning of the Stadium precinct from Public Open Space to Community Facilities Use Zone.
(e) An application in terms of section 16 of the Zoning Scheme for consent to build an electrical substation in the Stadium precinct.
(f) An application for a departure from the number of on-site parking bays for the stadium required by section 77(1) of the Zoning Scheme.
(g) An application for a temporary departure from the Zoning Scheme to allow Federation International Football Association ('FIFA') to use land adjacent to the Stadium precinct for temporary parking, a hospitality area and associated uses during the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament.
The competent authority in relation to the application referred to in paragraph (a) above is Minister Richard Dyantyi, the Western Cape Minister of Local Government and Housing. I am the competent authority in relation to the applications referred to in paragraphs (b), (c), (f) and (g) above.

In addition to those applications I am currently considering appeals in terms of section 35(3) of the Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989 ('ECA') against the granting of authorisation for the Stadium and Urban Park and associated infrastructure in terms of section 22 of the ECA on 31 October 2006. That decision was taken by the Director: Integrated Environmental Management (Region B) in the Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning on 31 October 2006, pursuant to an application by the City.

In my letter today to the Executive Mayor I informed her that I cannot take the first-instance decision about the applications for consents in terms of the Zoning Scheme referred to in paragraphs (d) and (e) above ('the consents') because the Zoning Scheme expressly vests the power to do so in the Council. There is nothing in the Zoning Scheme or in the LUPO, in terms of which the Zoning Scheme was made, which allows me to take the first-instance decisions about the consents.

I also informed the Executive Mayor that the Council's decision on the applications for the consents is appealable to me in terms of section 44 of LUPO and that it is desirable that I determine at the same time all of the current applications and all appeals relating to the proposed Stadium and Urban Park, including any appeals against the Council's decision on the applications for the consents.

It is accordingly necessary that the Council reconsider and take a decision on the consents.

I infer from the Council's decision taken on 7 December 2006 recommending to me that I grant the consents, that when the Council itself reconsiders them it will approve the consents. If the Council does so, the City must send registered letters to the objectors notifying them of the Council's decision and of their right to appeal in writing within 21 days of the registration of those letters.

If appeals are served within that period, upon receipt of the Council's comments and recommendations on the appeals or its notification that it has no comments or recommendations I will consider and determine together the applications referred to in paragraphs (b), (c), (f) and (g) above, the appeals in terms of section 35(3) of the ECA and the appeals against the Council's approval of the consents.

If no appeals are served within that 21 day period, I will consider and determine together the applications referred to in paragraphs (b), (c), (f) and (g) above and the appeals in terms of section 35(3) of the ECA.

I shall make and announce my decision on all these matters once I receive the Council's comments and recommendations on the appeals against its approval of the consents or its notification that it has no comments or recommendations.

As matters stand I will not be issuing any further media statements on this matter until I take my final decision.

---------------
Enquiries:
Lynnette Johns
Media Liaison Officer to Ms Tasneem Essop
Provincial Minister: Environment, Planning and Economic Development
Tel: 021 483 3915
Fax: 021 483 6081

http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/your_gov/3576/news/2006/dec/150864

This is getting very confusing and messy

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

Statement by Tasneem Essop, Western Cape Minister of Environment, Planning and Economic Development

20 December 2006
SOURCE: Ministry of Environment, Planning and Economic Development (Provincial Government of the Western Cape)

Today I wrote a letter to Ms Helen Zille, the Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town ('the Executive Mayor' and 'the City'), about the applications made by the Municipal Council of the City ('the Council') to the competent authorities in the Western Cape Provincial Government for certain approvals relating to the proposed new stadium and urban park on the Green Point Common ('the Stadium', 'the Urban Park' and 'the Common').
The applications made by the Council are the following:

(a) An application in terms of section 137 of the Municipal Ordinance 20 of 1974 (Cape) for authority to close a public place of 18 ha, being the part of the Common which will become the Stadium precinct.
(b) An application in terms of section 9(2) of the Land Use Planning Ordinance 15 of 1985 ('LUPO') for the amendment of Schedule 2 to the Municipality of the City of Cape Town: Zoning Scheme: Scheme Regulations ('the Zoning Scheme') by excluding the Stadium precinct from the area of the Green Point Common designated for playing fields.
(c) An application in terms of section 17 of LUPO for the rezoning of the Stadium precinct from Public Open Space to Community Facilities Use Zone in terms of the Zoning Scheme.
(d) An application in terms of section 15(2) and (3)(b) of the Zoning Scheme for consent to build the Stadium in the Stadium precinct pursuant to the rezoning of the Stadium precinct from Public Open Space to Community Facilities Use Zone.
(e) An application in terms of section 16 of the Zoning Scheme for consent to build an electrical substation in the Stadium precinct.
(f) An application for a departure from the number of on-site parking bays for the stadium required by section 77(1) of the Zoning Scheme.
(g) An application for a temporary departure from the Zoning Scheme to allow Federation International Football Association ('FIFA') to use land adjacent to the Stadium precinct for temporary parking, a hospitality area and associated uses during the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament.
The competent authority in relation to the application referred to in paragraph (a) above is Minister Richard Dyantyi, the Western Cape Minister of Local Government and Housing. I am the competent authority in relation to the applications referred to in paragraphs (b), (c), (f) and (g) above.

In addition to those applications I am currently considering appeals in terms of section 35(3) of the Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989 ('ECA') against the granting of authorisation for the Stadium and Urban Park and associated infrastructure in terms of section 22 of the ECA on 31 October 2006. That decision was taken by the Director: Integrated Environmental Management (Region B) in the Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning on 31 October 2006, pursuant to an application by the City.

In my letter today to the Executive Mayor I informed her that I cannot take the first-instance decision about the applications for consents in terms of the Zoning Scheme referred to in paragraphs (d) and (e) above ('the consents') because the Zoning Scheme expressly vests the power to do so in the Council. There is nothing in the Zoning Scheme or in the LUPO, in terms of which the Zoning Scheme was made, which allows me to take the first-instance decisions about the consents.

I also informed the Executive Mayor that the Council's decision on the applications for the consents is appealable to me in terms of section 44 of LUPO and that it is desirable that I determine at the same time all of the current applications and all appeals relating to the proposed Stadium and Urban Park, including any appeals against the Council's decision on the applications for the consents.

It is accordingly necessary that the Council reconsider and take a decision on the consents.

I infer from the Council's decision taken on 7 December 2006 recommending to me that I grant the consents, that when the Council itself reconsiders them it will approve the consents. If the Council does so, the City must send registered letters to the objectors notifying them of the Council's decision and of their right to appeal in writing within 21 days of the registration of those letters.

If appeals are served within that period, upon receipt of the Council's comments and recommendations on the appeals or its notification that it has no comments or recommendations I will consider and determine together the applications referred to in paragraphs (b), (c), (f) and (g) above, the appeals in terms of section 35(3) of the ECA and the appeals against the Council's approval of the consents.

If no appeals are served within that 21 day period, I will consider and determine together the applications referred to in paragraphs (b), (c), (f) and (g) above and the appeals in terms of section 35(3) of the ECA.

I shall make and announce my decision on all these matters once I receive the Council's comments and recommendations on the appeals against its approval of the consents or its notification that it has no comments or recommendations.

As matters stand I will not be issuing any further media statements on this matter until I take my final decision.

---------------
Enquiries:
Lynnette Johns
Media Liaison Officer to Ms Tasneem Essop
Provincial Minister: Environment, Planning and Economic Development
Tel: 021 483 3915
Fax: 021 483 6081

http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/your_gov/3576/news/2006/dec/150864

true. its best that she is thorough rather than the opposite.

I agree with you that the DA support would be really fragile if CT was to lose its World Cup Host City status.

I disagree that the expansion of the waterfront would be irrelevant, the waterfront has done amazingly well before the world cup. Of course it would have done wonders for its exposure, but investments in the waterfront will go ahead regardless of 2010. The investment certainly was not made based solely on 2010. I understand that the investment would certainly be affected in terms of the need to integrate the waterfront with the stadium site, as well as investor confidence of course but i disagree that it would be irrelevant.


Assuming that the stadium goes ahead, I really do see CT bouncing back from the "troubled 2010 city" to the "star 2010 city". I wonder if FIFA would even allow CT to be kicked out, since a host city agreement was signed. I suppose its not a "contract"..maybe i should find out.

The social housing issue would definitely have an impact on the common. Had a close up look at the common a few days ago, and if it was not for the golf course, the entire area would just be one large dump. Sports field arent exactly maintained, some tennis courts seem abandoned. the common looks nice from far,, but far from nice up close.

Yes I predict that if the World Cup pulled out of Cape Town in January, then Helen Zille could easily find coalition partners that decide to jump ship. And you know what that means...a confidence vote that could bring the ANC back to power with the support of the Independent Democrats (led by Patricia de Lille).

You may be right about Dubai World still investing the $1 billion sum in the V&A in the event that the Cup misses Cape Town, although I think if the Cup is cancelled then the development plan for spending that $1 billion would likely be stretched from four years to 15-20 years.

Yes I predict that if the World Cup pulled out of Cape Town in January, then Helen Zille could easily find coalition partners that decide to jump ship. And you know what that means...a confidence vote that could bring the ANC back to power with the support of the Independent Democrats (led by Patricia de Lille).

You may be right about Dubai World still investing the $1 billion sum in the V&A in the event that the Cup misses Cape Town, although I think if the Cup is cancelled then the development plan for spending that $1 billion would likely be stretched from four years to 15-20 years.

I don't think it is likely that the $1 billion will be stretched to 15-20 years. Dubaiworld and L&R did not purchase the waterfront to spend over 20 years. The $1 billion is just the first phase, which may be stretched to 5 years instead of 3 to adjust the plan to remove any planning that integrated the site with the stadium. The new owners are most definitely aiming to take the waterfront to a new level and fast.

I dont doubt they will...but i think the sudden need for many of the hotels would be reassessed and a longer timeline used.

I dont doubt they will...but i think the sudden need for many of the hotels would be reassessed and a longer timeline used.

I agree. It took 17 years to build the V&A Waterfront to the point where it is today and I cannot see how they can get it doubled in size without the WC as there will need to be alot of expensive foreign engineers and contractors to pay in order to fast-track $1 billion over three years. Even with the WC, it would be difficult to meet that budget given the capacity constraints in the council and the need for new infrastructure to service the new sites.

It is the hotels that will most likely get pushed back if not some of them being shelved altogether as the demand for rooms won't come as fast and unlike apartments, hotels have a heavy overhead that has to be justified. It is probably fair to say that without the World Cup, the hotels that do get built will probably not be run by international hotel groups like Westin, Hyatt, Ritz Carlton or Marriott but would instead be run by SA chains such as Protea, City Lodge, Three Cities, or Relais Hotels. In addtition the emphasis may be on sectional-title type hotels rather than the traditional ones because of the seasonality factor in Cape Town.

^^ i disagree there. I do believe the big international chains will come, i just believe that the need to rush everything for one specific time will not happen and that fewer of them will be built by 2010 and that the development plan will be spread over 2 or 3 additional years

^^ i disagree there. I do believe the big international chains will come, i just believe that the need to rush everything for one specific time will not happen and that fewer of them will be built by 2010 and that the development plan will be spread over 2 or 3 additional years
i agree.

^^ i disagree there. I do believe the big international chains will come, i just believe that the need to rush everything for one specific time will not happen and that fewer of them will be built by 2010 and that the development plan will be spread over 2 or 3 additional years

You both are probably right on the international hotel chains coming to the V&A and it would seem logical that if the WC passes Cape Town the six new hotel developments on the V&A could be built in six years rather than three. Lets hope Helen Zille and Ebrahim Rasool both have their heads on straight so that we can get this thing resolved.

You both are probably right on the international hotel chains coming to the V&A and it would seem logical that if the WC passes Cape Town the six new hotel developments on the V&A could be built in six years rather than three. Lets hope Helen Zille and Ebrahim Rasool both have their heads on straight so that we can get this thing resolved.

there is no major fight between rasool and zille. its all been exaggerated by the media, rasool had a knee-jerk reaction and zille replied with the facts and he is pissed off.they worked very well on the detailed business plan. based on the timeline set at the beginning of 2006 everything is still on schedule. actual construction might only start in march but the initial deadline for the stadium was set at december 2008, which wont happen since CT is not a confederations cup city, the deadline is now october 2009. the same applied to soccer city to ensure that the stadium is built properly and not a rush job.

Experts meet on Cape Town stadium process
Helen Zille, the Cape Town mayor

Helen Zille, the Cape Town mayor
December 21, 2006, 19:00

Legal and technical experts from the Western Cape provincial government and the City of Cape Town met today to discuss a way forward on the city's proposed 2010 world cup stadium. The meeting came as verbal sniping continued over the province's claim that a bungle by the city in the approvals process has threatened the already tight timetable for construction of the R2.9 billion project.

Helen Zille, the Cape Town mayor said the experts were seeking a way to "resolve the development approvals" required for the construction and would continue their work tomorrow. "Procedural difficulties around the rezoning for the Green Point stadium can be overcome and I am confident a way forward will be found between the City of Cape Town and the provincial government," Zille said.

Political storm in a teacup
Zille also said the controversy was a "political storm in a teacup. "Several months ago, I met with Ebrahim Rasool, the premier and we agreed on a step by step process on the statutory approvals required for Green Point Common and the construction of the new stadium. The City has met every one of its obligations by the required deadline, " said Zille.

She said there was nothing stopping Tasneem Essop, the provincial planning MEC from making a decision on the city's rezoning application. It appeared that the province's motive was to try to force the city to agree to the establishment of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) in which it could have joint control of the 2010 project.

Zille said the city had no problem with working jointly with the province, but could not agree to a separate SPV because National Treasury, Fifa and the Local Organising Committee had entered into contracts with cities, not provinces, for 2010.

"We are therefore accountable and responsible and cannot delegate this responsibility to a special purpose vehicle," Zille said. "The premier and the province should stop trying to take over 2010. They should put their pride in their pocket and continue working productively in partnership with the city as we have up till no, " Zille said.

A good read

_________________________________________________________________

2010 World Cup is the province's ticket for growth

By Ian Neilson

Peter Frost (Letters, December 8) accuses me and my colleagues of "bullying" and "blackmailing" the Green Point residents into accepting the proposed new stadium in Green Point. It is unfortunate that our comments have been reported in some press articles as ultimatums.

The reality is that what we have said is simply an honest appraisal of the real options before council and the citizens of Cape Town, and especially the citizens of Green Point.

When the multi-party government took power in Cape Town in March, it inherited contracts with Fifa to host the 2010 World Cup and provide a 68 000-seat stadium at Green Point. We did not simply leave it at that, but took the concerns of the citizens of Green Point very seriously, and actively pursued all available avenues to address these.

We conducted a thorough investigation of alternative sites. Our major constraints are time, money and Fifa's requirements. It quickly became apparent that, given these constraints, the only viable potential remaining options were Culemborg and Green Point.

Because of size constraints, Newlands and Athlone could only be considered if Fifa was prepared to accept a stadium much smaller than their standard requirements. In the event, this was not achievable. We actively pursued the Culemborg option. Public Enterprise Minister Alec Erwin firmly rejected providing the Culemborg land for a stadium, as it is required for expansion of the harbour, where freight traffic is growing rapidly. We were then left with Green Point as the only viable option within the time constraints.

The city (and the province) did not at that point simply reject the Green Point residents as a bunch of "NIMBYs" (a title which in my view denies people's rights), but actively examined how the issues they raised could be positively addressed.

Significant design features, such as an outer skin to the stadium and a double-layer roof, have significantly addressed issues such as aesthetics, noise and light pollution.

The location of the new stadium on the golf course site rather than the existing stadium site has optimised the distance of the stadium from residential zones. The national government has agreed to significant additional funding, amounting to R650 million, to enable the site-specific requirements to be met.

It has also agreed that there is justification for additional spending to ensure the stadium can be configured for multi-purpose use and be sustainable into the future.

We have also sought to address the needs of the 24 leaseholders on the Green Point Common in good faith and in a way that will ensure their continued operation and the retention of Green Point Common as a green sport-oriented area, which will now also provide an urban park accessible to all.

A budget of R65m has been provided to meet this outcome, which will result in the current tatty mess being upgraded. We could never have found funding for this upgrade if the World Cup were not at stake.

Cape Town is proudly South African, and we want to be a part of this great occasion where we will host the world. It is not simply about playing one game of soccer, or even about nine games.

The whole process towards the World Cup provides the city with the opportunity to lift itself to a new level of operation.

Our public transport system will get a great boost from upgrades to our train network and coach sets, bus route upgrades and key road improvements.

Athlone and Philippi will have upgraded stadiums that will act as training venues during the World Cup. The economic confidence created will boost the city far into |the future. We cannot miss this opportunity.

Our message to the residents |of Green Point is that we remain open to further suggestions on |how we can improve our current plans. It is not a threat from the multi-party government, but a statement of knowledge, that the economic and social trends which face this city make an open space so close to the city centre ripe for plucking for residential and commercial development.

We will not permit such development of the common, but we cannot give you assurances on the decisions of future governments.

The existing sport leaseholders on the common have very few years left on their leases. This is the opportunity to reorganise the common and to lock it into new leases for another generation.

Frost's allusion to and rejection of George Bush's dictum can be turned around and placed at his feet, as he effectively says: "If you are for a stadium, you are against us."

It is, of course, much more complicated, as even the US president himself has found.

 Neilson is Mayoral Committee member for finance in the City of Cape Town.

Published on the web by Cape Times on December 19, 2006.

That is a good read by Ian Neilson

Zille confident about Cape 2010 semifinal

By Staff Writer

Executive mayor Helen Zille is confident that the latest procedural hiccup in the construction of the Green Point stadium will not affect the city's chances of hosting a 2010 World Cup semifinal event.

But she called on Premier Ebrahim Rasool and the province to "stop trying to take over 2010".

This follows the call from Rasool for Zille to convene an urgent council meeting so that it could give consent for the building of the stadium.

Zille declined, saying that the city had met its deadlines and it was now up to provincial planning MEC Tasneem Essop to make a decision on the rezoning application.

'The controversy is a political storm in a teacup'
"The controversy is a political storm in a teacup. It is a matter of the sequence of approvals by the competent authorities."

Legal and technical experts from the city and the province met on Thursday to resolve the development approvals needed before construction can start on the stadium.

The legal teams resume their discussions on Friday.

Although no decision was reached, Zille said the difficulties would be overcome so that the city and province could find a way forward.

"We have no problem working jointly on 2010 with the province."

Meanwhile, Fedhasa Cape chairperson Nils Heckscher says it is imperative the provincial government, the City of Cape Town, and all decision-making bodies get their act together.

"This is about economic growth opportunities and an injection of billions of rands into the city coffers that will not easily be rivalled by any other event.

"It's about much-needed infrastructure for a city that offers world-class tourism opportunities, but has many incomplete infrastructure needs for all its people - a public transport system as well as rail and road infrastructure, amongst others."

Heckscher said it was vital that 2010 left a legacy well into the future and allowed South Africans to remember it as an event that brought more than a few weeks of excitement.

"It's an opportunity for nation building, to extend a true African welcome, and will bring together diverse cultures and people from all over the world," he said.



* This article was originally published on page 5 of The Cape Times on December 22, 2006

Cape Times

Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-12-22 06:48:00
© 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.

22 December 2006

CONSTRUCTION / 2010 WORLD CUP

Expect costs to climb


By Nicky Smith

The failure to agree on fixed-cost tenders could cost the state billions


Taxpayers are likely going to have to fork out more than the hefty R8,4bn for the 10 soccer stadiums to be used during the 2010 World Cup since national treasury is not requiring the host cities' municipalities to negotiate fixed-price contracts with construction companies.

At the first of a series of government media briefings on 2010 preparations - in itself a welcome development since the Local Organising Committee has to date proved woefully inadequate in its communication efforts - deputy finance minister Jabu Moleketi prevaricated when asked about likely escalation costs.

With long lead times on cement, sky-high prices on steel and a shortage of skilled labour, inflation in this environment of ever-increasing fixed investment spending can only go one way. In fact, economists are predicting double-digit increases in cement prices for most of the next five to eight years. Timber, bricks, piping and galvanised sheeting are all in high demand and, to varying degrees, in short supply.

WHAT IT MEANS
Fixed-price tenders would control prices
Tight deadline gives builders more leeway

It is precisely these pricing realities in the supplies market that forced government to insist on a fixed-price contract with Murray & Roberts for the Gautrain. The R24bn rapid rail project started out costing taxpayers a whisker more than R7bn, but within a handful of years the price tag rose threefold.

One of the reasons fixed-price contracts have not been advocated is that they take a long time to negotiate. Despite almost a year of haggling, the project has yet to achieve financial closure.

What the Gautrain and 2010 stadiums have in common is that they are all unique projects. Nothing like them, or on their scale, has been done in the past in SA, so there is no experience for contractors to draw on.

Secondly, there is just no time left. There are Fifa deadlines that have to be met regardless of whatever challenges the contractors have on site. These structures must be delivered by December 2009, or earlier for the stadiums earmarked to host the Confederations Cup in mid-2009. This in itself could push prices up.

Moleketi says the R8,4bn - which is almost three times the initial estimate for government's contribution to stadium construction - already includes escalation costs. If this money is not sufficient, he suggests that the municipalities will have to raise the additional finance through borrowing or other forms of debt.

Most municipalities, however, do not have the balance sheets or management ability to raise money through a bond; only Johannesburg has to date raised a bond on the Bond Exchange of SA and only the six metropolitan areas are deemed creditworthy enough to attempt the exercise.

This would suggest that the cities will go to government with begging bowls in their hands as soon as they run out of funds.

Moleketi says "the money that is in the budget is in the budget" and construction companies will need to "convince us" that the funds are insufficient.

Leaving a back door open for further increases, though, Moleketi says should treasury receive additional demands for funds, that bridge will need to be crossed when the time comes.

Malcolm Simpson, the head of the national treasury's 2010 unit, is defensive about this lack of direction given to municipalities. "Procurement happens at the municipalities. We have not advised them [on procurement]. They are guided by the Municipal Financial Management Act."

Analysts have expressed surprise at treasury's position, given the well-established capacity constraints at local government level.

Moleketi acknowledges that there could be "all sorts of difficulty" with the construction of the stadiums.

The main contractors will be moving on-site in February, which allows only one month for negotiati ng the tender details; this hardly seems enough time to do the kind of tough talking necessary to keep costs under control.

Of the 10 stadiums, six are new or require substantial upgrading, while four have to be refurbished.

Expect the R8,4bn number to escalate. Treasur y has also set aside R6,6bn for supporting infrastructure in the cities, such as transport networks.

Final match was played yesterday between Chiefs and Pirates before construction begins.

http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/10years/1277-0-0-0_379432.jpg



Thats an amazing looking and innovative design. I am glad south africa is hosting the world cup...it was high time.

I just saw the renderings for the Orlando Stadium and WOW..what a transformation

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2249/ellisparkxp5.jpg

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/4106/ellispark1gm0.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3016/picture2ks7.jpg
http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/2296/picture1lk7.jpg

•New Board Halls
•North Entry Upgrades
•South Entry Upgrades
•New Bridge between gymnasium and stadium
•Conference Facilities
•Gymnasium Facilities
•Additional Ablution Facilities
•New Ticket Offices
•Camera Platform
•Additional Lift
•Turnstiles
•Upgraded Concession stalls
•Upgrade existing VOC
•Upgrade and expand existing VIP suite
•Roof over Eastern Pavilion
•New Seats
•New Plant Rooms
•Temporary Facilities for Media
•Dug-outs for Reserves
•Pull out Shelter for Tunnel
•Electrical and Electronic Upgrade

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1856/loftus2vr1.jpg
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/7762/loftus1bj2.jpg

Currently:

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8801/petermokaba2qn5.jpg
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5628/petermokaba3zf3.jpg

New stadium based on decision to retain existing stadium:

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3372/petermokabagd1.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7401/petermokaba1ii1.jpg

Construction: 22 Jan 2007 - 19 December 2008

Capacity: 55,000
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/1050/orlandstadiumyl5.jpg

Whats with the giraffe? :wtf:

Mo have you got any of the upgrade details for the ellis park stadium?-like you gave for Loftus.Im chuffed about the addition of the roof :banana2:
Thanks for all the 2010 pics! much appreciated!

Whats with the giraffe? :wtf:

Mo have you got any of the upgrade details for the ellis park stadium?-like you gave for Loftus.Im chuffed about the addition of the roof :banana2:
Thanks for all the 2010 pics! much appreciated!

The stadium pylons are meant to represent a giraffe.

This is some general information, I'll post more soon.
I would not be worried about the stadium. The city will spend what is necessary to upgrade the stadium. Planning has been ongoing for the last 18 months and the promises of upgrades to the stadium made to FIFA will definitely be met.

2010 Soccer World Cup
A key focus area of the JDA’s 2010 Soccer World Cup interventions is the Greater Ellis Park area. The Greater Ellis Park precinct is home to three international sports complexes: the Johannesburg Stadium, Ellis Park Stadium and the city's premier Olympic-size swimming pool.
The Greater Ellis Park precinct will receive a R 2 billion rand upgrade over the next five years to ensure that it is ready to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
The CoJ, through its UAC’s, is expected to provide over R 500 million to upgrade engineering services and infrastructure. The public sector is expected to contribute over R 450 million, with the private sector contributing a further R800 million. This upgrade is also expected to reverse inner city decline and attract investment.

Martsbra-Re: Ellis Park Stadium

All I could find so far:

Johannesburg
Ellis Park is one of the existing stadiums that will be upgraded.

It was first built in June 1928 and rebuilt in 1983. It is earmarked to host the quarter-final matchesduring the World Cup.

Construction is expected to start early next year.

“Our total construction period was initially programmed into an 18-month schedule.

“Once the detailed design isofficially finalised and approved by the City of Johannesburg’s 2010 executive director, Sibongile Mazibuko, the final construction programme will be confirmed,” says Ellis Park World of Sport capital projects and business development manager Paul Appalsamy.

He adds that the total cost ofupgrading Ellis Park stadium, excluding the Ellis Park sports precinct, is budgeted to be R228,5-million. (more likely R300 million)

Ellis Park World of Sports CEO George Stainton confirms that the City of Johannesburg has appointeda consortium, made up of thefollowing professional teammembers: PD Naidoo & Associates as consulting engineers and project managers; DBM Architects in joint venture with Shabangu Architect; Advoco Engineering for com-munication, sound, media andelectrical; Moja, in association with Patrick Ronan for events management and security; Norval Wentzel Steinberg in joint venture with BTKM as quantity surveyors; and Albonico Sack Mzumara will carry out the urban design.

If Athlone was to be the World Cup Venue, this was one of the earlier 45,000 seater designs. Instead it is on of Cape Towns World Cup Training Venues.

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/691/athlone1dr7.jpg
Currently: The construction has progressed well, a roof now exists over both sets of seating visible in the above image.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8641/athlonenh0.jpg

I don't think the roof design for the east and west portion of the stadium will be included. It might be, since R297.4 million is to be spent on this stadium before 2010, I'm not sure however whether the funds include the roof portion which was completed about a month or more ago.

I'm not sure how this venue will act as a training venue? Perhaps if they include a temporary synthetic pitch inside the velodrome? The football field and athletics track though need much upgrading and atttention.

R3.2million will be spent on creating an additional training venue to the Athlone and Phillipi Stadia

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7846/velomo1.jpg

Capacity: 55,000
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/1050/orlandstadiumyl5.jpg

Hi MO, the construction have already started here, there's 2 cranes and lots of pillars standing.

Ellis Park Stadium during Swallowsa and Kaizer Chiefs game

http://www.afripics.com/images/stockart/WWK/Z2_1056.jpg

SAFA House

http://img.geocaching.com/cache/log/a647269d-cc83-4fc9-a532-a3bba16e4aa0.jpg

Rusternburg and Neslpruit are quite in regards to the 2010 preperations in regards to transportation, fan parks etc. Do you guy have buddies in those cities that can keep us up to date?

Material scarcity a 2010 worry
03/01/2007 19:57 - (SA)

Johannesburg - Two new negative factors have emerged as South Africa begins to lay the foundations for 2010 World Cup building projects.

The first of these is construction overload and Durban's proposed R1.8bn King Senzangakhone stadium is set to take the first body blow with the consequential scarcity of building materials driving costs up.

The last-minute cancellation by the eThekwini municipality of the announcement of the construction company expected to begin building by the end of this month will be fuel for the sceptics who are predicting that 2010 hosts will not meet their deadline.

According to media reports in Natal, a spokesperson at the Durban municipality said that they are still in discussion with national government and an announcement will be made by mid-January at the earliest. However, the spokesperson insisted that all is still "on track".

Projects, like work on Durban's King Shaka International Airport and other multi-billion-rand "power projects" planned by the private sector and parastatals, such as Eskom and Transnet, along with the five new soccer stadiums that are scheduled to get underway soon, have given rise to questions whether there are enough building materials to go round.

Currently both the Durban municipality and the construction company are apparently waiting for national government's confirmation of the full funding before the contract can be signed.

The problem is that the municipality is trying to secure additional finance to cover bids that came in way above the originally agreed amount. In fact, it is believed that the local authority is trying to persuade national government to accept a price tag that could top R2bn.

South Africa has identified 10 stadiums for 2010. Five will be built from scratch and another five upgraded.

According to Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's calculations, R5.6bn will go towards building new stadiums, R1.95bn will cover the upgrades, R586m will pay for services to these stadiums and R5.5bn will take care of supporting infrastructure, including transport and communication.

Durban's R1.8bn stadium, Polokwane's R1.1bn Peter Mokaba Stadium, Port Elizabeth's R1.1bn Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Nelspruit's R1.1bn Mbombela Stadium and the controversial R2.5bn Green Point Stadium in Cape Town already add up to R8.8bn and these prices were set before building cost escalations.

The R1.2bn proposed upgrade of Soccer City (FNB Stadium) in Johannesburg (again without the latest cost escalations) will leave just R800m of the upgrade budget to be shared between Loftus Versveld, Ellis Park, the Free State stadium and the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

That's exactly what i was scared of, I have said it before that the country have shortage of skills and if they gonna push all the projects at once its gonna cost them a great deal of money because they would have to source more skill from outside. I believe that the stadium constructions should have started last year already. The national government knew that they have to build those stadiums but they held on the money to themselves instead of have a comitee that will facilitate the accelaration of stadium construction.

World-class urban park planned for Cape Town

By Willem Steenkamp

A huge world-class urban park and dedicated sports and recreational precinct is on the cards for Cape Town as part of the 2010 Soccer World Cup Stadium development at Green Point.

The 70-hectare park and the surrounding sport facilities are expected to be on a par with similar great public parks in other world cities, like Central Park in New York, and will include green public spaces, landscaped garden sections and tree-lined walkways.

And the recreational node that forms part of Cape Town's new green lung will consist of a multi-purpose sports precinct, with at least seven full-sized playing fields for sports like rugby, soccer, hockey and cricket, as well as club facilities.

City Mayor Helen Zille and other senior city officials gave Weekend Argus a sneak preview of far-reaching proposals that could change the face of the Common.

'A significant green lung for Cape Town'
The rezoning approval on Friday by Environmental and Planning Tasneem Essop of the Green Point Common from a public open space to community facility has been welcomed by planners as the catalyst that will finally get the building of Cape Town's new 68 000 seat stadium moving ahead at pace.

The new stadium will be built on part of the current Metropolitan Golf Course site. New land will be designated for a nine hole golf course that will run along the edge of the Common closest to the sea, with an L-shape sweep back towards the stadium site.

Announcing her agreement for the rezoning of the Common from public open space community facilities, Essop said: "My decision addresses the triple bottom line of sustainable development, which ensures environmental integrity, economic development and social justice."

She said she believed that negative environmental impacts put to her in 23 appeals against her department's environmental Record of Decisions would be adequately mitigated.

Zille stressed that the proposed plans for the Common would still need the approval and backing of all role players and the necessary statutory approval.

This approval included Friday's rezoning by provincial government and a "consent of use", which must still be given by the city council.

"On a project of this magnitude there are various work streams, each with their own objectives, management teams and timelines.

"The overarching strategy must be to keep everything happening at the right time, in the right sequence," the mayor said.

"But we cannot pre-empt the primary decisions, which must be taken on a basis of factual and objective evaluations, on the rezoning and consent usage, for example."

Referring to facilities around the proposed new stadium, Zille said the current proposal was for the realignment and upgrading of the entire Common into a dedicated sport, recreational precinct and huge park on par with the best parks in top world cities.

Zille said the new park would be landscaped and trees planted to include attractive public open spaces. It would become a significant "green lung" for Cape Town.

Including the sports fields and other recreational facilities, the park would consist of 70 hectares of land. This did not include the 16 hectares that would be occupied by the new 2010 stadium that would also include recreational facilities.

Referring to the old stadium that is to be demolished, Zille said the medium term plan was to construct a dedicated athletics track on the site of the old stadium - but this plan depended on a range of other approvals being granted.

"One of the reasons so much work is going into planning a stadium is precisely to ensure that it does not end up a white elephant after the World Cup. We have brought in top independent consultants to undertake a risk analysis at every step of the way - and one of the key risk factors we have to avoid is the white elephant outcome.

"We are going out soon on a call for proposals for the operator of a stadium and the key will be finding a long term operator with a viable plan."

Zille said it should not be a foregone conclusion that the construction of a new stadium did not make financial sense for the city.

"We will be spending around R400-million on the stadium in return for a massive investment from central government in both the stadium and infrastructure. If the interest of potential operators is anything to go by, this development could have long-lasting impact on the city."

She said there was already significant interest from entrepreneurs with ideas for post 2010 use of the stadium.

"We will be evaluating all the proposals within the broader context of retaining the rest of the Common as a viable sport precinct and urban park."

The city's 2010 spokesperson, Pieter Cronje, said demolition of the old stadium would probably start towards the end of the month and should take about six weeks to complete. Dismantling and removing doors, chairs and other equipment would start this weekend.

But, despite the progress and the rezoning approval on Friday Environmental and Planning MEC Tasneem Essop of the Common from public open space to one for community facilities, the Green Point Common Association remains strongly opposed to the stadium being built anywhere on the Common.

Zille, city officials, planners and legal experts were locked in extended talks with the Association yesterday to find a solution.

David Polovin, chairman of the Association said while residents were strongly opposed to the construction of the new stadium, a compromise could be reached if the role of the private sector in managing and maintaining both the stadium and sport precinct could be clarified and entrenched.

"We believe great care should be taken that the new stadium does not become a white elephant. We believe city officials simply cannot successfully run such a facility. We want private sector involvement, we want a management team to manage and maintain the urban park and sport precinct to the benefit of all."

Referring to the talks with the mayor and top city officials and legal experts, Polovin said he believed the involvement of the private sector would offer a reasonable alternative.

"We hope to reach a compromise that will meet these requirements. But we will ultimately still have to report back to the public, and specifically our constituency, to get a fresh mandate - either to continue opposing or to agree to allow the stadium to be built subject to our compromise proposals being accepted."

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/4106/ellispark1gm0.jpg

Whats with the new roof ?????
They making it look ugly!

Jowell backs 2010 and a Games in (South)Africa
UK planner supports Cape's bid for semifinal

By Anél Powell

While the jury is still out on whether the City of Cape Town and objectors will be able to reach a compromise agreement on the construction of the 2010 stadium on Green Point Common, Britain's Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell, has urged detractors to "get behind it" and support the city's bid to host a semifinal event.

"This is something where there are bound to be cynics all over the place. I say, get behind it. And God speed to the Local Organising Committee."

Jowell, the UK's cabinet minister responsible for the 2012 Olympic Games, spoke to the Cape Town Press Club on Monday about the lessons that can be learnt and shared between South Africa and the UK ahead of 2010 and the Olympics in 2012.

However, she did emphasise the importance of keeping the public informed
DA leader Tony Leon was among the guests who attended Monday's discussion, as well as Paul Boateng, the British High Commissioner to SA, and former mayor Clive Keegan.

Although she has spent the past week in East London working on a soccer outreach programme with the rural community, Jowell has on previous visits met the Local Organising Committee for 2010.

"Last time (we met), we all agreed on the importance of robust budget control."

Referring to London's preparations for the construction of its 80 000-seat Olympic stadium, Jowell said it was imperative that local planners made sure that the Green Point Stadium did not become a "white elephant" after the World Cup.

She said 75 percent of the London structure would be dismantled after the games, reducing the capacity of the stadium to 20 000. Jowell said one million pieces of sporting equipment would be relocated to other sites after the event.

"This is better for maintenance and running costs."

Pieter Cronje, the city's project manager for 2010, confirmed later that the top tier of the 68 000-seat stadium at Green Point would be removed after the event to leave a 55 000- seater venue.

"Two options are being investigated - temporary, scaffold-type seating which can be removed, or more permanent seats which can be removed and used elsewhere after 2010."

Proposed post-2010 uses for the stadium include business suites, conference facilities, a banqueting venue, museum, gymnasium, sports science clinic, games and amusement spaces.

Jowell declined to comment on Cape Town's progress in terms of planning and preparation for 2010.

"It would be discourteous for an outsider to make judgments about local discussions because I know how sensitive these things are."

However, she did emphasise the importance of keeping the public informed about ongoing discussions and projects.

Jowell suggested that failure to do so could result in unnecessary delays. "And time is expensive."

She also urged the media to "(not) lose touch with (their) public" when reporting on 2010 issues.

"Even in East London, the rural community knew that South Africa was hosting the World Cup."

Jowell said the city would only succeed in its bid to host the event if it engaged in "real partnerships" with those involved, and she said there would be greater interaction between the UK and SA ahead of the countries' respective sporting events.

"And I hope it will (not be too long) before Africa gets to host the Olympics."

* This article was originally published on page 6 of The Cape Times on January 09, 2007

Cape Times

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-01-09 01:30:00
© 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.

Polokwane stadium contract to be awarded before month end
WORLD-CUP-STADIUMSThe contractor for the new R797-million Peter Mokaba sports stadium, in Polokwane, will be announced on January 22, with construction expected to start shortly thereafter.

Speaking to Engineering News Online, Polokwane municipality spokesperson Mabilu Mokwalakwala confirmed that stadium construction was scheduled to start on February 5, with completion proposed for December 30, 2008.

The new stadium will have 45 000 seats, a 500-seat VIP area with its own entrance, seats for 1 675 media representatives, 200 TV positions, an 800-m2 VIP reception area and lounge, offices and storage areas, and parking for players and officials.

The Peter Mokaba stadium is one of five new stadiums that will be built in preparation for the 2010 Fifa soccer World Cup, including King Senzangakhona stadium, in Durban, Nelson Mandela stadium, in Port Elizabeth, Mbombela stadium, in Nelspruit and Green Point stadium, in Cape Town.

Late last month, government announced that each main contractor would be ready to move on site by February.

“That will give us ample time to complete the stadiums,” said Finance Minister Jabu Molekti, in December, briefing media on government's preparations for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Environmental Affairs Minister Tasneem Essop last week approved the rezoning application that would allow the construction of the controversial new stadium in Green Point. The Green Point stadium has been rezoned from a public space to a community facilities use zone.

This includes the contested area of the Green Point common and the Metropolitan golf course.

In addition, the new Mbombela stadium, located at Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, which marked the beginning of construction with a sod-turning ceremony, in December, indicated that it would start stadium construction in early January.

The construction period envisaged was 24-months, with completion scheduled for December 2008.

The five stadiums that are scheduled for upgrading are Ellis Park, in Johannesburg, Loftus Versveld, in Pretoria, Free State stadium, in Bloemfontein, Royal Bafokeng, in Rustenburg and the FNB stadium, in Johannesburg.

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'Gateways' to Ellis Park on the cards

Plans to upgrade Ellis Park in time for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup include creating northern and southern gateways to the area, which will give a sense of arrival.

January 9, 2007

By Anish Abraham

GREATER Ellis Park being given an extreme makeover, with the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) implementing rehabilitation plans to beautify the area in preparation for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup.

These plans were presented to current and potential inner city investors at a function on Johannesburg's Urban Development Zone, held in Newtown. In the inner city the agency is focusing on the central business district, Newtown, the Greater Ellis Park precinct and the area around Park Station.
An artist's impression of the Doornfontein Northern Gateway

An artist's impression of the Doornfontein Northern Gateway

According to Agmat Badat, the JDA's senior manager in charge of the project, northern and southern gateways to the Ellis Park precinct will be established, making the area more accessible, safe and aesthetically pleasing.

"This is major entry point into the area and we want to make a statement of arriving into the Greater Ellis Park precinct," he said.

The Ellis Park stadium features on Fifa's list of host stadiums for the 2010 World Cup and is expected to host several group matches. City officials are also hopeful it will be chosen to host at least a quarter final match.

To the north, the agency is targeting open public spaces in the area, as well as pedestrian routes along Joe Slovo Drive, Charlton Terrace, Hadfield Road and Sivewright Avenue in Doornfontein.

The northern gateway upgrade is expected to cost about R21,5-million for the civil work and R3,5-million for the electrical work, with funding coming from the City and the national Department of Transport.

According to Badat, work on the northern gateway and along Siemert and Sivewright avenues should be completed by June. "Environmental upgrades will include improved pedestrian circulation, feature lighting, safety and security features as well as a public art component."

Interventions at the southern gateway, entered through Bezuidenhout and Bertrams roads, are improved accessibility and signage. This is targeted at those coming into the area from OR Tambo International Airport and the city's eastern and southern suburbs.
Environmental upgrade to include: improved pedestrian circulation, feature lighting, safety and security features and public art component

Environmental upgrade to include: improved pedestrian circulation, feature lighting, safety and security features and public art component

The JDA put out a tender related to improving public lighting in the area in the second week of December. "The tender is only for the manufacture and supply of lights, which the contractors doing the construction will take possession of and install," Badat explained.

The agency is improving the urban environment in Johannesburg's inner city through initiatives such as improved, fashionable lighting, improved pedestrian access, benches, improved signage and introducing public art.


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These are definately good news MO.

2010 stadium cost shock


By Linsday Dentlinger

The City of Cape Town is racing against the clock to negotiate a reduction in the cost of building the 2010 World Cup stadium at Green Point, after its top three preferred contractors put in bids at least 30% above council estimates.

The city has put a price tag of R2.49 billion on the stadium.

The top three bidders, Group Five; a joint venture of Murray and Roberts and WBHO; and Steffanutti & Bressan Civils with Constructora do Tamega SA are confirmed to have submitted bids above the budget figure.

Now the city has called in private sector experts to assist with its negotiations.

This latest hurdle puts Cape Town in the same boat as Durban, which has indefinitely postponed the awarding of a tender for its 2010 stadium because bidders came in over budget.

A tender by a consortium of Group Five and WBHO is reported to be favoured in Durban, but the Treasury was not prepared at this stage to make up the shortfall of around 30% to build the stadium at an estimated cost of R1.8bn.

Cape Town's mayoral committee member for finance, Ian Neilson, told the Cape Argus that the city was working flat out to reach a compromise with local contractors. He believed it was a "resolvable problem".

Neilson said he was confident that the city could pare down the tenders.

The council is considering dividing the tender into sections, which could be awarded in phases as work was required.

Neilson said that if local prices could not be beaten down, the city could consider hiring foreign companies to do some of the work down the line, but that the schedule did not allow for their involvement in the initial construction work.

The tender hitch would not delay preparation of he site for construction, and preliminary earthworks could still go ahead as planned next month.

"We are in a time squeeze, but we are examining the tenders very thoroughly.

"We want the best deal for the city, even if it is the national government's money," he said.

"The key issue is to get on site, because time is of the essence. We are working flat out to get to the point where we can proceed."

Neilson said it was crucial that the tender be awarded within the next month, as any delays could mean costs escalating by around R30m a month.

A City of Cape Town official has visited Durban to exchange views on how to deal with their shared predicament.

Murray and Roberts new business executive Tony Matthews said the the city's cost estimates were not known to the company.

"We don't know what the make-up is, but we submitted a price which is realistic with the market," he said.

There had been a dramatic increase in the cost of building material throughout the country recently, which had affected the cost of construction.

Matthews said the thin skills base had affected the labour situation in the construction industry and that recruits often had to be sought from abroad.

Group Five's area manager had not re-sponded to a request for comment at the time of going to press.

The city council had been expected to award the tender for the construction soon after Environment MEC Tasneem Es-sop took a decision on the appeals against the siting of the stadium and the rezoning of Green Point Common from a public open space to a space for community facilities.

She gave the go-ahead for construction to begin, pending the city's approval of the consent use for the rezoned common, which it is due to give next week.

The existing stadium is being prepared for demolition at the end of the month, with the removal of valuable items.

The demolition work is included in the tender contract currently under scrutiny.

The city will advertise the building plans for the stadium towards the end of next week for public comment, before a full sitting of the council is expected to pass them next month.

Published on the web by Cape Argus on January 10, 2007. © Cape Argus 2007. All rights reserved.

End of the road for a proud arena

By Anél Powell

Work has started on the dismantling of the Green Point Stadium, which has over the past 50 years hosted numerous local and international sporting heroes and celebrities.

A team of the City of Cape Town's sport and recreation department this week started removing seats, fencing, roof sheets, roller doors and the irrigation system from the venue.

The previous city administration spent R2-million on resurfacing the tartan track in 2003. A further R2-million was also spent then on "general upgrading" of the stadium which has now been deemed as "unviable" for redevelopment.

The loudspeakers that once reverberated with the sounds of musical legends such as Michael Jackson, Paul Simon and, in 2004, with U2 and others who took part in the first 46664 concert for Nelson Mandela, will also be removed.

Pieter Cronje, of the city's 2010 project team, said on Tuesday that the items removed this week would be stored and re-used at other city facilities.

He said at this stage, no steel was being removed from the stadium structure.

Cronje could not provide an estimate of the value of the items being removed this week, but he said they were "of sufficient value so as not to lose them in the demolition".

Dave Hugo, city project manager for the construction of the 2010 stadium, said the athletic track would be relocated to another facility on the Green Point Common.

Cronje said that, as the demolition of the stadium had been on the cards irrespective of 2010, the city would be paying for the dismantling from its own budget and not from the 2010 allocation.

The city has said it will contribute R400-million to the construction of a new 68 000-seat stadium to be located on part of the Metropolitan Golf Course and Green Point Common.

Cronje said the demolition contractors were expected to be on site by the end of January. The demolition, which would be by mechanical means and not by implosion or explosion, would take about six weeks.

Concrete from the demolition would either be crushed on site to produce land fill material or be used as raw material to build roads.

The informal traders who use the parking lot outside the stadium as a weekend flea market will be moved to an area behind the stadium, said Cronje. He said the city had "reached an agreement" with the traders about the new site for the market.

Traders would also be allowed to set up stalls on a nearby city-owned field.

On January 17 the council will vote on giving final statutory consent for construction of the stadium to begin.



* This article was originally published on page 4 of The Cape Times on January 10, 2007

Cape Times

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-01-10 00:40:00
© 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.

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Green Point gamble

Pearlie Joubert
12 January 2007 12:00

If Gold Reef Resorts helps Cape Town with its budget shortfall for the Green Point Stadiu0m, it might be given the stadium after the World Cup.

Casino operator Gold Reef Resorts has offered to make up the projected R600-million shortfall in the required budget for Cape Town’s 2010 World Cup stadium in Green Point -- in return for casino facilities in the stadium.

Cape Town council sources told the Mail & Guardian that the cost overrun on the 68 000-seat stadium at the Green Point Common was now projected at between R600-million and R650-million on the original R2,5-billion budget.

They confirmed that Gold Reef Resorts, which owns five casinos in four provinces, had offered to fork out the shortfall. The proposed trade-off was a casino and luxury accommodation on the top tier of the three-tier stadium once the World Cup is over.

If the deal goes through, Gold Reef would also manage the stadium and grounds surrounding it in the aftermath of the tournament.

Said a council official: “In effect, this means Gold Reef will be given the stadium after the World Cup.”

The council’s technical director for the 2010 World Cup Team, Dave Hugo, confirmed that the city was in discussions with facility operators including Gold Reef Resorts. “The purpose of the discussions was to obtain information on models, options, successes and failures in the operation of facilities and no details were discussed. A request for proposals will be issued soon, inviting operators to run the Green Point stadium post-2010.”

Neither Gold Reef Resorts CEO, Steven Joffe, nor Maxim Krok, chairperson of the Gold Reef board, could be contacted for comment. Both are on holiday.

The other two facility operators Cape Town has engaged with an eye to carrying the costs of the project, and managing the stadium after the World Cup, are understood to be the Western Province Rugby Union and Dubai World, which is part of the consortium which recently bought the V&A Waterfront for R7-billion.

Council documents show that R1.93-billion of the original projected cost was to be borne by national government, with R400-million put up by the city and R112-million by the Western Cape government. But the bidders -- Group Five Building, Murray & Roberts, WBHO, Steffanuti & Bressan Civils and the Portuguese construction firm Constructora do Tamega -- returned with costings 30% above budget. Two firms said the stadium would cost more than R3-billion.

Tenders in Port Elizabeth and Durban -- where stadiums are also being built to host World Cup matches -- have also come in at up to 30% above the budgeted amount. If the Treasury does not bail out these municipalities, they will have to raise loans -- repayable by ratepayers -- or clinch deals with large commercial enterprises.

Durban has postponed the award of contracts because of the overrun.

Last year Cape Town’s mayor, Helen Zille, said construction on the Green Point Stadium could only begin in January if the national government guaranteed the bulk of the projected expenditure, adding that the city could not afford more than R400-million. “We cannot end up with a situation like in Montreal when the grandchildren of the people who made the decisions for the 1976 Olympics are still paying the bill,” Zille said.

Mayoral committee member Ian Neilson confirmed that the city was still discussing finances with the Treasury. “We’re also talking to other tenderers, but I can’t talk about this. We’re not sure whether Treasury will bail us out given the massive overrun. Getting the best price is critical for us -- this is the biggest tender Cape Town has ever seen,” Neilson said.

Fifa’s choice
A Western Cape government document has shed light on Fifa’s role in driving the Green Point Stadium project, which has become a headache for the Cape Metropolitan Council.

The initial plan was for an upgraded Newlands Rugby Stadium to host World Cup games, but after political intervention, it was decided to propose Athlone Stadium as the city’s preferred venue.

The city spent R322-million on upgrading Athlone, in the hope that Fifa would approve it for a World Cup quarter-final.

A senior government source, who asked not to be named, said that during their inspection in October 2005, Fifa delegates objected that the low-cost council housing around the Athlone stadium would not form a suitable backdrop. “A billion television viewers don’t want to see shacks and poverty on this scale,” one delegate allegedly said.

In a confidential document titled Draft Strategic Plan for the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town, Laureen Platzky, deputy director general in the Western Cape premier’s department, confirmed the chain of events.

Platzky wrote: “During this [2005] visit, the Fifa delegation indicated that they were not willing to consider Athlone … but that they were surprised that Green Point … (was not) the site for the semi-final … as it was the prime location to profile South Africa and the African continent through the world’s biggest football event.

“In their view, neither the Athlone nor the Newlands stadia would be suitable for a semi-final.

“The local organising committee indicated to the provincial and city leadership that should they want the honour and benefit from the not inconsiderable benefits of hosting a semi-final, which would attract well over a billion TV spectators as well as thousands of international fans and their families, not to mention all the lead-up events, product launches, possibly a Fifa congress and high-profile other events, they should consider expanding the Green Point Stadium.”

id prefer dubai world and WPRU instead.

Lobbying for control of PE‘s World Cup stadium

By Max Matavire, Metro Editor

THERE is already jostling and lobbying among the soccer fraternity as to who will manage Port Elizabeth‘s 2010 World Cup soccer stadium still to be built at North End and who will have the naming rights.

The municipality said yesterday that as the 50 000-seater multipurpose facility was being built on council land and with council money, it was municipal property.

However, municipal manager Graham Richards said it was still too early to say what approach the municipality would adopt in the operation and management of the stadium.

He said the matter was under consideration. “There are a host of different approaches we can adopt.

“The council can keep it in-house or lease it to a sporting body. However, it remains a council asset.”

The recently formed Nelson Mandela Bay Soccer Development Initiative says it should be given the management of the stadium as it consists of all the relevant stakeholders in the development of soccer.

The initiative has members from business, the municipality, Safa EP, and those who are passionate about soccer, who are represented by a group called Friends of Soccer.

Richards gave examples of other stadiums which belonged to local authorities but are being run by private professional companies. Among these are Loftus Versveld in Tshwane and Newlands in Cape Town.

During his presentation at the launch of the initiative last year, former Coca-Cola Sabco chief executive Martin Jansen, who has since been transferred to China, said the initiative would have a proper structure consisting of a board of directors, a chief executive, and staff to do the daily management, and six sectors aimed at developing soccer.

Coca-Cola is one of the six big companies which have agreed to pump in R5-million for four years to start the soccer development project. It will involve schools, the building of a soccer academy, development of amateur and youth soccer, and the building of infrastructure. The other five are Vodacom, Daily Sun, Continental, VWSA, and FNB.

Jansen said the soccer initiative should manage the stadium.

“The metro should provide infrastructure and funding. It should make the stadium available to the initiative which exploits the venue, and any revenue above the ‘normal‘ rental remains in the initiative,” he said.

Those involved in the initiative will hold a meeting on Wednesday when nominees for the chairmanship of the board, the chief executive, and five other senior posts will be submitted.

Some of the names for the chairmanship being bandied around are those of Safa EP public relations officer Boya Chetty, former mayor Nceba Faku, and northern areas sports personality Godfrey de Kock.

Richards said the stadium was currently called the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Multi-Purpose Stadium. “However, the council has the right to sell the naming rights if it so wishes.”

mmatavire@johnnicec.co.za
Previous

I dont think Gold Reef would be allowed to give the short fall and put up a casino simply because the existing casino licence for CT has been secured by Grandwest, and any new casino would be years (if ever) away and would require many many months of negociations with the gambling board. so not a likely option at all.

I dont think Gold Reef would be allowed to give the short fall and put up a casino simply because the existing casino licence for CT has been secured by Grandwest, and any new casino would be years (if ever) away and would require many many months of negociations with the gambling board. so not a likely option at all.

Even so, a private operator is always going to be best. They have the marketing team and the connections and the ambition to really make the stadium a success. Of course the stadium will remain a stadium and host sports event. The city will not hand over the stadium without requirements that the facilities and podium and urban park are made available for use by the public. A private operator ensures the financial future of the venue in most cases that is. The "huge" drama/outbust by the GPCA and co. shows a real lack of understanding and at times ignorance regarding the management of sports venues...especially in south africa where gvt fails to maintain sports facilities.

Who foots the bill for Durban 2010 stadium?

By Bongani Mthembu

Ethekwini manager Dr Mike Sutcliffe is keeping his cards close to his chest on whether ratepayers will foot the bill for construction of Durban's new World Cup soccer stadium.

This comes after weekend reports that Fifa's new demands for additional facilities at the stadiums, and the escalated cost for construction of the King Senzangakhona Stadium, would force the city to fork out from its coffers to cover shortfalls.

The Sunday Tribune reported that eThekwini wanted the central government to cover the cost of the stadium, but the national treasury was still only offering the city R1,8-billion for stadium development and other World Cup upgrades for the city.

Sutcliffe on Sunday refused to say whether the city would end up footing the bill.

'There is no need to panic'
"The national government, the province, the city and the businesses will cover the cost. Everything is under control and there is no need to panic," he said.

The preferred bidder for the stadium, Group Five/WBHO-/Pandev JV, is believed to be asking R1,8-billion, excluding VAT, for construction, and there is fear that costs might escalate to more than R2-billion.

The initial estimate cost was R1,6-billion when the design of the stadium was announced early last year. Escalating cement and steel costs could, however, sink the city's hopes of keeping within the R1,6-billion budget.

Sutcliffe said members of the Local Organising Committee, headed by Dr Irvin Khoza, would be in Durban on Wednesday and that the preferred bidder would be officially announced this week.

Some additional facilities that Fifa demand to be added include back-up generators.

The report said Fifa wanted stadiums to have generators because it had doubts regarding South Africa's electricity supply following embarrassing power cuts in Cape Town in 2004.

Fifa is also reported to have asked for safety evacuation chambers for high profile spectators in case of emergency and strongrooms for VIPs.



* This article was originally published on page 2 of The Daily News on January 15, 2007

Daily News

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-01-15 09:56:00
© 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.

WPA wins demolition postponement

By Lindsay Dentlinger

The Green Point Stadium is to be only partially demolished for the time being, to allow for continued athletics usage.

The city and Western Province Athletics agreed on Friday that a section of the grandstand would be retained for at least another six months, while a grassed embankment would be built to encircle the rest of the track where seating has been removed.

This follows complaints by the WPA that it had been sidelined from the decision to demolish the stadium without alternative provision being made for athletics.

'It had to be a public decision whether to demolish the rest of the existing stadium'
Demolition work is set to start at the end of January.

A decision to demolish the stadium completely will only be taken after a public participation process ordered by the provincial environment, planning and economic development department.

City 2010 director Dave Hugo said the city would, at the request of WPA, consider designing the new 2010 stadium in such a way that it would be able to temporarily host major athletics events should the need arise.

He said it had to be a public decision whether to demolish the rest of the existing stadium and accommodate athletics facilities elsewhere on Green Point Common instead.

Hugo said: "The stadium is in poor condition. We agreed on that. So we are only partially demolishing it for now."

The area demolished will be used as a builders' yard for construction workers.

WPA appealed to Environment MEC Tasneem Essop to retain an athletics facility on the common after it felt that the city had not consulted it on the demolition. WPA acting president James Evans said he was satisfied with the latest agreement with the city.

The athletics clubhouse of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology is also housed within the Green Point Stadium and negotiations are still under way to accommodate the club elsewhere.

Evans said the WPA disagreed with views that an athletics track could not be accommodated in an arena designed for ball sports, and said this had been achieved at other international stadia.

Evans said the WPA welcomed Essop's decision that an athletics facility be retained on the common.

The city still has three weeks to design a public participation process, which meets Essop's approval, to chart the future for the reorganisation of the common.

The environmental record of decision requires that all existing facilities on the common be accommodated in the design of the urban park.

Meanwhile, Hugo says negotiations with the more than 20 leaseholders on the common are progressing well.

Negotiations with a key leaseholder, the Metropolitan Golf Club, have reached the stage where a final agreement can be reached.

The Hellenic Club, another key leaseholder, has also agreed to move.

Hugo said the club would be compensated for the renovations and the property was likely to be sub-divided to accommodate other leaseholders whose club buildings needed to be demolished to make way for the new stadium.

Hugo expected to reach agreements with the majority of leaseholders within the next three months.

He said all the leaseholders were in support of the construction of the new stadium and accepted that they were expected to relocate.



* This article was originally published on page 5 of The Cape Argus on January 15, 2007

The Argus

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-01-15 10:50:00
© 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.

M&R, WBHO to build Cape Town 2010 stadium
STADIUMSA joint venture between construction firms Murray & Roberts (M&R) and Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the construction of Green Point stadium, in Cape Town, a city spokesperson said on Monday.

The controversial Green Point stadium, which will be built on the Green Point Common, is one of five new stadiums that will be constructed for the 2010 soccer World Cup, while five other stadiums will be upgraded for the event.

City of Cape Town 2010 spokesperson Pieter Cronje confirmed that the city would start drawing up the contract on Tuesday.

“We want to negotiate on the tender and have the final contract awarded within a few weeks,” he said.

After several delays, the city is keen to get the process under way and wants construction work to start before the end of March.

The existing Green Point stadium is to be demolished this month.

National Treasury has indicated it will provide R1,93-billion for the new stadium's construction, the city council will provide R400-million and the Western Cape provincial government R112-million.

However, confirming earlier reports, Cronje said that all the tenders were over the R2,49-billion budget, but that the Murray & Roberts and WBHO tender offered the lowest costs.

He told Engineering News Online that, excluding contingency and VAT, the M&R and WBHO joint venture had tendered R2,745-billion on the construction of the Green Point stadium, while rival construction firm Group Five came in at R2,85-billion and a Steffanutti and Bressan Civils joint venture with Constructora do Tamega posted R2,75-billion on the tender.

He also announced that, apart from the tender price, criteria such as experience, resources, major stadium projects, internal skills development and training programmes and the availability of senior management for the project, was taken into account.

“All the bidders have fulfilled this to a greater or lesser extent and all were scored on the criteria.” Out of a score of 40, the M&R-WBHO joint venture scored 33,6 points, while Group Five scored 25,4, with the Steffanutti and Bressan Civils JV with Constructora do Tamega posting 22 points.

Cronje, who reiterated that the preferred bidder was chosen on criteria scoring and price, said that the most obvious project challenges were time and money.

“We have to ensure that the cost is fully catered for before the tender is finalised,” he said - the stadium is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009.

“At this stage, we are confident that the project is doable.” With a capacity of 68 000 people, the Green Point stadium, will be used for first-and second-round matches during the 2010 soccer World Cup.

The construction of the stadium was delayed because some Cape Town residents objected to its building in the area on the grounds that it would have negative environmental effects and encroach on one of the city's last public green spaces.

However, earlier this month, Western Cape Environmental Affairs Minister Tasneem Essop approved the rezoning application that would allow the construction of the stadium.

WBHO shares gained 0,69%, to R72,50 a share, by 16:37 on Monday, while Murray & Roberts shares were trading up 0,27%, at R41,35 a share.

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Joburg on track for 2010 - mayor

Johannesburg's preparations for the 2010 Fifa World Cup were on time and within budget, mayor Amos Masondo said on Wednesday.

"Let me assure you that our plans and preparations are on track, on time and within budget," he told a sod turning ceremony at the FNB stadium.

With 1240 days before kickoff of the opening match at the FNB stadium, Masondo said the contractor had undertaken to finish the stadium by March 18, 2009.

It would be reconstructed at a cost of R1,5-billion and seat 94 000 people, up from the present 70 000.

From the upgrades of the FNB and Ellis Park stadia a host of benefits would flow, said Masondo.

Communities would be upgraded and safety and security and infrastructure improved at a total cost of about R6,3-billion.

This would include 4000 metro police officers by 2010.

Said city manager Mavela Dlamini: "2010 is not a destination, it is just a milestone towards better things."

The contractor for the FNB stadium was announced as a joint venture of Grinaker, LTA and Interbeton. - Sapa

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'Green Point make or break for city'
Cape Town's share of the considerable Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup benefits depend entirely on the new Green Point Stadium, mayor Helen Zille warned on Wednesday.

"Residents and specifically objectors to the stadium must be quite clear about the choices we face," she told a special council meeting.

"According to the Local Organising Committee and the contract we have as host city with Fifa, we either build the Green Point Stadium in time or we will lose the World Cup for Cape Town."

No-one should think for a minute that if building the new stadium was stopped, by legal or other means, Cape Town would still have a "plan B" semi-final elsewhere.

"Do not think that we will still get the money committed for the stadium for other projects.

"Do not think that the billions of rands of 2010-linked investments would still come if we are not a host city.

"What I am saying is not a threat or intimidation. These are simply facts that we must consider.

"We have meticulously followed due process and statutory requirements in order not to prejudice or jeopardise the planning and preparation for the stadium.

"We respect people's legal rights in terms of the Constitution and the law, and the decision is up to them. But it would be a tragic pity if this investment opportunity for our city were lost."

Zille said she did not believe the residents who objected were willing to throw away this opportunity to have state-of-the-art sports facilities, a magnificent urban park and a well-managed green lung in the city.

"This is the best chance that we have of ensuring that outcome."

There could be no moral justification for this level of investment in an area such as Green Point, given the great development needs in other parts of the city, such as Khayelitsha, Mitchell's Plain, Gugulethu and Athlone and many others.

In the normal course of budgeting, Green Point would not get this kind of investment.

The Green Point stadium was getting this funding only because Fifa wanted it to be the World Cup venue and it was part of an approved business plan, Zille said. - Sapa
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More park for Cape Town

Extra R55m to boost Green Point development

By Anél Powell

The City of Cape Town will allocate an additional R55-million towards the development of an urban park on Green Point Common in an attempt to assure residents that the upgrade will not be overshadowed by the construction of the 2010 stadium.

Ian Neilson, mayoral committee member for finance, said on Tuesday that the budget for developing the Common would be increased from R65m to R120m when the adjustments budget was decided at the end of the month.

"We want to give the assurance that there is enough money on the table so that not only the stadium will be built."

Neilson said that, given concerns about the delay in awarding the construction contract because of the above-budget tender being offered, the city wanted to ensure the development of the rest of the Common did not fall behind.

Other concessions included a recommendation by the mayoral committee that the council agrees to establish a forum to give representatives of Mouille Point, Green Point, Granger Bay and others a say in the future of the Common.

David Polovin, of the Green Point Residents' Association, said while these changes were a step in the right direction, it was too soon to say a satisfactory agreement had been reached.

He said the formation of a representative forum had been set out in Environment, Planning and Economic Development MEC Tasneem Essop's decision. But the association wanted the city to "flesh out properly" what this forum would entail.

Polovin commended the city for increasing its allocation by more than R50m, which he said came after the association had requested that R150m be set aside for development.

"We are now waiting anxiously for the city to sign a memorandum of understanding." The association has threatened to take legal action

* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on January 17, 2007

Cape Times

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-01-17 01:40:00
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January 17, 2007, 16:15

Cape Town's share of the considerable FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup benefits depend entirely on the new Green Point Stadium, Helen Zille, the mayor warned today.

"Residents and specifically objectors to the stadium must be quite clear about the choices we face," she said. "According to the Local Organising Committee and the contract we have as host city with FIFA, we either build the Green Point Stadium in time or we will lose the World Cup for Cape Town," said Zille. Zille said no-one shall think for a minute that if building the new stadium was stopped, by legal or other means, Cape Town will still have a "plan B" semifinal elsewhere.

Zille said she does not think that they will still get the money committed for the stadium for other projects. She said she doubts whether the billions of rands of 2010-linked investments will still come if they are not a host city. "What I am saying is not a threat or intimidation. These are simply facts that we must consider," she said. Council had meticulously followed due process and statutory requirements to avoid prejudicing or jeopardising planning and preparation for the stadium.

Investment opportunity
"We respect people's legal rights in terms of the Constitution and the law, and the decision is up to them. But it will be a tragic pity if this investment opportunity for our city were lost," she said. Zille said she did not believe the residents who objected were willing to throw away this opportunity to have state-of-the-art sports facilities, a magnificent urban park and a well-managed green lung in the city. "This is the best chance that we have of ensuring that outcome," she said.

The Green Point stadium was getting this funding only because FIFA wanted it to be the World Cup venue and it was part of an approved business plan, Zille said. She repeated her commitment not to proceed on a path that will bankrupt the city. The city will make a capital contribution to the stadium of R400 million. The total anticipated investment in transport was R6.5 billion, of which R3.5 billion had already been secured. The national and provincial governments were likely to contribute the lion's share of R 6.3 billion.

Provincial and national government will contribute R1.8 billion to road-based public transport infrastructure. Rail-based transport upgrades will amount to R1.7 billion, the airport upgrade would include R1.2 billion in infrastructure investment, while R1.4 billion would be spent on the bus and taxi rationalisation and recapitalisation. R200 million would also be spent on pedestrian and cycle facilities.

The city had so far met every deadline
From the private sector, the V&A Waterfront had plans to invest R7 billion, much of which was linked to 2010, with six new hotels to be constructed. The city had so far met every deadline set in terms of the step-by-step timing schedule agreed to with Ebrahim Rasool, the Premier in October.

The Green Point Common Association in the Cape Peninsula said they are negotiating with the council to make sure that the construction of the stadium will be beneficial to both parties. A special City Council meeting has ratified the rezoning and building of the 2010 Soccer stadium. Late last year, the association launched an appeal against the rezoning of the area to accommodate the bigger stadium.

JP Smith, the spokesperson for the association, said most of the residents in Green Point and Sea Point do not support the building of the stadium. Smith said the bulk of the residents still feel that Green Point is not the right location for the stadium and the stadium shall have been built elsewhere. - Additional reporting by Sapa
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Green light for Soccer City's R1,5-bn World Cup transformation
CONSTRUCTORS are to spend the next two years turning Joburg's FNB Stadium into a world-class venue, ready to host the opening and final matches of soccer's most important showpiece.


January 17, 2007
By Lucky Sindane

IT'S all systems go, with the much-anticipated upgrading of Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium ahead of the Fifa 2010 World Cup getting under way


Johannesburg's executive mayor, Amos Masondo, officially handed the stadium over to constructors Grinaker LTA during a ceremony on 17 January, at Nasrec to the south of the city.



Getting ready for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup: VIPs and City officials look on as Johannesburg executive mayor Amos Masondo turns the first sod for the upgrade of the country's premiere soccer venue, FNB Stadium.

Members of the mayoral committee, a number of senior City officials and soccer legends also attended.

"The R1,5-billion set aside for the reconstruction of was approved by the council in December last year. This amount is subject to contract negotiations and identification of additional resources. Ten percent of this budget will reinvested in the local economy," said Masondo.

FNB Stadium, more popularly known as Soccer City, is a key venue for the 2010 World Cup, having been put forward by the bid committee as the venue for both the opening match and the final.

Built in 1987, Soccer City currently has a capacity of 80 000, which will be increased to 94 000 by March 2009. The two-tiered stadium will also have an encircling roof added - one of the major construction projects.

"The contractor has committed to completing the construction of the stadium by March 2009," said Masondo.

The stadium development will also create hundreds of jobs, as it would require numerous contractors and subcontractors. "Once this development is complete there will be a need to maintain and manage this facility," added the mayor.

The City has also identified a number of training venues some of which are currently being upgraded, including Orlando Stadium, Dobsonville Stadium, Rand Stadium, the Cecil Payne Stadium in Roodepoort, Rabie Ridge Stadium and Ruimsig Stadium.

Both Orlando and Dobsonville stadiums already meet Fifa's standards in terms of the number of spectators they can accommodate, the safety standards, medical facilities, flood lighting and media requirements.

Masondo said that a further R337-million has been allocated to upgrade the Orlando Stadium and its surrounding precinct and R69-million for the Dobsonville Stadium and its precinct, over a period of three years.

An additional amount of R227-million has been budgeted to bring the four other stadiums and surrounding precincts up to the required standards.

"For us in the City, this Soccer City project is also part of the bigger programme of restoring the dignity of our people. We therefore have no intention of compromising on quality," Masondo said.

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2010 lead stadium work begins

18 January 2007

The site of Johannesburg's FNB Stadium has been handed over to the builders for a R1.5-billion revamp that will increase its capacity to 94 000 seats - under a roof that leaves the soccer pitch itself open to the sunlight - as South Africa gets down to work in preparation for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

Plans for the construction of four stadiums and upgrading of six others in South Africa's nine 2010 host cities has been completed, and their funding secured, and construction work on all the venues is due to begin over the next few months.

The FNB Stadium - also known as Soccer City - will host the World Cup opening ceremony, first match and final game, as well as five first-round matches, one second-round match and one quarter-final.

The contract for revamping the stadium was awarded to Grinaker-LTA Construction, a subsidiary of JSE-listed The Aveng Group, in a joint venture with Interbeton bv, part of the Royal BAM Group from Holland.

According to the SA Press Assocation (Sapa), German company HBM Stadien-und Sportstaettenbau GmbH - a specialist stadium construction company involved in the 2006 World Cup, and also part of the Royal BAM Group - will be contributing its expertise.

Construction is scheduled to begin in two weeks, and the stadium is expected to be completed by the end of March 2009, Sapa reports.

Speaking at Wednesday's handover and sod-turning ceremony, Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo said the city was "ready and prepared to take on the challenge of hosting all relevant events and matches."

R1bn for 2010 legacy projects
Masondo announced that the city had set aside R1-billion for legacy projects aimed at ensuring that Joburg continued to benefit from the World Cup long after the final whistle was blown.

Seven legacy projects had been identified, Masondo said, in order to "stimulate economic and social development in previously neglected areas".

One of the projects will involve the replacement of inner city public utilities such as outdoor refuse bins, benches, vendor stalls, play areas, pathways and ablution facilities.

Others include upgrading undeveloped soccer fields across the city; greening Klipspruit River and its tributaries in Soweto; and building an indoor sports centre complete with Olympic-sized swimming pool and gymnastics hall in Soweto.

R385m for safety and security
Masondo added that Johannesburg had allocated about R385-million for safety and security during the World Cup.

"Safety and security planning for 2010 is at an advanced stage," he said. "The city will be extending the … closed circuit television camera surveillance system throughout the city and linking this with a national database containing biometric data."

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department would train and employ 500 new officers every year, he said, increasing its total number of officers to 4 000 by 2010.

At the same time, the city's safety plans would be integrated into the country's national 2010 security strategy, and Joburg's metro police would be working closely with the South African Police Service and the national intelligence community.

"We want to host a people-friendly and incident-free World Cup and ensure that visitors enjoy the many sights of Johannesburg in a safe and secure environment," Masondo said.

"Let me assure you that our plans and our preparations are on track, on time and within budget. We are ready, we are willing and we are able to host the showpiece events of the world's greatest sporting spectacle."

SouthAfrica.info reporter, BuaNews and City of Johannesburg

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Council gives thumbs up for 2010 stadium

By Anél Powell

The City of Cape Town has approved the application for Green Point Common land to be used for the 2010 World Cup stadium and has agreed to the partial demolition of the present stadium.

During the debate at a specially convened meeting on Wednesday, executive mayor Helen Zille warned that delays arising from objections to the construction of the stadium would cost the city "billions of rand (in) 2010-linked investments".

"No one should think for a minute that if the building of the new stadium was stopped, by legal or other means, Cape Town would have a plan B semi-final elsewhere," she said.

'There are no delays'
"Do not think that we would still get the money committed for the stadium for other projects. What I am saying is not blackmail or intimidation. These are simply the facts."

The right of the Green Point Common Association and others to object to the stadium being built on part of the common would be respected, said Zille, but "it would be a tragic pity if this investment opportunity for our city were lost".

She reiterated that the city would not agree to a special purpose vehicle or partnership structure being created to manage 2010. This would have more disadvantages than benefits for the city, among them the handing over of political control to the provincial government.

Fifa's agreement was with the city, so the council should remain responsible and keep control over the expenditure for 2010, Zille said.

The council voted in favour of the consent use for a place of assembly, incorporating a multipurpose stadium on the common, as well as the building of an electrical substation.

The partial demolition of the Green Point Stadium was also approved.

Ian Neilson, mayoral committee member for finance, strongly denied suggestions made during the meeting that the city was behind schedule.

"We have seen that there is a campaign (of claims in the media) that Cape Town is (behind). There are no delays."

The city's concern about the tendered prices exceeding the budget was no different from Durban's.

ANC councillor Joseph Thee asked Zille whether emerging contractors and smaller businesses would be recognised in the awarding of contracts for 2010.

Zille said it was not the city's goal for a "handful to get super-rich". While every effort would be made to include the poor and disadvantaged, patronage would not be tolerated, she said.

Koos Bredenhand (ANC) said stripping of the Green Point Stadium had begun before there had been sufficient consultation. He said the materials and items being removed should be given to needy organisations and communities.

Neilson said non-governmental organisations had been approached about taking these.

A decision about which section of the stadium would be preserved would be made after public consultation, he said.

Funding of the partial demolition of the stadium would be included in the total construction costs, he said. Funds for the construction could include money from the city, province or national government.

The only vote against the recommendations was by J P Smith (DA), councillor for the ward that includes Green Point. He said he was required to vote according to his constituency's mandate.

David Polovin, chairperson of the Green Point Common Association, said a public meeting would be held next Thursday to decide whether the association should continue with objections to the building of the 2010 stadium on the common and take legal action against the city.



* This article was originally published on page 3 of The Cape Times on January 18, 2007

Cape Times

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-01-18 06:23:00
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Free State stadium plans on track

22 Jan 2007 - Inet Bridge -

Alterations to Bloemfontein's 2010 Fifa World Cup stadium in the Free State will start in July, but beds still seem to be the biggest problem, the Mangaung Host City organisation said on Thursday.

"The most important issue for us is the upgrade of the stadium," said George Mohlakoana, chief executive of Mangaung Host City.

He said the city would receive R221 million from central government to complete upgrades, which included increasing the spectator capacity of the stadium from about 38,000 to 48,000.

Mohlakoana said the original cost estimates were R280million

"We had to go back to the board and redesign our plan. We revisited the design and brought the cost down to R245 million. The city has decided to stand in for R24 million," he said.

"Other upgrades include floodlights, a public address system, closed circuit TV for in and around the stadium, and media facilities," he said.

Mohlakoana hoped the tender would be advertised next month and in March and awarded in May.

The Free State's capital city however faces a huge shortage of beds for soccer visitors.

"Accommodation is the biggest challenge facing us," he said.

The city has only about 6,500 beds in the tourism sector, but about 20,000 beds are required.

Mohlakoana said they would link up with neighbouring cities like Kimberley and Maseru in Lesotho to solve the problem.

"We are also working on ideas for home-based stay, where residents make their homes available to visitors," he said.

Sowetan

^^ Lets all go stay in Tannie Marais's tweede kamer...

^^ Lets all go stay in Tannie Marais's tweede kamer...

Hilarious, Dysan! :)
But after laughing, I thought about Bloem's hotel room shortage, and maybe the idea of alternate accommodation isn't so bad. Obviously, staying in a stranger's house would be a last resort for most fans. But, after 2010, what on earth would Bloemfontein do with 20,000 hotel beds?

Perhaps the university needs some new dormitories? Surely there's some solution that doesn't involve thousands of unused hotel rooms after 2010.

Hilarious, Dysan! :)
But after laughing, I thought about Bloem's hotel room shortage, and maybe the idea of alternate accommodation isn't so bad. Obviously, staying in a stranger's house would be a last resort for most fans. But, after 2010, what on earth would Bloemfontein do with 20,000 hotel beds?

Perhaps the university needs some new dormitories? Surely there's some solution that doesn't involve thousands of unused hotel rooms after 2010.

So 13,500 beds are required

* Negotiate with the local Universities and tertiary institutions for at least an additional 4,000 beds
* New hotels rooms: 1000 beds
* Homestay programme for spectators: 5,000
* Accommodation in surrounding cities and towns: 3,000-5,000
* Temporary accommodation in large exhibition halls similar to that used during 2006 World Cup, basic beds and other facilities

Well Grahamstown accommodates thousands of visitors every year for the festival at the university and schools so Bloem should be able to do the same. I'm sure they'll also see a surge in B&B's before 2010 and many people will just fly in for the match then back to their hotels in other cities.

By Di Caelers

State patients at Somerset Hospital can look forward to a new, modern facility and pack away their fears that the institution may be lost amid plans for the 2010 World Cup stadium for Cape Town.

That's the unequivocal assurance from Western Cape health department head Professor Craig Househam, who says the future of Somerset Hospital is definitely not in the balance.

But the facility, which is in need of serious upgrading and refurbishment, will be replaced with a modern, 200-bed district hospital to serve the significant number of Atlantic Seaboard state patients.

'the purchaser will have to construct a replacement hospital'
Househam said on Tuesday that the preferred site for the 2010 stadium in Green Point meant a substantial access road would be built through the grounds of the existing complex.

"The proposal is that the site, including the historical part of the hospital, the nurses' home and the rest of the site towards the V&A Waterfront be disposed of," he said.

"But one of the conditions is that the purchaser will have to construct a replacement hospital according to the specifications of the (health) department."

Househam rejected allegations that the site had already been sold and said the property was expected to be put on the market soon for proposals from interested parties.

Part of the existing Somerset Hospital was a historical monument that would have to be preserved.

But the new alternative for Somerset Hospital could be built anywhere on the large piece of land, which was a prime spot with sea frontage and immediate access to the V&A Waterfront, he said.

"Effectively, whoever buys the land will do so with the proviso that they build us a new hospital somewhere on the property," said Househam.

"That there will be a new Somerset Hospital is an absolute given."

Househam said the new facility would be of tremendous benefit to the patients who used the hospital, which could not provide adequate care at present.

Its casualty department was also "inappropriate", he said.

"I have said repeatedly that we have a significant client base in the public sector on the Atlantic Seaboard, and Somerset is also a referral hospital for the West Coast," said Househam.

"Whatever the proposal is that is finally accepted for that huge piece of land, it will include a new 200-bed hospital."



* This article was originally published on page 4 of The Cape Argus on January 24, 2007

The Argus

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-01-24 11:12:00
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Government to blame for 2010 stadium funds crisis, says DA

Insufficient government planning was behind the crisis in funds for the building of stadia for the 2010 World Cup, the DA said yesterday.

"The insufficient planning is clear in the 2004 estimate of R1.6 billion for the upgrading and construction of 13 and not 10 stadiums," said DA spokesman James Masango.

In 2005, the estimate was R2.5 billion.

"Now, in 2007, the R12bn promised by the National Treasury is still at least R2.5bn less than the cities need to build or upgrade stadiums.

"A glance at these price estimates shows that the rapidly escalating cost can largely be attributed to insufficient planning by the government."

The DA was enthusiastic about 2010, but cities could not be expected to fund this escalation out of ordinary ratepayers' money, Masango said in a statement.

"If cities are forced to spend huge excess amounts, they run the risk of going insolvent or having to postpone, for many years, the badly needed capital development for the benefit of ratepayers.," he said.

"The government must come to the party because, clearly, funds are not a problem for it."

Masango said it was the inability of the government to produce accurate costs that was placing the populace at risk of having to pay for the stadia.

"Government must immediately tell us where the money will come from and how the shortfalls can be financed," he urged.

"The Treasury must find a way to afford the best possible stadiums without taxing the pockets of citizens."

The government had always promised that South Africans would benefit from the tournament and that their quality of life would not be compromised by spending on infrastructure.

"If the cities have to pay for the stadiums, it could totally negate all the positive economic effects that the World Cup should have on our cities.

"This is unacceptable as the ratepayers in the cities will suffer."

Masango said the Treasury should immediately commit to a budget review.

"Should shortfalls reach an extent where the National Treasury has to supplement the building and renovations, then they must do so to prevent ratepayers footing the bill.

"And until the stadiums are finished, regular budget reviews should be held to correct other situations where budgets may have been incorrectly compiled." - Sapa

Published on the web by Cape Argus on January 25, 2007. © Cape Argus 2007. All rights reserved.

Final CT stadium design rests with appointed operator---I hope its dubaiworld

On Monday Cape Town announced that Murray & Roberts and Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon had been chosen as the preferred bidders to build the 2010 World Cup stadium in that city.

Apart from money or budget problems, Cape Town has also been dealt a blow because of some of the residents that are opposed to construction of the new Green Point Stadium.

At present the current stadium is being dismantled and will be redesigned.
Requests for proposals on the operator of the stadium will go out this month, Laurie Platzky deputy director general of strategic projects in Cape Town said.

“It is important to get that done as soon as possible because the final design of the stadium depends on the operator,” Platzky said.

The city is currently negotiating with National Treasury about its request for a contribution of R2bn towards the cost of building the stadium.

Cape Town cut back the stadium’s estimated building costs from R3,3bn to R2,49bn.

The city and the province will provide R500m.

In total, government will provide R1,9bn to improve Cape Town’s infrastructure.

This figure excludes additional investment in transport infrastructure and facilities planned by agencies such as South African Rail Commuter Corporation and Airports Company of South Africa.

Platzky said that road infrastructure is currently being improved between the airport and the central business district.

“The upgrade of Cape Town Station plus the pedestrian improvement between the CBD and Somerset Road leading to the stadium site is already underway.

“Otherwise negotiations on funding for the upgrade of public transport are at an advanced stage and we are waiting for Budget Day to hea

2010: residents back down


By Candes Bailey and Sivuyile Mangxamba

Green Point residents, the arch opponents to the city's plans to build a World Cup sStadium on Green Point Common, have backed down from their position, allaying fears that they might take the government to court.

In a show of hands at a public meeting last night, the Green Point Common Association (GPCA) indicated they supported the construction of a semi-final 68 000-seater stadium, ending months of speculation that Cape Town might have to kiss the World Cup goodbye.

Their position will be taken to the caucus on Saturday morning, where a final decision will be made.

About 300 residents packed into the Sea Point hall, where a committee explained the pros and cons of the construction of the stadium.

At the end of the evening, a show of hands indicated that 103 people supported a compromise, which would see the stadium being built.

Another 73 thought it would be better to take the city to court. There were some abstentions.

GPCA spokesman David Pol-ovin said: "The decision now is that we will not oppose the process but become part of it.

"It's been a tough time for us. We had to deal with different opinions as we had people who were violently opposed to the idea of a stadium and others who favoured it. It was very difficult to reconcile these different interests."

He admitted that he and the association had faced immense pressure over the stand they took regarding the construction of the stadium.

"It was even difficult for the city to negotiate with people determined to go to court," said Pol-ovin, adding that this was all in the past as they prepared now to be the partners in the project.

Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Tasneem Essop said today: "We can now get on with it and deliver a world-class stadium."

Mayor Helen Zille, Cape Town's 2010 administrator, Mike Marsden, mayoral committee member of finance Ian Neilson and councillor JP Smith attended last night's meeting, where they fielded questions from residents.

In an appeal to the residents, Zille said the stadium would be a "win-win" situation for everyone.

Residents wanted to know why the stadium had to have 68 000 seats when other World Cup stadiums were not as large.

They also asked whether the city had asked the majority of soccer's black fans if they wanted a stadium of these proportions.

They were also concerned about the future of the golf course, traffic congestion and what cost they would have to bear after the stadium had been built.

After the meeting, resident Michael Wolfe said he had decided to compromise but that he was sceptical of the council's ability to deliver.

Another resident, Ralph Rosen, felt the show of hands in favour of the stadium would have a tremendous spin-off for Cape Town.

But Leslie McKenzie, a former Fine Music Radio personality, abstained because as a trustee of a block of flats, he felt he needed to consult residents before making a decision.

He said the show of hands could not be regarded as a fair reflection of what the community felt.

Published on the web by Cape Argus on January 26, 2007. © Cape Argus 2007. All rights reserved.

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Parreira lands in South Africa

Carlos Alberto Parreira (left) is welcomed by Safa's Raymond Hack
Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has arrived in South Africa to try to revive the country's struggling national team.

Parreira was greeted by top officials from the South African Football Association (Safa) when his flight from Brazil landed in Johannesburg on Friday.

The 63-year-old, who has signed a four-year contract, made no comment to journalists before being whisked away.

"We have him to have time to rest and settle in," said Safa Chief Executive Raymond Hammond.

He can go and beat Chad 6-0 or be blown out in the first round of the Nations Cup - his main aim is the 2010 World Cup."

Safa Chief Executive Raymond Hack

"He will have a press conference on (Thursday) 1 February."

Parreira was named South Africa coach in July but had refused to take up the post until now because he wanted to spend time with his family.

He plans to hold a training camp between 5-7 February but has yet to give any hints about which players will figure as he tried to prepare the next World Cup hosts for the 2010 finals.

South Africa failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, exited last year's African Nations Cup in the first round and have performed unconvincingly in international matches since.

Parreira has already attracted criticism over his monthly pay package of some US$250,000 but he has dismissed this, saying he received higher offers from other teams.

"People should not expect that he will perform magic," added Hack. "He is here so he can get a job done.

"He can go and beat Chad 6-0 or be blown out in the first round of the Nations Cup. His main aim is the 2010 World Cup."

Parreira's first test will be away tie against Chad in N'Djamena in a Nations Cup qualifier on 24 March.

South Africa currently lie second in Group Eleven, trailing leaders Congo on goal difference after two qualifiers.

According to Hack, Parriera will initially be assisted by two local coaches on a part-time basis until deciding whether he wants to keep them permanently or not.

Parreira, South Africa's 14th coach in as many years, faces many tasks, including persuading top striker Benni McCarthy to return to the national team

New stadium is crazy, says Sharks boss

By Sibusiso Ngalwa

Ratepayers will know this week how much of the R600 million shortfall for the construction of the King Senzangakhona Stadium they will be expected to make up.

But as provincial officials and preferred building consortium Group 5 sharpened their pencils to reduce costs in the face of the national Treasury's refusal to raise its contribution of R1,8-billion, the project, and eThekwini's handling of it, were lambasted by Sharks Chief Executive Brian van Zyl.

"It is a sad state of affairs, really. In the first instance, to fill that stadium . . . where do you have two stadiums together like this anywhere in the world that are viable? I can't think of any. It doesn't make sense. It's crazy," he said.

He described the World Cup stadium as a potential "White Elephant". Citing the running and maintenance costs of the Sharks' Absa Stadium across the road, Van Zyl asked how similar expenses at King Senzangakhona would be met.

'They were negotiating with Group 5 to bring down its price'
The Absa stadium could have been expanded, making it suitable for the World Cup - and at a fraction of the cost of Senzangakhona, he said. It is understood that the preferred bidder, Group 5, has sent proposals to the eThekwini Municipality with a reduced price, after the Treasury's refusal to provide further funding.

eThekwini Municipality head of Strategic Projects, Julie-May Ellingson, told parliament's sports portfolio committee this week that the city was short of R600-million for the stadium. The national Treasury had allocated R1,8-billion to eThekwini for the development - R1,6-billion for stadium construction and R200-million for the precinct development.

But the Treasury reiterated that it would not increase its allocation to the host cities, five of which have sought a total of R2.5 billion more.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier S'bu Ndebele told the Tribune that a task team would produce a report by Wednesday on how the costs of the stadium could be adjusted to keep it within budget. This team comprises KwaZulu-Natal Director-General Mandla Mchunu, provincial head of Treasury Sipho Shabalala, Transport Head of Department Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa, and Sports and Recreation Head of Department Sumayya Khan.

They were negotiating with Group 5 to bring down its price, said Ndebele.

Group 5 KwaZulu-Natal Managing Director Craig Jessop said, "We've reassessed certain provisions which we had made and we have sent proposals to the city, but nothing has been accepted yet. There is potential to reduce the price," he said.

If all failed, Ndebele said that the provincial government and the eThekwini Municipality would have to find ways to meet the shortfall. He was hoping the private sector would get involved too, he said.

"We hope that people will rise to the occasion, because this is the biggest show on earth and we have to take advantage of that. There won't be another soccer World Cup coming to Africa in our lifetime," he said.

"We have to look at how to adjust costs so that we can come up with the stadium within budget. If not, where can we find the money to cover the overflow? Treasury is not coming to the party, as they are finding it difficult to go beyond what they have allocated," he said.

Ndebele was part of a meeting on January 18 which included City Manager Mike Sutcliffe, 2010 Local Organising Committee bosses Irvin Khoza and Danny Jordaan, and Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, to discuss the stadium.

There has been a rumour doing the rounds that the city wasconsidering upgrading Absa Stadium as an alternative.

Sutcliffe would not comment on this. All he would say was that a decision on what was to be done would be made on January 31. "I'm not going to discuss anything right now. The task team has finished their work. All that's left is for a decision to be taken by the political structures," he said.

However, Ndebele said that upgrading the rugby stadium for the World Cup was "out of the question".

"We're going to build this thing (King Senzangakhona); R1,6 billion is a lot of money," he said.

An upbeat Ndebele said the province was confident about hosting a successful World Cup semifinal and would be pushing to be the home ground for five of the 32 competing countries.

Acknowledging that he had heard rumours of a city re-think in light of the Treasury's refusal to budge, Van Zyl said, "We are totally in the dark. We've received no communication - not a phone call, a letter or a fax - since August."

Van Zyl said the municipality had asked the rugby union in August for financial details of its operation. It was given these in September. "We've moved on; we're assuming that the new stadium is going ahead. For us it's business as usual," Van Zyl said.

Rugby suite holders' leases were being renewed at Absa Stadium, some up to 2012. "It would be difficult to move at this stage because of these issues."

But was the union's door still open to negotiations? "In the interests of the city we would be prepared to listen," said Van Zyl.

On whether rugby was interested in moving across to the King Senzangakhona facility, he said it included an athletic track which distanced spectators from the game. A real rugby ground did not have a track around it.

The rugby boss said his union had consulted architects, engineers and quantity surveyors in 2005. They believed they could upgrade Absa Stadium from 50 000 seats to 70 000 for R500 million. "With escalations, the city could do a fantastic job with R1 billion. Now they're talking about R2-billion or more."

Van Zyl said the Absa Stadium cost between R10 million and R12-million a year to run and maintain. "This for a 50 000-seater. Can you imagine what the upkeep of the new stadium (with 70 000 seats) would be?"

At a lunch with Sutcliffe, he said he had floated the idea of eThekwini buying the Absa Stadium. The informal price tag was R400-million. And the proposal was that the city could lease it to rugby.

"He did not seem keen on this," Van Zyl said.

* This article was originally published on page 2 of The Sunday Tribune on January 28, 2007

Tribune

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-01-28 09:00:00
© 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.

Dont understand Brain Van Zyl's rant, I know running costs of ABSA is pretty high & without decent crowd support its not going to be any easier, but thats why SAFA I trying to get one of the big teams to be based in Durbs, namely pirates aka AMA BUCKA BUCKA,

oh and THANKS MO! U A STAR!

Dont understand Brain Van Zyl's rant, I know running costs of ABSA is pretty high & without decent crowd support its not going to be any easier, but thats why SAFA I trying to get one of the big teams to be based in Durbs, namely pirates aka AMA BUCKA BUCKA,

oh and THANKS MO! U A STAR!

thanks for? stadium pics?....well i post them as i get them..

Ratepayers to foot bill for 2010 KZN stadium

By Heinz de Boer

Durban's ratepayers will ultimately have to foot a portion of the R600-million bill for shortfalls in construction of the King Senzangakhona 2010 World Cup stadium.

Head of the municipal Strategic Project Unit Julie-May Ellingson on Sunday confirmed that although negotiations with the national treasury were ongoing, a political decision on what portion would be paid for by the provincial government and council would be made within a week.

Ellingson was quick to point out that the bill would not necessarily equate to a rates and taxes hike, but rather a reshuffling of budgets to free existing funds.

"The Treasury has been very clear that they will not contribute anything further. The province is in negotiations with us to see where we can cut costs, but this will in no way impact on the quality of the product. There are many mechanisms to get the money, but we are not prepared to compromise on the housing or basic services budgets," Ellingson said.

Political concern over the potential impact on Durban's ratepayers comes after what has been described by council insiders as "emotional and heated" negotiations between high ranking city officials and the national treasury in recent weeks. Opposition parties have also reiterated that they would not stand for council passing on its financial burden to ratepayers.

An impasse was reached, which led to Premier S'bu Ndebele forming a provincial task team. The team is currently locked in negotiations with the Group 5 building consortium and is focused on lowering tender costs. Individual steel and concrete manufacturers are also to be approached by the city in a last ditch effort to diminish the deficit. The task team is expected to release its report by Wednesday.

In appearing before parliament's sport portfolio committee last week, Ellingson said escalating construction and building material costs were partly to blame for the city's R600-million woes. A total of R1,6-billion was given to Durban for the actual stadium construction, while another R200 million was to be spent on precinct development.

And while officials scramble to find the most prudent areas in which to cut costs, Ellingson said the stadium's iconic roof would stay, but the proposed cable car along the arch may go.

"There is the misconception that because the roof and design is so beautiful it's also expensive. If fact, we have proved that even if we took off the roof the saving would be minimal. The city has to be competitive if it wants to attract future events, and cannot hope to compete globally if we have a half-baked stadium."

The deficit, financial planning and alternative funding ideas are now expected to be the focus of a fact-finding meeting between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Durban municipal manager Dr Michael Sutcliffe today.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has also joined the fray by calling for a re-look at stadium designs, while the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) said it was concerned at officials being secretive about their contingency plans.

IFP national spokesperson on Sport, Bonginkosi Dlamini, questioned the original construction estimates calling them a "thumb-suck".

"There are innovative ways of cutting costs including negotiations with the preferred bidder and a change in the designs. We are now sitting with a problem that is not of our making, and it's obvious there was a problem with the initial estimations. The IFP is also concerned that the whole process has not been transparent enough. But we cannot afford to not produce what has been promised to Fifa," Dlamini said.

ACDP provincial leader Wayne Thring said while he was confident Durban could produce the stadium within time constraints, a critical lack of information on government and council plans "could breed all kinds of suspicion".

"The ACDP will be asking some tough questions on where the extra money will come from and we hope this will not be another burden to ratepayers. We support the 2010 process as much as anyone else but expect local and provincial government to be transparent and keep everyone up to speed," Thring said.

DA caucus leader John Steenhuisen said: "We still believe national government should do the funding, and it's ironic that at the same time they have placed an order for a new naval corvette.

"The DA is extremely disappointed that national government is not seeing the bigger picture. Provincial government needs to cover the greater portion. Whatever happens, we will not support local government bearing the burden on its own," Steenhuisen said.



* This article was originally published on page 3 of The Daily News on January 29, 2007

Daily News

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-01-29 09:11:00
© 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.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/foreverthestars/meghans%20stuff/south%20africa/IMG_0762.jpg

Stadium going ahead without any changes to design!

RATEPAYERS OFF THE HOOK
Province will pay stadium shortfall
January 31, 2007 Edition 2

Colleen Dardagan

DURBAN'S R2.6 billion 2010 soccer World Cup stadium has received the go-ahead and will proceed largely as originally conceived. After weeks of negotiations, it has emerged that ratepayers will not have to finance the R800 million shortfall.

This assurance was given yesterday as the eThekwini Municipality's executive committee unanimously voted to leave the present design untouched and to press ahead with the development of the stadium, regardless of the large overrun.

The stadium was originally expected to cost R1.8 billion.

It was approved with the proviso that rates would not increase and service budgets would not be compromised.

City Manager Mike Sutcliffe said after a critical meeting with Premier S'bu Ndebele that it had been agreed that the province would assist by putting R300 million into the kitty. The remaining R500 million would come from money already set aside for special long-term projects such as the iDube Trade Port and the people mover, among others.

"National Treasury and the local organising committee asked us if we could build a stadium for less than R1.8 billion, to which we applied our minds - but changing the design of the stadium would have incurred further cost implications without any guarantee that the final figure would come in under the R1.8 billion estimate," he said.

Sutcliffe, who was relieved that the matter had been settled, said this was a vote of confidence in the city's technical team and in the processes put in place to ensure the city met Fifa's stringent deadlines.

The Democratic Alliance's John Steenhuisen said that, while the party had no response from the city for an investigation into how the estimates for the new stadium had been calculated last year, he was satisfied that the city had made the right decision.

"We have appreciated the dialogue from the city manager's office and have investigated the three options very thoroughly.

"The first option to change the design was just not feasible as the abortive costs in calling for new designs, reappointing consultants and reconfiguring the piling would have cost almost the same as the present shortfall.

"The second option to cut back on some of the iconic features of the new stadium was also not appropriate. I believe this decision will protect ratepayers in the long term as the cost-cutting measure would have brought the sustainability of the stadium into question.

"The third option to upgrade the Absa Stadium, which was also thoroughly investigated, just doesn't make good financial sense."

Steenhuisen said the DA would have vetoed the motion in principle if a move to increase rates or a cut in service budgets was mooted.

"We feel very strongly that the national Treasury should be paying for the cost of the stadium and, as such, have requested that it underwrites the risk," he said.

Minority Front representative Jayraj Singh said that as long as service to the community was not compromised, the plans for the new stadium should go ahead.

A full council meeting will be held today at Folweni, near Amanzimtoti, where plans for the official naming of the stadium and the executive committee decision on the funding will be announced.

200 taxi operators agree to quit industry


By Sipokazi Maposa

About 200 taxi operators are to leave the industry from next month as part of the government's taxi recapitalisation programme.

This will reduce the pressure on routes, the overtrading of which has led to bloody taxi wars.

The MEC for Transport and Public Works, Marius Fransman, said the operators had told his department that they were leaving the industry "voluntarily". They are to be given a R50 000 fee for each operational vehicle that is scrapped.

"We've gone the route of inviting taxi operators voluntarily to exit the industry. We have about 9 000 legal operators in the Western Cape. One of our concerns is that some of the taxi routes are overtraded and some operators need to exit."

Fransman said a strong compliance system was in place to ensure that only eligible operators benefited from the programme.

"When people exit they must bring all the required documentation. They must be registered with a taxi association, which must also be registered with the public transport registrar in the province.

"We are putting in physical infrastructure to scrap vehicles. Negotiations are being finalised to secure a site in Parow where all minibuses are to be scrapped. It will be a one-stop site where the deregistration of scrapped taxis, registration of new vehicles and vetting are to be done."

But Fransman warned that illegal vehicles, some of which did not have permits or were not licensed, would be left out, unless it was possible to trace proof that operating permits had been applied for.

Some of these vehicles have major defects, including brakes and ignition systems, and have been described by a Metro Police official as "moving timebombs".

"We are not dealing with illegal taxis," Fransman said.

"We are not going to compromise on that. We've met with the SA Police Service and law enforcement to take such vehicles off our roads.

"Only law-abiding operators are to benefit from the system."

But this is in contrast to a statement made by his department recently. Fransman's spokesman, Eric Ntabazalila, told the Cape Argus a week ago that discussions with the taxi council would give a green light on how such taxis were to be accommodated by the recapitalisation programme.

"(The operators) will be assisted in one way or another," Ntabazalila said.

"So far there has been no discussion about how these cars are going to benefit, but they will not be turned away.

"That is why we need to meet with the council and the scrapping agents to ensure that only those in the taxi industry benefit. The interest for us is to get such (unroadworthy) vehicles off our roads."

But Fransman said not all of these would benefit. The Provincial Licensing Board in Goodwood was fast-tracking the backlog of operating permit applications, and permits were still being issued to qualifying operators. Not everyone who applied would get a permit.

The programme is to be launched on February 15 at the Philippi Stadium, where about 30 vehicles are to be scrapped and replaced with the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Another 30 Toyota mini-buses are to be handed over to operators whose vehicles were gutted by a fire at the Nyanga taxi rank late last year.

"We have invited representatives of all 156 taxi associations in the Western Cape to attend," Fransman said. "We are targeting vehicles that are not in a state that allows them to transport passengers at all. We are not going to force the scrapping of vehicles that are in good condition."

The department has also set aside R5 million for the overall training of executives of taxi associations, provincial and regional councils, taxi owners, rank marshals and guardjies to prepare them for 2010 World Cup rush.

Published on the web by Cape Argus on January 31, 2007. © Cape Argus 2007. All rights reserved.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/60/197027157_addaed8f25_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/199585920_f7862496a8_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/197037199_821041d2c3_b.jpg
Kaizer Chiefs vs Manchester United, 22 July, Loftus, Pretoria

Didnt Chiefs win this one? or was that @ FNB? :dunno:

Yes Chiefs won at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Safa gets key to new offices
The new, R60-million home of the South African Football Association is "the first 2010 project to be unveiled – and it will leave a lasting legacy beyond the world cup".


February 1, 2007
By Lucky Sindane

THE South African Football Association (Safa) is the proud owner of its new state-of-the-art headquarters on the eastern side of Soccer City.

Costing R60-million, the new facilities were officially handed over to the association by the construction company, Phumelela Africa, on Wednesday, 31 January.

The building, with its distinctive football-shaped dome, will be the headquarters of the Federation of International Football Associations (Fifa) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

It has 100 offices, a canteen, a bar and three breakaway meeting rooms that can be converted into one huge hall, depending on the size of the gathering.


http://www.joburg-archive.co.za/images_2007/feb/safa000.jpg
Bafana Bafana's coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and Safa's vice president, Mwelo Nonkonyanna, outside the newly opened Safa House
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)


Danny Jordaan, the LOC chief executive officer, said Safa's new home would leave a lasting legacy beyond the impending world cup. "This is the first 2010 project that we unveil today; football has delivered what it has promised.

"This is a clear indication that the 2010 World Cup will be a successful one irrespective of what people say," Jordaan said.

The complex will be the headquarters of Safa and the Premier Soccer League; will also host the Safa Academy, an elite training facility to groom referees, coaches and administrators.

"This facility is ranked among the best in world - if not the best in the world. This is truly a world-class facility," Jordaan added.

According to the Pretoria News of 18 Jan 07, the Loftus Revamp which includes a roof over the eastern pavillion of the stadium is going ahead.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/1-2.jpg

According to the Pretoria News of 18 Jan 07, the Loftus Revamp which includes a roof over the eastern pavillion of the stadium is going ahead.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/1-2.jpg


But MO, the structure will just remain the same isn't it?

But MO, the structure will just remain the same isn't it?

unfortunately yes...this is the list of upgrades i have received. hope it helps

LOFTUS VERSFELD
UPGRADES
•New Board Halls
•North Entry Upgrades
•South Entry Upgrades
•New Bridge between gymnasium and stadium
•Conference Facilities
•Gymnasium Facilities
•Additional Ablution Facilities
•New Ticket Offices
•Camera Platform
•Additional Lift

•Turnstiles
•Upgraded Concession stalls
•Upgrade existing VOC
•Upgrade and expand existing VIP suite
•Roof over Eastern Pavilion
•New Seats
•New Plant Rooms
•Temporary Facilities for Media
•Dug-outs for Reserves
•Pull out Shelter for Tunnel
•Electrical and Electronic Upgrade

Thanks for the info Mo, that area of loftus is beutiful, but the problem is the parking, therefore the pretoria municipality must make sure that their public transport is up to skretch.

Mo, did you draw that loftus?

Durban 2010 stadium hits new snag

By Tania Broughton

The already tight schedule for construction of Durban's new 70 000-seat soccer 2010 World Cup stadium was stretched further on Thursday when a consortium that lost out on the multibillion-rand contract launched urgent proceedings in the Durban High Court aimed at setting aside the council's decision to award the tender to a rival bidder.

PG Mavundla Engineering and its partner Co-operativa Muratori Cementiti Di Ravenna, a leading Italian construction company with an annual turnover of €600-million (R5,6-billion), claim theirs was the lowest bid "by several million rands" and with its strong black economic empowerment component, it should have scored the contract.

The eThekwini Municipality consented to an order granted by Acting Judge Gregory Harpur, that it would not sign any agreement with preferred bidder Group 5/WBHO/Pandev joint venture before February 12. It agreed to supply Mavundla with all documents spelling out the bid adjudication committee's reasons and minutes of all relevant meetings by Friday.

It also agreed that any work carried out on the site between today and February 12 would be "performed without prejudice" to Mavundla and that it would not be raised as an issue in opposing Mavundla's application.

All opposing and responding papers have to be filed by next Friday and the matter will be argued on Monday February 12.

Ultimately, the Mavundla consortium wants to bypass time-consuming internal council appeal procedures. It is seeking a speedy judicial review of the tender award to the Group 5 consortium and an order setting it aside.

In his affidavit, Philani Godfrey Mavundla, sole director of the company, said the council had set down prequalifying standards for potential tenderers stipulating that they must be registered and have a certain grading with the Construction Industry Development Board.

His consortium, the Group 5 consortium and Laduma Joint Venture had all pre-qualified and had been invited to tender. The tender provided for a points system with price being allocated 80 points, BEE status 10 points and "quality" (construction methodology, building programmes, human resources and domestic subcontractors) 10 points.

The council had asked tenderers to submit two prices: One a "guaranteed" fixed cost of the contract irrespective of price increases of cement and steel, and an "escalation" quote, which did not take into account price increases and could vary during the contract term.

Mavundla said both his prices were significantly cheaper than those of Group 5.

According to documents annexed to court papers, Group 5's fixed price was most expensive, at about R2,19-billion. Mavundla's was more than R100-million less and the cheapest, at about R2,08-billion.

Group 5's escalation price was R2,12-billion while Mavundla came in at nearly R1,9-million, a difference of nearly R200-million.

Mavundla said because of this, his consortium ought to have been awarded the maximum points for the best price.

The consortium should have also scored well in the BEE category because his was 100 percent black-owned and contributed 50 percent to the joint venture.

"I do not know if the council awarded points for quality because it has chosen not to disclose this."

He said while the council had not officially announced that Group 5 had been awarded the contract he had received a letter from the council informing him that his consortium had been unsuccessful.

"On January 18 our attorney wrote to the council, pointing out that we were the lowest tenderer and asking for reasons.

"Because it is important that the matter not be delayed and that the stadium is ready to host the African Cup of Nations in 2008, and the World Cup in 2010, it was suggested that we be given the reasons by no later than January 26.

"We also asked for an undertaking that the council would not enter into any agreement with Group 5 for a period of five days following the delivery of the documentation to give us an opportunity to determine whether we should appeal or review the decision. The council replied that the appeal was premature because a final award had not been made," he said.



* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Mercury on February 02, 2007

Mercury new

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-02-02 08:25:00
© 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.

look what i found :)
kings park videos, some awesome videos of a stadium design
it might be one of the other stadium proposals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J8Z--OMmKA&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeI9VI9iDyo&mode=related&search=

http://www.wmsarchitects.co.za/imgs/Orlando.jpg

^^This is orlando stadium, not Soccer city.........right?

look what i found :)
kings park videos, some awesome videos of a stadium design
it might be one of the other stadium proposals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J8Z--OMmKA&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeI9VI9iDyo&mode=related&search=

looks cool, but plain, 100 seater & it looked like it had room for expansion, so theres 1 plus, the cladding was cool, another plus, the outside fountains were wicked ( I love water). I wonder if this was a real design contender or just someone who messed about?

looks cool, but plain, 100 seater & it looked like it had room for expansion, so theres 1 plus, the cladding was cool, another plus, the outside fountains were wicked ( I love water). I wonder if this was a real design contender or just someone who messed about?
it was a real design entry

Danny Jordaan answers your questions


Last week we asked readers to put questions to Danny Jordaan, CEO of SA’s Soccer World Cup 2010 local organising committee. Here are his answers.


Ian Wood, Roodepoort asks: If England are drawn in the group playing in Rustenburg, how do you propose getting 40000 fans from OR Tambo Airport to Rustenburg and finding them all accommodation? The same applies if South Africa are drawn to play in Polokwane. How will you get 80000 fans to those games?

Very few English fans or any other fans following their teams will arrive on match day. The general practice is that fans arrive in a match venue city before match day or much earlier than the start of the game.


They would normally check into their accommodation first, leave their luggage and then proceed to the stadium.


If fans were to stay in areas like Johannesburg, Pretoria, Sun City, Mafikeng and surrounding towns, they would obviously not be travelling with luggage, and the transport to the stadium would be co-ordinated from the relevant areas. For those flying into OR Tambo International from other SA cities, or even internationally, the transport requirement would thus not be 40000.


Taking from the 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 Fifa World Cup tournaments, many fans do fly in and out of an airport on match day and require transport for transfers to and from the stadium. Buses, taxis, private cars, VIP transfers and car rentals all form part of the plan.


In Dortmund, Germany, for example, there were not enough beds to accommodate the number of fans. Some fans travelled for more than two hours on buses to get from their hotels to the venue.


Fans follow their teams. Therefore, when we consider the match schedules we will carefully assess the teams with huge followings, for example England, as well as teams with smaller followings like Trinidad and Tobago for matches in the earlier rounds. Matches in the quarterfinal, semifinal and final have already been allocated to the big cities.


The net capacity of Rustenburg is 40000, and therefore we cannot have only 40000 English fans in the stadium.


Fans without tickets for a match in Rustenburg will be encouraged to go to fan parks in other cities.


The same applies to Polokwane, which also has a net capacity of 40000. Only the FNB/Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg has a capacity of more than 80000.


The 2010 transport plan is based on the transport needs of the match schedule, and this eventually gets fine-tuned after the 32 countries have qualified and the final draw has taken place in December 2009.


The Department of Transport works very closely with the LOC.



Ahmed Jogee, Mayfair asks: Are you surprised that ex-officials and players from the Federation era, who made so many sacrifices under the Sacos banner, are no longer serving the game, especially now that 2010 is at our doorstep?

Football players and officials from the Federation era served more than just football in our country. They were an integral part of the international and national anti-apartheid movement.


The SA Soccer Federation (SASF), an affiliate of Sacos, and later a member of the National Sports Council, played a major role in the total isolation of apartheid sport and the expulsion of South Africa from Fifa in 1976.


The SASF held meetings with the ANC in exile in Lusaka, Zambia, in 1987, to pursue the path of unity in football and South Africa’s return to international football and eventually South Africa’s membership of Fifa in 1992.


We had to be members of Fifa to make a bid to host the World Cup.


These ex-officials and players made a tremendous contribution to the present reality that SA can now host a Fifa World Cup. It is always sad when such people no longer participate in the public profile of an event such as the World Cup, especially since their histories are so inextricably linked to the current achievement.


Some of them, however, are still engaged in various levels of football. Your question challenges us not to forget and to find ways in which to reconnect current achievements with past sacrifices. Even you may have some ideas. Please let us know.



Joseph Booysen, Cape Town asks: How you are going to utilise the Safa Master trainers for the 2010 World Cup in the Western Cape?

The World Cup must leave a legacy of sound administration capacity for football in our country. The Safa Master Trainers Programme and other administrative programmes are run by accredited universities.


These programmes, together with the Fifa programmes, are designed to build administrative capacity. Our volunteer programme provides an opportunity for registration and further capacity building.


Cape Town is a proposed semifinal venue and we will work with national, regional and local football structures to secure the appropriate levels of skilled personnel to assist in delivering the event.


For some this might be a volunteer job and for others it might be a paid job. The need and demand would determine the category.



Gaddafi Mokoteli, Katlehong asks: How are the district associations — in places such as Wesselsbron and Bothaville — not Joburg because it’s the only association that has serious sponsors — going to benefit from the World Cup?
We have an African and SA legacy programme which was launched in Addis Ababa on Monday by our president, Thabo Mbeki, at the African Union Summit.


This programme will focus on: Recruiting up to 15000 volunteers, providing an opportunity for many people to register; facilities development; administrative training; coaching; and player development.


These programmes will be delivered in partnership with Safa, and all Safa affiliates should benefit.


Rural development remains a key focus area. The president of Safa, Molefi Oliphant, is currently on a nationwide tour, visiting all the regions with the view of establishing the needs, challenges and the methodology of implementation.


A successful event will result in a profit share with Safa, which should result in finance for grassroots football.



Adam Visser, Upington asks: Why didn’t you guys allocate one team to train in Upington for 2010, and please use your influence to get us an under-20 or under-23 match?
We are planning to visit Upington and will address questions like yours with the football authorities. We are further interested in match and training venues, accommodation and tourism matters. The local media should carry the results of our meeting in Upington.



Feizal Nicholar, Port Elizabeth asks: Will high levels of crime impact on the success of the World Cup 2010?

Reducing crime levels is an existing challenge which we should address for our own sake as a nation, irrespective of whether 2010 is there or not.


From an events perspective, SA has a 100% safety record. We have delivered the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, the 1998 Athletics World Cup and we recently had the Indian cricket tour, now followed by the Pakistani tour, the Women’s Golf World Cup, the Super 14 as well as the Tri-Nations.


The point is that we are continuing with major international sports events and our security plan had been tested over the last 11 years.


Some of our security personnel worked with the German security team in the last World Cup. We also participated in a major security symposium in London a week ago, placing our security plan under international scrutiny. This plan received high levels of praise from international security experts.


In any country that hosts an international event, challenges such as crime must form part of the national security plan in collaboration with the hosting organisation.


The above experience and present Fifa World Cup Security Plan gives us confidence that your concern about crime will not impact the success of the World Cup in 2010.


The SAPS has guaranteed to have an events-specific police service of 30000.

R90m facelift for Cape Town station

February 06 2007 at 10:17AM

The Cape Town station precinct is to get a facelift costing up to R90-million in preparation for Fifa's 2010 World Cup, as part of a long-term development plan to transform the area into an effective transport hub, Business Day reports.

Covering more than 22 city blocks, the long-term development plan is for the station precinct to dovetail with other developments in the city's central business district and "bring the city back to the station," said Ian Scott, manager of business development at the South African Rail Commuter Corporation-Metrorail.

Scott said part of the challenge was shaking off the station's apartheid legacy and integrating the three concourses, originally designed to fit the apartheid social model of dividing races, into one transport interchange. - Sapa

Time to Get With the Programme

Cape Argus (Cape Town)
OPINION
February 5, 2007
Posted to the web February 5, 2007

A new word, consisting of four numbers, has sneaked its way into the dictionary of South African English - and Afrikaans.

It's a noun called "twenty-ten" - or "2010" (as some newspaper sub-editors like to refer to it) - and every time it's mentioned among a certain group of people in the Western Cape, it unleashes a thick mist of negativity.

"2010" is the year in which South Africa will host the greatest sporting extravaganza on earth - Fifa's Football World Cup. Without exception, every other nation on the planet that has won the right to stage this prestigious tournament has thrown all its energies into making this month-long contest among the world's best footballers a great success.

But in the Western Cape, sad to say, there are people who are willing the efforts of government and the legions of football fans to end in failure.

They see 2010 as in a "gypsy madam's" crystal ball, predicting trouble ahead ... they want to use it as a weapon with which to scupper political policies they have never - and probably never will - come to terms with ... and they see it as a word that is synonymous with doom, gloom and failure.

As MEC for Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape, I want to say clearly, calmly and loudly: We will not fail in our efforts to ensure that our province plays its part in helping to make the tournament a success.

And I would like to appeal to the hundreds of thousands of those who believe that we have the will, the capacity and the expertise to stage World Cup matches that will wow football fans everywhere, to snatch 2010 out of the mouths of the doomsayers - to claim it as our own and to make it synonymous with "opportunity and growth".

This province will rise to the occasion to stage a special event. But, more than that, our combined efforts will leave a legacy that all South Africans will benefit from for generations to come.

Over the past few months, the Western Cape's transport infrastructure has come under the spotlight.

Critics have highlighted what they describe as a range of weaknesses (many of which centre on issues of safety and security). They claim that we do not have enough time before 2010 to right all our transport wrongs.

I disagree with this line of thinking.

I am sure that my colleagues in Community Safety will express themselves on the safety issues that have been raised.

But from a purely transport perspective, let me state quite clearly that the transport infrastructure of the Western Cape is not a basket case (as some people seem to believe).

It does have weaknesses, certainly - but we have identified these and have devised a series of plans (complete with timelines and a budget of some R7 billion) to rectify problems and to introduce innovative developments in other areas.

Over the next few years, our roads, trains, buses and minibuses will undergo a facelift that will make our transport system totally unrecognisable from what it is at present.

At this point I would like to concentrate on possibly the key player in this group - a player that I believe will be first to set the tone for a new-look Western Cape - the minibus taxi industry.

I don't believe that anyone will disagree with me when I say that this industry has often been its own worst enemy during its rollercoaster ride into South African transport history.

But now it is sitting on the lip of a new era.

Before I explain why, there is a message I would like to pass on - to those who run it, as well as those baying for its blood. And I want to be perfectly blunt about this.

The fight for turf and profit among taxi owners and drivers has been a public relations disaster for an industry that has always enjoyed close ties with the black working-class masses of the Western Cape.

For far too long, we (and especially our Cape Flats communities) have allowed ourselves to become inert witnesses to a grim story - of countless taxi wars ... of reckless driving ... of vehicles kept together with what has seemed to be pieces of string and chewing gum ... of commuters caught in the deadly crossfire of the turf wars.

But recent talks have drawn an acknowledgement from all sides that something needs to be done - and over the next few weeks, months and years something will be done to provide safe transport for the hundreds of thousands of travellers who rely on this mode of transport to take them to work, school and university - and back.

Many people have heard of government plans for "taxi recapitalisation", but not many know what it really entails.

The concept is simple: government and taxi authorities (in the Western Cape) want to create a new, safer, better minibus taxi industry.

As government, we agree that there are mitigating factors for the many problems that currently beset the industry.

Our response has been, I believe, an excellent example of out-of-the-box thinking. We have committed ourselves to drawing the minibus taxi industry into the public transport sector - together with buses.

It forms part of our ultimate aim to bring order to an unregulated, often chaotic industry.

For those who are shaking their heads in disbelief, consider this: the Golden Arrow Bus Company gets a substantial government subsidy for acting as a public transport carrier.

The minibus taxi industry, by contrast, does not get a cent.

Why?

It was born during the apartheid era, when the National Party government refused to do anything to allow it to thrive.

And although it did not thrive, it certainly grew - but in a helter-skelter way. The absence of a subsidy, coupled with the overtrading of routes, has resulted in a tendency among many operators to drive recklessly in their bid to maximise takings.

And even then, take-home pay (a percentage of the overall takings) for the majority of drivers is usually a pittance. The frightening state of disrepair of many of the vehicles is another consequence of a barely breakeven situation.

As the government, we could not allow this state of affairs to continue. Indeed, some would argue that we allowed it to continue for far too long. And so, because we believed that the problems in the industry could be fixed, we decided to act.

Under the new order, the minibus industry will be subsidised.

But where there is give there also has to be a certain amount of take - and in our negotiations we stressed to the taxi authorities that we would require certain assurances from them, with the main one being the need for them to trade in all old vehicles (which will then be scrapped).

We have undertaken to pay owners R50 000 for every old taxi handed in. In most cases, this money will be used as a deposit for a new vehicle. We accept, though, that some owners may decide to take the cash and leave the industry - and we are comfortable with this.

Only the new, bigger and safer vehicles will be registered. Our aim is to remove the old minibuses from our roads because, in effect, they will become illegal.

Our chief concerns will always revolve around passenger safety and comfort - and what taxi recapitalisation proposes addresses both areas.

Subsidisation of the industry, coupled with regulation of routes, removes the need for reckless chasing after passengers; in competition with other drivers, this has been the main cause of the often vicious fights over turf.

And, of course, the new vehicles will also be much more comfortable.

One of the results of taxi recapitalisation is that there will be fewer vehicles on the road.

To offset fears of widespread job losses, we have undertaken, together with taxi authorities in the Western Cape, to help create and grow support industries (in which the taxi industry would have a strong financial interest), such as petrol stations, and tyre distribution and mechanical centres.

We are even looking at creating opportunities in the tourism industry.

Over the next few months, we will continue with the implementation of training schemes for owners, drivers and the ubiquitous gaartjies.

We are as keen as the key players themselves to see it become a customer-orientated industry - to "grow the Cape" and make it a "home for all".

I acknowledge that we have taken on an enormous task, a task that some might argue is fraught with risk. But it is our duty to act innovatively and decisively in order to realise our vision.

I accept that certain members of our Western Cape communities will always oppose what this government does - even when they have absolutely no understanding of the various interventions that we are trying to put in place. They have their reasons for acting the way they do.

But hundreds of thousands of residents of this province are as willing to give our plans a chance as we are to listen to their suggestions and constructive criticism.

To them I say: Let us continue to build a transport system that all of us can be proud of.

German TV boss here to put focus on 2010


By Sivuyile Mangxamba

A German television boss has moved his family - dogs included - to Cape Town ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

WIGE Media SA managing director Stefan Mohr is here to identify and train TV crews.

"We realised that if we are going to be involved with 2010, we would have to be here as soon as possible," said Mohr, who has settled in Hout Bay.

WIGE Media SA is a subsidiary of one of Europe's most sophisticated outside broadcast companies.

Mohr's adventure is an indicator of how South Africa has suddenly become a global focal point ahead of the world's big-gest single sporting event.

Another indicator is that the world's largest business-to-business soccer convention, Soccerex 07, will be held here for the first time later this year.

Mohr's company will be one of the exhibitors at Soccerex, which will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg at the end of November.

Three local organising committee meetings have been in-cluded in the Fifa calendar as well, and the deliberations will attract global attention.

Mohr's company broadcast 17 games during last year's World Cup in Germany.

The company handles more than 1 000 sports productions a year, including the German Bundesliga, the Champions League and Uefa Cup.

As a BEE company, WIGE Media SA is involved in the transfer of skills and technology and Mohr believes that by 2009, it will have made more impact on local television than any other international group.

sivuyile.mangxamba@inl.co.za

Published on the web by Cape Argus on February 6, 2007. © Cape Argus 2007. All rights reserved.

SABC News Online


Stadium 'within reach': Zille
February 06, 2007, 14:00

The cost of Cape Town's 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium has been slashed by over R1 billion to bring it "within reach", Helen Zille, the city's mayor, said. "The reduction from the original R3.7 billion quote to R2.68 billion still left a gap of R180 million," she said.

The city was having "frank" discussions with provinical and national government about this amount and she hoped Cape Town will not have to forfeit the stadium over this amount. "We have to find other sources, but I do not think it will be insurmountable," she said. "I am optimistic that we will take that final little leap to the other bank of the river," she said.

Had the cost not been brought down, Cape Town will have had to kiss the stadium goodbye.

Stadium dimension reduction slashes costs
National government has committed R1.93 billion to the project, the provincial government R112 million, and the city R400 million - an amount Zille says ratepayers will not be asked to top up.

She said the cost reduction was achieved, in two weeks of negotiations between city representatives and the preferred bidder, through what she called "value engineering", making minor structural adjustments, and making the 68 000 seater stadium smaller by about 4m on the radius and 2m lower.

This had been done without compromising FIFA requirements, the conditions of the environmental authorisation from the province, or the functionality and sustainability of the complex.

The preferred bidder is a joint venture between Murray and Roberts and WBHO.

Funding gap major hurdle
Zille said a report on the funding gap had been submitted to the FIFA Local Organising Committee, together with a repeat of the request that National Treasury underwrites any major cost escalation above the 10% provided for in the tender.

Ian Nielson, a mayoral committee member for finance, said the Municipal Finance Management Act prevented the city from awarding the tender before all the funding was in place.

He said the outstanding R180 million will "continue to exercise our attention" over the next few weeks.

The city hoped to make the tender award by February 23. - Sapa
Article printout courtesy of the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
Copyright © 2000 - 2007 SABC. See 'Disclaimer'

Reading other articles stated that 4m will be cut from the radius and 2m from the height, while the roof will be made smaller and the design simplified. that little work will save R1 billion? something tells me that the engineers and quantity surveyors and architects did not do their jobs properly. if small things like that can be done to save R1bn yet still keep the stadium to fifa requirements then one wonders if they even bothered to keep the costs low and in budget at all.

seems rotten

Reading other articles stated that 4m will be cut from the radius and 2m from the height, while the roof will be made smaller and the design simplified. that little work will save R1 billion? something tells me that the engineers and quantity surveyors and architects did not do their jobs properly. if small things like that can be done to save R1bn yet still keep the stadium to fifa requirements then one wonders if they even bothered to keep the costs low and in budget at all.

seems rotten

Raises a good point. The designer obviously did not find the optimal size of the stadium. Considering that a 4m reduction in the radius means an 8m reduction in the diameter, it does make a difference if ure using ETFE membrane around the facade of the stadium and in the roof at a price of +/- $100 per square foot.

anyway..now we'll have a small world cup stadium

Publisher of Engineering News, Mining Weekly and Polity
Consultations to begin on Green Point Commons plans
The City of Cape Town will complete a public participation process on the much-contested Green Point Commons park reconfiguration process, by the end of June, a city official said on Wednesday.

The commons are located in the green space on which the new Green Point Stadium, for the 2010 soccer World Cup is going to be constructed.

The Green Point Commons Association last year threatened legal action against the City of Cape Town over the building of the stadium, citing reasons ranging from fear of congestion and the future of the golf course to an increase in their rates.

Speaking to Engineering News Online, City of Cape Town spokesperson Pieter Cronje said that a public participation programme to the proposed changes on the Green Point Commons with all stakeholders, was scheduled to “start shortly”.

The City of Cape Town would present the proposed plans by July 5, once consultation with stakeholders, including lease holders, users of the Commons and surrounding residents, had shown that the majority accepted the proposed changes.

“We already have a proposed plan drawn up showing all the changes and a commitment for the budget from the City, which has promised funding of R120-million,” Cronje said.

The reconfiguration process will involve giving the Commons a “facelift” by clustering the facilities, such as the scattered sports fields, golf course and stadium, at the centre of the grounds.

“We plan to demolish the old stadium and build a new stadium, which will extend onto the golf course,” he explained.

However, the City agreed to extend the golf course in a different direction on the 85ha Green Point Commons.

Cronje was confident that stakeholders would agree to the proposed plan, as the cash injection of R2,5-billion would be a catalyst to the revitalisation, facelift and maintenance of the Commons, particularly as some of the facilities were neglected and scattered.

“There is quite widespread support from the Green Point Commons Association, who are keen for the Common to be maintained.”

Cost conundrum
Meanwhile, it was announced this week that an agreement had been reached by the City of Cape Town and the preferred bidder – a joint venture between Murray & Roberts and WBHO, to slash the current stadium budget by a billion rand from the original R3,7-billion to R2,68-billion.

However, this still left a R180-million gap.

To bring it to affordable limits, the city negotiated with the preferred bidder “to understand the elements of risk (cost) built into the tender price and to either minimise or eliminate it,” Cronje explained.

“We looked at an alternative mandate and a structural revision on the columns and roof. We have made the stadium smaller and more compact and reduced the height and diameter of the roof and made it smaller.”

He explained that reducing the roof size was a key component, as it accounted for 30% of the cost or one-third of the tender price.

“Risk elimination, value engineering, simplifying the structure and shortening the time has lend to significant cost savings,” he pointed out.

Cronje, who believed that simplifying the structure would reduce construction time, was confident that the preferred bidder would be onsite before the end of March in time for completion by 2009.

^^ why did the initial people not realise that? freaking useless at their jobs

^^ why did the initial people not realise that? freaking useless at their jobs

i wouldn't call GMP useless.

__________________________________________________________________



Fifa frets over 2010 stadiums

By Tania Broughton

Fifa had already expressed concern about delay and "tight timeframes" for the construction of South Africa's five new stadiums for the 2010 World Cup, it emerged in court papers on Wednesday.

A letter sent from Fifa chief Joseph Blatter to local organisation committee chairperson Irvin Khoza on January 12 says Fifa is feeling "rather uncomfortable" about the construction process and the timetables of all five new stadiums.

"In particular it appears that all the time reserves have already been used before construction work has actually started.

"The fact that there is no reserve time as a buffer in case something unexpected happens to a construction of this magnitude makes the situation very difficult indeed," Blatter wrote.

'Estimating the cost of escalation at R300 000 a day'
The letter was attached to court papers filed by the eThekwini Municipality in the Durban High Court on Wednesday, opposing a legal challenge by the failed bidders, the PG Mavundla/Co-operativa Muratori Cementisti Di Ravenna joint venture, to the council, awarding the R2-billion contract for the Durban stadium to the Group Five/WBHO/Pandev joint venture.

Although construction has started at the King's Park site, the entire stadium project is now hanging in the balance and resting in the hands of the judge, who will hear the urgent application on Monday.

The Mavundla consortium wants the court to restrain the council from formalising its contract with the Group Five consortium pending a judicial review of the tender award.

In essence, it says its price was the lowest, its black empowerment element the strongest and it should have been awarded the tender.

Group Five, in its opposing papers, has warned that because of the tight timeframes, the entire project could be in jeopardy resulting in cancelled football matches, lost business opportunities and international embarrassment. Similar sentiments were expressed by Julie-May Ellingson, head of the council's strategic projects unit and the city's co-ordinator of the event, in her affidavit lodged yesterday.

Ellingson said any interim relief granted by the court would threaten the viability of the whole project because the stadium had to be completed by June 2009, fully operational by October and ready to hand over to Fifa in January 2010.

Right from the start "we were running with very little time in hand" and even without any delays through this litigation, the contractor would be hard-pushed to complete the 70 000-seat stadium in time.

"Any interdictory relief followed by a review will lead to a loss of a minimum of seven and a half months . . . and a longer period of time is likely. There is simply no way that the construction schedule can accommodate this and the inevitable result will be that the stadium will not be able to be built," she said, estimating the cost of escalation at R300 000 a day.

Regarding the merits of the application, she said the withdrawal of local construction company J R Ross & Sons from the Mavundla consortium had substantially weakened its bid.

The consortium had been disqualified because of its low score on "quality". "The professional team (which adjudicated the tenders) had no confidence that the applicants would be able to deliver the project as required," Ellingson said.

Some of the problems were that the consortium was weak with regard to local resources and expertise, it had provided for inadequate plant and cranes, its methodology for the erection of the arch bore no resemblance to that set out in the tender document and its methodology regarding formwork, reinforcing and concrete placement was inadequate.

"With regard to price, they were not significantly cheaper. Their fixed price was less than 5 percent better than that of the other tenderers.

"This is not the kind of project where a chance might be taken with a 'cheap' tenderer and an assessment made somewhere down the line to see whether it is delivering."

Ellingson said it had come to her attention that Mavundla had failed to perform on a R5.5 million culvert construction contract in Umhlanga and the contract had been cancelled.

This was relevant, she said, because the stadium tender provided that offers would only be accepted from tenderers which had not previously failed to perform on any contract with the council.

"Should Mavundla succeed on review, the council would now not be able to award a new tender to its joint venture because of this. This would make the contemplated review quite pointless."

tania.broughton@inl.co.za

* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Mercury on February 08, 2007

Mercury new

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-02-08 07:37:00
© 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.

Tshwane council needs R3.3bn for World Cup

By Patrick Hlahla

The Tshwane Council has requested an estimated R3,3-billion from the Department of Transport to ensure the capital city is ready for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The funds will be used for improvements and a number of projects - including Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Hatfield and surrounding areas (R232-million), training venues (R85,8-million), public transport in the northern parts of Tshwane (R285,10-million), access to airports (R23,10-million), the Central Business District and surrounding areas (R1,111-billion), public transport operations and plans (R367,5-million), transport support projects (R77,5-million), Wonderboom airport (R90,8-million), Tshwane Light Rail proposal (R767-million), South African Rail Commuter Corporation rail line and station projects (R56,3-millon) and provincial roads (R196,8-million).

In their report to the council, the roads and stormwater division said the government had committed itself to ensuring that the country hosted a successful 2010 World Cup soccer tournament .

The nine host cities - including Pretoria - have signed agreements with Fifa.

Loftus has been chosen as one of the venues for the 2010 tournament and the local organising committee's technical team for stadiums has evaluated the proposed upgrades for the venue, according to Fifa's requirements.

A task team consisting of officials from sport and recreation, transport development, roads and stormwater, Tshwane police and emergency management has developed a precinct plan for the outer perimeter of Loftus.

The plan addresses parking, access, drop-off zones, the proposed park and ride facilities, shuttle services, transport routes for VIPs, Fifa officials and team members, and helicopter flights paths and helipad.

Plans are currently being developed for parks for fans at the three possible training venues, HM Pitje Stadium (Mamelodi), Super Stadium (Atteridgeville) and Giant Stadium (Soshanguve).

Justus de Goede, the DA's spokesperson on roads, public transport and airports, said they have noted that there was no clarity "at this late stage" on the training venues and parks for fans within the metro area.

De Goede said further delays with decisions from the Department of Transport were likely to make it even more difficult to meet the already tight deadlines for 2010.

"Where the other metros appear to have clearly identified their spokespersons on the 2010 World Cup tournament, I have remarked to the infrastructure portfolio committee that the status quo and progress is not being clearly communicated to public representatives for transmission to the public," said De Goede.

He urged executive mayor Dr Gwen Ramokgopa to open communication channels quickly. "All residents have a stake in the tournament and have a right to know how the city is progressing," De Goede said.



* This article was originally published on page 9 of The Pretoria News on February 08, 2007

Pretoria News

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-02-08 05:58:00
© 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.

It's all ears on Manuel for 2010 host cities

By Sivuyile Mangxamba

World Cup host cities will know their public transport infrastructure fund allocation next week when Finance Minister Trevor Manuel delivers his Budget speech, says national Treasury spokesperson Thoraya Pandy as the host cities finalise plans to start stadium construction.

Manuel committed R15,1-billion last year to finance stadium construction and infrastructure development to improve public transport.

Pandy told the Cape Argus that the Treasury had decided not to divulge how much each host city would get from the public infrastructure fund until February 21, when Manuel delivered his speech.

But the city's 2010 transport manager, in the service delivery integration, Ronald King-ma, said the business plan for Cape Town was based on a R675-million allocation from the national treasury.

The national Treasury's funding is conditional on "counter-funding" from the city and the provincial government. The component from national Treasury would constitute 30 percent towards the public transport infrastructure funding, he said.

"The province and the city will each contribute towards the counter-funding," he said.

The Treasury has already allocated R8.4bn for stadium construction. Public transport initiatives and infrastructure will take up another R6.7bn.

The latter will be funded by the national Treasury, the province and local government, said city 2010 project spokes-man Pieter Cronjé.

The public transport infrastructure fund is expected to cover new roads around the stadium, road upgrades around the city and inner-city transport projects.

The city, which is working closely with the provincial government, has identified priority projects like major investment in the rail system and the development and enhancement of strategic transport corridors.

These projects also include a restructured road-based transport system; intelligent transport systems and long-distance and stadium precinct infrastructure; and the airport upgrade.

"The priority projects are directed at improving public transport... by investing in operations and transport system management to support the 2010 World Cup," said King-ma.

Other work around 2010 included the process to finalise the contract with the preferred bidder, said provincial 2010 co-ordinator Laurine Platzky.

Negotiations over the venue for the International Broadcast Centre were under way with Fifa. Cape Town is competing with Johannesburg and Durban, which has already won the right to host the World Cup draw later this year.

* This article was originally published on page 5 of The Cape Argus on February 15, 2007

The Argus

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-02-15 12:11:00
© 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.

I don't know why city officials and some people have already declared Cape Town as the media centre for 2010. The CTICC mentioned "negotiations" with FIFA and this article mentions "media city" for 2010. !FIFA have yet to make an announcement. Thats just wrong, will be funny if Joburg is awarded the media centre.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Phenomenal boom predicted in and around city centre



Seeff reports excellent sales in the ape Town CBD in the last month, and is set to open an office dedicated to properties in the CBD, says Ian Slot, MD of Seeff Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl, who will direct the new branch.

Seeff is opening its new CBD office at Shop 7A in the Icon building.

This will house the resi- dential agents who are selling CBD apartments, as well as the revitalised commercial division and revamped rental department."

Seeff's CBD apartment resale specialists, Liza Snijman and Michael Bester, sold R28.3 million worth of property in January. The average selling price was approximately R1.8m.

They have sold R33m worth of property since October, which, Slot says, shows that CBD sales are growing exponentially.

"In November and December 2006 the market share of this team of two was 47%, and for January it is set to be considerably higher," he says.

"We have sold 10 properties in the last week, in various buildings," says Snijman. "The activity is across the CBD and not confined to one building or one active pocket. This included two sales in Metropolis, three at The Square, one at Mandela Rhodes Place, three in Adderley Terraces and one at De Oude Schuur, Bo Kaap.

"Each area in the CBD has its own character with its own coffee shops, restaurants and bars - its own little hub, whether it's the Mandela Rhodes end or the Icon end or up near De Waterkant and Cape Quarter.

"You can see the crime and grime have improved, the Cape Town Partnership has some interesting plans, and there are going to be new developments near the harbour, including a 24-hour shopping centre near where the media city for 2010 is going to be.

"There is a lot of excitement around 2010, and what with the V&A Waterfront changing hands, and the fact that 40% to 50% of the harbour waterfront is still available to be developed - the sky is the limit."

This notwithstanding, Snijman is adamant about not accepting overpriced properties. "What is the point of taking on mandates that are overpriced which then sit on the market for 60, 90 or 100 days?

"There is a rand-per-square-metre rate that we, as experienced agents for this area, know well. Each building has got a general average R/m2 rate. For example, at Perspectives the average R/m2 is R13 000 and at Adderley Terraces, R17 000m2 to R18 000/m2. Mandela Rhodes is R20 000m2 to R25 000/m2, but this building is a completely different concept - a complete lifestyle package that you buy into. It is almost as if there is no ceiling to prices in this building.

"Metropolis also commands R25 000/m2. So the range goes from R13 000m2 up to R25 000/m2. We view each property and look at the location, views and facilities and carry out a comprehensive comparative market analysis.

"So, if someone's property average is R17 000/m2 and they want R25 000/m2, we tell them we can't take on the mandate. Serious sellers will still make a profit - but a realistic profit of 12% to 15% return on properties in a year. The properties that are selling are those that are priced correctly."

Her partner Bester says there is a good mix of buyers - local as well and foreign, and many owner-occupiers, who all know their stuff.

"They come and look at all the show properties on Sundays - every weekend we have a minimum of 10 places on show in the CBD. Buyers do their homework well and, as always, buy after making comparisons."

The Seeff CBD commercial arm is run by Marin Chesno and Chris Snijman, who believe development in the CBD is going to be absolutely phenomenal.

"If you take from the Green Point development and the stadium, going through to the upgraded V&A, past Somerset Hospital and the addition to the civic centre, linking up with the whole new development at the Foreshore and the harbour - it is going to be unbelievable."

Says Slot: "The CBD is really moving now. Potential buyers are seeing the value in the CBD. The CBD is going to be the Waterfront story of 10 years ago."

Published on the web by Cape Argus on February 17, 2007.

World Cup 2010

World Cup 2010 is our primary catalyst to radically reshape the Western Cape in the image of AsgiSA. Understandably, attention has been fixated on the stadium until now. Having crossed the financing, EIA and HIA hurdles, the path has been cleared for construction to commence in March. An achievement we are proud of as Minister Whitey Jacobs, on our behalf, played a pivotal role in securing the R1.9bn from national government in addition to our own contribution of R212m.



However, WC 2010 has always been about a lot more than just soccer and the stadium. It is an opportunity to accelerate key development investments that can be used in the fight against poverty and under-development. Hence, the R2.7 billion investment into the stadium is regarded by us merely as bait to attract at least another R7- to R8-billion in linked public investments for transport and infrastructure; and a similar amount in private sector investments into the leisure, tourism and retail sectors of the surrounding economy in the V&A Waterfront, the Somerset Hospital Precinct and the larger inner city bowl. In other words, Mr Speaker, we are positioning the Cape to leverage a further R15 billion off the stadium investment. R15 billion is almost 10% of our GDPR!



For ordinary citizens this investment should result in employment in the construction, leisure, transport, tourism and service sectors. But other benefits include:

• Dedicated bus and taxi lanes from the R300 right into Cape Town along the N2;

• The expansion of the airport through a R2 billion expansion investment;

• The planned dedicated rail link from the airport into town for both tourists and Capetownians;

• New retail and leisure industry opportunities associated with the possible passenger liner terminal at the bottom-end of Adderley Street once the link to the harbour is restored;

• The Convention Centre will double its volume, taking our conferencing infrastructure into another league globally;

• We also anticipate at least six new hotels in the Western Cape by 2010.



III. Property Development

The anticipated investments around World Cup 2010 speak to sustaining the unprecedented construction boom. The fact that the first phases of the V&A Waterfront development could have attracted R14bn worth of investment shows the latent potential for future growth that a strategic approach to property management can unlock. The Western Cape government, along with the municipalities in the province are significant property owners, and if we approach our assets from a strategic business perspective we can use these resources as leverage to achieve a host of developmental objectives simultaneously.



To begin this approach, Minister Marius Fransman will bring the strategically located Somerset Hospital site to market in a unique way. We are confident that we can realise the best possible price, advance an inclusive approach to broad-based black economic empowerment, ensure greater social mixing in the inner-city through variable tenure options and categories of housing, maintain a crucial public health facility and augment the substantial surrounding investments along Green Point, the stadium precinct, and of course the V&A Waterfront itself. It is this multi-dimensional outcome that we will pursue with vigour and determination across the province in order to democratise the property sector, foster social integration, and truly embrace integrated human settlements.



Concretely, in the next few years leading up to 2010, we will:

• Develop the Phillipi Stadium precinct as a practice venue and fan park for the 2010 World Cup, in the context of a sustainable human settlement component in Kosovo which will pioneer sustainable building technologies and techniques to bring dignity to people living in the most densely populated slum areas in the city;

^^ Are u sure that all cities dont have small media centres of there own? And its an estate agent making that call about the media centre...they spew crap all the time :)

^^ Are u sure that all cities dont have small media centres of there own? And its an estate agent making that call about the media centre...they spew crap all the time :)
well..german tv boss moves to CT, cticc negotiating with FIFA, cticc expansion confirmed..estate agent mentioning media city..i dunno. there def is a lot of interest. If CT, durb, jhb provide excellent facilities, its gonna come down to the added extras.

CT and JHB seem to making a harder pitch at getting the media centre than Durbs. My money is on one of them clinching it (hopefully CT).

CT and JHB seem to making a harder pitch at getting the media centre than Durbs. My money is on one of them clinching it (hopefully CT).

Im gonna wait for the announcement.

Province's transport system to get facelift
February 20, 2007 The Mercury Edition 1

Sipho Khumalo

KWAZULU-NATAL and the eThekwini municipal area are set for massive transport infrastructure development in preparation for the 2010 soccer World Cup with funding proposals amounting to R970 million having been submitted to the Public Transport Infrastructure Fund.

Briefing the KwaZulu-Natal legislature on the province's preparations yesterday, Transport MEC Bheki Cele expressed confidence that Durban and KZN would get the bulk of funding requested from the national funding agency.

"The allocation for the funding proposals amounting to R970 million submitted by the host city and supported by the Department of Transport would be announced in two weeks' time.

"It is, however, safe to say that (eThekwini) and the province will receive the bulk of funding requested," he said.

Reflecting on progress made to date, Cele said that eThekwini had already received R33 million from the transport infrastructure fund.

The funds requested would be used to ready Durban for the World Cup with a massive improvement of the road and rail networks and beefing up of the province's public transport to cope with the thousands of tourists and soccer fans expected to flock into KZN for the football spectacle.

He said of the R33 million already received, R17 million would be used for an intelligent transport system, R11 million for a public transport call centre and R5 million for planning in respect of improving the road network around Warwick Junction and in the central business district.

He said the most important factor in planning for the World Cup was the development of a public transport system which would leave a lasting legacy.

"In order to achieve this goal, the public transport needs of users beyond 2010 must be considered. In a nutshell, the plan is to ensure an improved, seamless, safe public transport system for local as well as international soccer fans," said Cele.

He said his department had made funding proposals to the transport infrastructure fund for a public transport corridor network and road signage in July last year.

The intention of these projects was to provide multimodal facilities for long distance public transport services at major terminals for the World Cup.

Some of the projects to be undertaken would include the building of multimodal facilities at key points for long distance transport between the new international airport in La Mercy, the new stadium in Durban and other cities which would be hosting World Cup matches.

"We (South Africa) have made a commitment to Fifa that we will stage a world-class event in terms of their specifications. This event will not only put us on the map internationally but will also boost investor confidence in South Africa and Africa as a continent," said Cele.

Hopefully with the awarding of things they spread stuff around. ie if Joburg gets final, CT gets media centre, Durban gets opening game.

I wouldn't read too much into that German guy buying a place in CPT. CPT is the premier SA city for wealthy foreigners. Looking at the W. Cape property magazines & brochures in my Stellenbosch hotel room last year, half of the adverts mentioned that they have German-speaking estate agents. That German TV exec would base his family in Cape Town even if the media centre were in Potgietersrus. CPT is more sought after by foreigners than any part of Jo'burg.

But that prestige in and of itself is one big reason why CPT could get the media centre.

Hopefully with the awarding of things they spread stuff around. ie if Joburg gets final, CT gets media centre, Durban gets opening game.

The final draw is saved for the most glamorous venue, e.g. the glashalle of leipzig for the 2006 cup, so in that way perhaps FIFA will spread things around.
IMO the main media centre will either be awarded to the city hosting the opening match or the final.

Manuel scores for 2010

February 21, 2007

South Africa’s world cup kitty has scored an additional R13.3 billion from Treasury over the next three years.

The national government’s total contribution towards infrastructure and stadiums stands at R17.4 billion.

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel told MPs he was happy that the Fifa local organising committee had finally reached agreement with municipalities on their budgets for the stadiums and that it was within the R8.4 billion set aside for this purpose.

At one stage municipalities were looking towards national government to fund shortfalls, after stadium costs skyrocketed from the original estimates.

Treasury stood firm and municipalities have fallen into line.

“These agreements set a firm precedent – that we must go out of our way to ensure a successful tournament and a lasting legacy being 2010, but fiscal prudence and sound budgeting principles must be adhered to at all times,” Manuel said.

In total over R9-billion will be allocated for municipal transport, roads and precinct upgrading related to the world cup.

This includes R1.7-billion to the South African National Roads Agency and the rail commuter corporation to upgrade roads and stations in areas which were critical to the world cup.


In terms of the public transport infrastructure grant an amount of R1.2 billion will be made available to build and improve new and existing public transport infrastructure and systems in the 2007/8 financial year.

On stadiums, the Treasury’s Budget Review states R600 million rand has already been transferred towards their preparation.

The following amounts will be allocated to the various stadiums in the 2007/8 financial year:


R434 million - Green Point

R392 million – Kings Park

R339 million - Soccer City

R146 million - Ellis Park

R106 million – Vodacom Park

R390 million - Mbombela

R435 million - Prince Alfred Park

R333 million - Peter Mokaba

R72 million - Royal Bafokeng

R53 million - Loftus Versfeld

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

These Independent Newspaper journalists contributed to this report:


Christelle Terreblanche

Moshoeshoe Monare

Boyd Webb

Linda Daniels

Thokozani Mtshali

Wendy Jasson da Costa

Angela Quintal

http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3694116

hey roman and others, if possible could you repeat your news updates in the 2010 FIFA world cup thread in the stadium and sports arena's section. thanks

http://www.bizcommunity.com

Reddy to kick off 2010 fan fest

Nathan Reddy, CEO and founder of multi award-winning design agency Grid, has been invited to raise the debate on a national subject at the Design Indaba in Cape Town – the 2010 Fifa Football World Cup and the challenge of serving it up as an experience to all the fans as we welcome them from around the world to South Africa.

Says Nathan Reddy, “2010 is a fantastic opportunity for South Africa to showcase to the world our spirit, warmth and dynamism in welcoming football fans to our country. This debate opens the floor to challenge our attributes and how we can package these to create a unique South African brand experience not only for our visitors but for football fans around the world.”

Joined by two agencies, what is quintessentially South African will be challenged, how it can be served up as an all encompassing experience and how this can be driven into other parts of the world to extend the franchise of the new phenomenon launched in Germany last year called Fan Fests.

The Fan Fest 2010 debate is a Design Indaba Project that is becoming a high-profile and talked-about annual debating event. Reddy will provide his thoughts on this issue in Cape Town on Thursday, 22 February 2007.

- The Better Performance Paper - www.rotatrim.co.za

Copyright © 2006 Biz-community.

hey roman and others, if possible could you repeat your news updates in the 2010 FIFA world cup thread in the stadium and sports arena's section. thanks

I didn't even know such a section existed! What's the link?

Thought I'd share the good news.
Confederations Cup venues have not yet been decided upon, the final decision will be made at an appropriate time.

BUSINESS NEWS
New broadcast centre for 2010
Donwald Pressly
Thu, 22 Feb 2007
An international broadcasting centre will be established for the World Cup finals which will serve as a legacy project for local content generation and development beyond the World Cup finals, the South African Cabinet has reported.

Cabinet spokesperson Themba Maseko said at a briefing at Parliament on Thursday — after the Wednesday Cabinet meeting — that Cabinet had noted progress on the fulfillment of information and communications technology guarantees to FIFA in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"A service provider will be appointed to provide adequate telecommunications for the transportation of signals to and from the stadiums," said the Cabinet statement.

"Further a second Sentech teleport will be built to provide the satellite link as back-up to the telecommunications infrastructure required for the Cup," said the statement.

The final site of the broadcast centre — likely to be Cape Town or Johannesburg — would be determined by Cabinet "in the near future".

I-Net Bridge

but durban is bidding too...? the reporter not know that or hinting that not included?

but durban is bidding too...? the reporter not know that or hinting that not included?
I might be wrong but the broadcast centre is different from the main press centre/main media centre.

The costs and infrastructure would be the responsibility of the treasury.
The decision will only be made once the the main media centre location has been decided upon by FIFA. Only then will the cabinet makes its decision on this broadcast centre which will most likely accompany the FIFA main media centre.

So...possible scenario, opening and final match joburg, soccerex joburg, broadcast and main press centre joburg, two stadia joburg. oh joy.

Local firm sets its sights on lighting SA stadiums
Lighting company Philips lighting South Africa’s eyes are up at the prospect of supplying lights to most of the country’s stadiums for the upcoming World Cup 2010. Philips Lighting marketing manager Chris Liebenberg says, “Talks on lighting the stadiums are continuing between Philips and Federation of International Football Association”.

Liebenberg says that the company is looking at lighting stadiums such as Loftus Versfeld, in Pretoria, Green Point stadium, in Cape Town, FNB, in Johannesburg, and King Senzangakhona stadium, in Durban. He says that, besides other things, Philips will be installing Arena Vision 2-kw floodlighting as well as other products used to illuminate the parking area.

Included in these proposed products will be Philips’s Video Wall products, which are giant liquid crystal display screens for public viewing outside these stadiums.

To date, Philips has been awarded the contract to upgrade the lighting at Dobsonville soccer stadium and has just completed lighting Centurion cricket stadium.

“Depending on the design of the stadium, between 200 and 250 2-kw floodlights are used to illuminate the stadium correctly. This combination consists of nar- row-, medium- and wide-beam flood- lights for stadiums to achieve the desired levels within the stadiums,” adds Liebenberg.

Philips has extensive experience in installing lights for international events. The company was awarded the contract to install lighting in six of eight stadiums used for World Cup 2006 as well as illuminating the Berlin Reichstag building, which was earmarked as a principal landmark for the World Cup in Germany.

Liebenberg says, “There will be different requirements with lighting South Africa’s stadiums, because the company needs to pay more attention to the cost factor of the project as well as the fact that many of the stadiums will need to be multi- purpose stadiums.” He adds that the company needs to consider using a multipurpose lighting design because most of the stadiums are not only soccer sta- diums but are also used for cricket, rugby as well as athletics.

“The designing is controlled by Fifa, and Philips will have to comply with the prescribed design for each stadium,” notes Liebenberg.

Apart from lighting stadiums, Philips also offers various other general lighting products and has recently developed street lighting with light emitting diode (LED) technology. This light is used for normal area lighting and decorating pur- poses. Liebenberg says that this is one of Philips’s long-life luminaires that can last up to 60 000 hours. “The light has a very low heat, no ultraviolet rays and can change colours, meaning it lasts longer and uses low energy,” he adds.

He notes that the new LED lumi- naires will be used to light Durban International Conference Centre and in various other projects in Cape Town.

So...possible scenario, opening and final match joburg, soccerex joburg, broadcast and main press centre joburg, two stadia joburg. oh joy.

I realise Gauteng has the densest population, the largest companies, the largest airport and the most money. So, obviously, the province has a lead over all the others in attracting big name events. But, if in fact the media are to be based in Jo'burg, I think that's dumb dumb dumb dumb. Oh yeah, and dumb.

I'm not one of those people who avoids Jo'burg at all costs. (I avoid the CBD at all costs, but not the metro area.) I just don't think it's very attractive, especially in winter.

Why should the media be concentrated into SA's most sprawling city? Sure, other cities have traffic, but the distances aren't as great. The journos will stay in Sandton, Rosebank, and other northern areas. Then they'll have to drive to Ellis Park or Soccer City. I can only imagine how the international press will rake SA over the coals because the journalists get stuck in traffic jams every day.

And then there's brown....everywhere, brown. It's winter!!! Yes, it'll be winter all over the country, but Durban in winter isn't nearly as brown as the highveld, and Cape Town in winter is lush to say the least.

Again, I realise that there are logistical advantages to a Jo'burg-based media. I just don't think that such an arrangement puts SA's best foot forward.

I think Joburg will get the broadcast centre as that is where the SABC complex is in Auckland Park.

I think Joburg will get the broadcast centre as that is where the SABC complex is in Auckland Park.

I dont agree. The broadcast centre should be linked up with the main media centre..well thats my opinion.

Why does it matter where the media centre is. My opinion is its gonna be in Jozi because its the main city in SA. Cape town will get the opening match.

..

These organises better sit down & think properly of the locations for all these center's, obviously FIFA is going to have some sort of say in the matter, but they will be relying on the guidance fo the organiser's, so they must view options of having some of these center's in other city's, I mean the whole point of staging the world cup is to show the world what our country has to offer, not what Joburg has to offer? am I right?

Durbsboi, you are absolutely right and i hope the LOC understand. Its an opportunity to sell South Africa as a whole and it comes only once!

And they should be using their head in this decision. as stated joburg is not the centre of south africa and international research reports state that there is going to be an ever greater power switch from Gauteng to the coast in the years ahead as global competitiveness plays heavily against the inland region.

There is already alot of animosity against the Gauteng region for the belief from them is that everything needs to take place there. Concluding to make sure that all the major events surrounding the 2010 WC take place will definately breed serious divisions in governmental cooperation. The Durban council have already stated that they are not at all happy that everything is given on a plate to gauteng, no matter if they have worked hard and developed a far better business plan. This will boil over in the years ahead if some form of equality amongst the main centres is not introduced.

As stated this is South Africa's event, not Gautengs...

ps...Joburg is already SERVERELY under providing in beds for the 2010 world cup as seen in many of the reports we have read...getting more and more of the stuff happening there will lead to embarrassing press for the country when none of the people will find anywhere to stay or fight 2 hours or traffic to get anywhere

Grand Parade fancied as 2010 fan park

By Sipokazi Maposa and Murray Williams

The main fan park for the 2010 World Cup is likely to be at the Grand Parade, with others at the Bellville Velodrome and at the Athlone stadium.

And still more fan parks of varying size and shape - from vast shopping centres to tiny bars - are likely to mushroom across the rest of the city and the province.

The city's transport, roads and stormwater portfolio committee met on Thursday to discuss issues around 2010.

'It's within striking distance of the stadium (by foot)'
On Friday the city's 2010 spokesperson, Pieter Cronje, explained that the site for the main fan park would be chosen jointly by the city and Fifa.

The Grand Parade was likely to be recommended because "people will naturally gravitate towards the CBD" during World Cup matches.

"It is also close to the Cape Town train station, it has links to the Waterfront and it's within striking distance of the stadium (by foot)."

The city council planned to encourage and facilitate huge pedestrian movement between the CBD and Greenpoint.

Among questions put to the department's executive director Eddie Chinnappen on Thursday was why most fan parks were to be in central business districts away from the poor and the biggest fan base on the Cape Flats.

In response, Cronje said a major fan park would be in Athlone, and nothing would stop the planning of other fan parks elsewhere in the city as the city and province's combined business plan around 2010 still had to be refined.

"The door is not closed (to the prospect of a fan park in Khayelitsha, for example).

"And there will be smaller fan parks in communities, shopping malls, bars and other catering establishments," he said.

Outside Cape Town, there would also be fan parks in the province's other major towns.

In the city, Chinnappen said local taxi operators could be used as shuttles during the 2010 Fifa World Cup to transport thousands of spectators from the city's park-and-ride facilities to Green Point stadium and fan parks.

The council was considering awarding tenders to the taxi industry as it had now been formalised through the recapitalisation programme. It was in discussions with the provincial and national governments about ordering more buses to ferry spectators from around the city to the stadiums.



* This article was originally published on page 3 of The Cape Argus on March 02, 2007

The Argus

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-03-02 11:32:00
© 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.

Top manager needed for Cape Town

Tue, 06 Mar 2007

The world's best project manager needed to be appointed to manage the 2010 Soccer World Cup project — including the building of a stadium at Green Point in Cape Town — who would report to both Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille and Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool, the mayor said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a business breakfast at the Cape Town Convention Centre with Rasool, Zille said there was no need for a special national minister in charge of the World Cup or for a mayoral committee member for that matter, but there was a need for cooperation by the various levels of government.

Such a project manager must meet with the two leaders regularly. "We need to get him or her out here," she told the crowd.

Close to dictatorship

Noting that transport planning for the soccer tournament was the city's responsibility but operations were the responsibility of the province, she said such a project manager "needs to be the world's best implementation manager".

Zille noted that planning was a democratic exercise but implementation "comes closer to a dictatorship".

Rasool said it was imperative that the stadium project was successful as it would be the "cheese in the trap" as it had a budget of some R2.8-billion.

Beyond that it has already attracted R1.3-billion in upgradings of Cape Town airport and R3.5-billion would be spent on public transport. On top of all that Dubai World was spending some R14-billion on the V&A Waterfront.
error: only R7 billion

Spending could be as high as R21-billion by 2010, said the premier.

Asked if the stadium was definitely going to happen, Zille said she would know by the end of the week. "I cannot bankrupt the city, nor can I in terms of the law sign contracts if we do not have the money."

Still a shortfall

Noting that FIFA had indicated that there would be no Cape Town leg if the stadium was not built at Greenpoint, she said the budget for the stadium was at one point one billion over the budget.

In terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act she could not spend money the city did not have. There was only a five percent margin for contingencies — and she noted that the Wembley Stadium had run at 100 percent over initial costings.

There was still a shortfall of R180-million in the budget, Zille said, noting that she had held discussions with businesses including Investec which had thought out the box about the project. This amount may seem like a little but it was a huge burden for the city to carry and she would not allow that legacy.

She had approached the national Treasury which had said it was not able to provide this funding — although she pointed out it was national government which had signed the contract with FIFA.

Rasool noted that it was "worthwhile to put the cheese (the stadium) in the trap" otherwise Cape Town would "become a backwater", but Zille retorted that national, provincial and local government would have "to hold the [financial] line" — not just local government.

'Pessimistic'

Asked if Cape Town would cope with the World Cup — in June and July 2010 — Zille said: "We are committed to making 2010 a success... but we have to understand the enormity of the challenge. I tend to be pessimistic... we are looking at every possible glitch upfront."

She said she did not want to land a new and alarming valuations bill at the door of ratepayers after 2010 as a result of debts built up related to the project.

But Rasool said: "We are going to do it." Referring to various governments working together, including his African National Congress led provincial government and the Democratic Alliance-led city government, he said: "There is an understanding that we are interdependent. We have got to make it work."

Pendleton: A Suitable Host
By Ken Pendleton

USSoccerPlayers (March 6, 2007) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter is clearly a bit frustrated at the lack of progress South Africa and Brazil have made in preparing to host the next two World Cups.

Late last year, he warned that the World Cup would "move north" if there was not a suitable South American candidate. And last month he threatened to take matters into his own hands if South Africa did not get a move on: "If work doesn't start by mid-February, I'll come down with a pickaxe."

Blatter will no doubt give each country every chance to get its infrastructure together, and he is certainly not going to commit himself to pulling the plug on either before he is re-elected president this coming May. But there is good reason to believe that one of the next two tournaments will be moved, possibly to the United States.

The sad fact of the matter is that hosting a 32-team tournament is beyond the means of most countries. Hosts must have at least eight stadiums that seat at least 45,000 fans, state-of-the-art communication facilities, viable transportation systems, sufficient accommodations for hundreds of thousands of tourists, and enough police to protect fans from criminals, terrorists, and, sometimes, each other.

The South Africa government has committed the funds to complete all of the major projects, but nonetheless last September Franz Beckenbauer told reporters that, "The organization for the World Cup in South Africa is beset by big problems," because those involved "are working against rather than with each other." He went on to add that "these are not South African problems -- these are African problems."

As Blatter's comment about wielding a pickaxe implies, construction of five new venues (in Cape Town, Durban, Nelspruit, Polokwane, and Port Elizabeth) has barely got off the ground. The telecommunication facilities are 30 years old and will require billions of dollars to upgrade. The costs of improving the electrical plants might be even greater because power outages in the major cities occur regularly. The public transport system is poor, and this has led to fears that visitors will, as the Africa News put it recently, "have an almost impossible time travelling from one city to the next." Finally, there are huge crime problems, the scariest one being a 50-a-day homicide habit.

Blatter has claimed that he is very optimistic about Africa. But Beckenbauer has made it clear that FIFA has created contingency plans by saying in the past: "There are emergency solutions, but Germany is not one of them. There are enough other solutions."

The good news for Brazil is that they have four additional years to solve their problems. The bad news is that they have virtually everything to do.

There are many big stadiums in Brazil, but not a single one that is in suitable condition. The Maracana in Rio, like many of the proposed stadiums, may need to be demolished, rather than just refurbished. There is an acute shortage of hotel rooms. At present, Rio does not have enough to handle demand for Carnival, or even New Year's celebrations.

The public transportation system is virtually non-existent and some of the roads that connect different parts of the country are dangerous and dilapidated. And crime is so epidemic that gangs frequently block the expressway that connects the center of Rio with the airport. FIFA would clearly like to award the 2014 World Cup to Brazil this November because of its great history, but, as Blatter has explained, "Other countries would be ready to step in at short notice if Brazil's program is not what it should be."

One country that might step in is Colombia. In fact, they have submitted a bid to host, and some commentators, like Brian Homewood, who covers Brazilian soccer for World Soccer magazine, claims that, "Item for item, Colombia's bid makes more sense than Brazil's." They have similar problems with ground transportation, but the airports run better, crime in cities like Cali and Bogota has been declining, and there is, according to Homewood, "a sense the authorities have the political will to get things done."

Having said that, Colombia probably has very little chance, even if Brazil does not get the bid. Colombia does not have the support of COMNEBOL, which voted unanimously to back Brazil, and FIFA would no doubt be very reluctant to risk awarding the tournament to a country that is in the midst of a low-level civil war. Some rural parts of the country are still controlled by revolutionaries. Finally, Colombia is handicapped because it was forced to abandon its rights to stage the 1986 World Cup. If FIFA has to replace Brazil, they will probably select a country that already boasts the infrastructure to guarantee a successful tournament.

Enter the United States? Well, quite possibly. Canada or Australia might also have a chance, but the US probably has a better hand.

First of all, the US is the only one of these countries that has staged a World Cup. That might be a real advantage, as it allegedly was for Mexico in 1986, if FIFA decides to switch hosts at a late date.

Second, the 1994 World Cup generated huge revenue despite the fact that the matches were played in old stadiums, like the Cotton Bowl and RFK Stadium. Imagine how much more money would be generated from matches played at venues with oodles of luxury boxes and clubs seats.

Finally, the United Sates has become a respected part of the soccer community. There were serious doubts about whether the Americans could pull it off in 1994, but everyone at FIFA now realizes a US-hosted tournament would be a great success.

Frankly, I hope South Africa and Brazil stage the next two World Cups. It would be a tremendous shot in the arm for the whole African continent, and South America has not played host since 1978. Domestic soccer in Brazil might also get a boost. And it would be nice to see two World Cups played during the winter, so that for once we would not have to hear northern European teams whine about stifling heat.

But FIFA should move the World Cup north, or west-northwest, if it becomes obvious that either country is not going to be adequately prepared.

Ken Pendleton has a PhD in philosophy and currently teaches at Oregon State University, but his first love, though he should know better, is soccer. His column appears each Tuesday on USSoccerPlayers.com. He can be reached at: kfsu@hotmail.com.

http://ussoccerplayers.com/latest_soccer_news/533308.html

Pendleton: A Suitable Host
By Ken Pendleton

USSoccerPlayers (March 6, 2007) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter is clearly a bit frustrated at the lack of progress South Africa and Brazil have made in preparing to host the next two World Cups.

Late last year, he warned that the World Cup would "move north" if there was not a suitable South American candidate. And last month he threatened to take matters into his own hands if South Africa did not get a move on: "If work doesn't start by mid-February, I'll come down with a pickaxe."

Blatter will no doubt give each country every chance to get its infrastructure together, and he is certainly not going to commit himself to pulling the plug on either before he is re-elected president this coming May. But there is good reason to believe that one of the next two tournaments will be moved, possibly to the United States.

The sad fact of the matter is that hosting a 32-team tournament is beyond the means of most countries. Hosts must have at least eight stadiums that seat at least 45,000 fans, state-of-the-art communication facilities, viable transportation systems, sufficient accommodations for hundreds of thousands of tourists, and enough police to protect fans from criminals, terrorists, and, sometimes, each other.

The South Africa government has committed the funds to complete all of the major projects, but nonetheless last September Franz Beckenbauer told reporters that, "The organization for the World Cup in South Africa is beset by big problems," because those involved "are working against rather than with each other." He went on to add that "these are not South African problems -- these are African problems."

As Blatter's comment about wielding a pickaxe implies, construction of five new venues (in Cape Town, Durban, Nelspruit, Polokwane, and Port Elizabeth) has barely got off the ground. The telecommunication facilities are 30 years old and will require billions of dollars to upgrade. The costs of improving the electrical plants might be even greater because power outages in the major cities occur regularly. The public transport system is poor, and this has led to fears that visitors will, as the Africa News put it recently, "have an almost impossible time travelling from one city to the next." Finally, there are huge crime problems, the scariest one being a 50-a-day homicide habit.

Blatter has claimed that he is very optimistic about Africa. But Beckenbauer has made it clear that FIFA has created contingency plans by saying in the past: "There are emergency solutions, but Germany is not one of them. There are enough other solutions."

The good news for Brazil is that they have four additional years to solve their problems. The bad news is that they have virtually everything to do.

There are many big stadiums in Brazil, but not a single one that is in suitable condition. The Maracana in Rio, like many of the proposed stadiums, may need to be demolished, rather than just refurbished. There is an acute shortage of hotel rooms. At present, Rio does not have enough to handle demand for Carnival, or even New Year's celebrations.

The public transportation system is virtually non-existent and some of the roads that connect different parts of the country are dangerous and dilapidated. And crime is so epidemic that gangs frequently block the expressway that connects the center of Rio with the airport. FIFA would clearly like to award the 2014 World Cup to Brazil this November because of its great history, but, as Blatter has explained, "Other countries would be ready to step in at short notice if Brazil's program is not what it should be."

One country that might step in is Colombia. In fact, they have submitted a bid to host, and some commentators, like Brian Homewood, who covers Brazilian soccer for World Soccer magazine, claims that, "Item for item, Colombia's bid makes more sense than Brazil's." They have similar problems with ground transportation, but the airports run better, crime in cities like Cali and Bogota has been declining, and there is, according to Homewood, "a sense the authorities have the political will to get things done."

Having said that, Colombia probably has very little chance, even if Brazil does not get the bid. Colombia does not have the support of COMNEBOL, which voted unanimously to back Brazil, and FIFA would no doubt be very reluctant to risk awarding the tournament to a country that is in the midst of a low-level civil war. Some rural parts of the country are still controlled by revolutionaries. Finally, Colombia is handicapped because it was forced to abandon its rights to stage the 1986 World Cup. If FIFA has to replace Brazil, they will probably select a country that already boasts the infrastructure to guarantee a successful tournament.

Enter the United States? Well, quite possibly. Canada or Australia might also have a chance, but the US probably has a better hand.

First of all, the US is the only one of these countries that has staged a World Cup. That might be a real advantage, as it allegedly was for Mexico in 1986, if FIFA decides to switch hosts at a late date.

Second, the 1994 World Cup generated huge revenue despite the fact that the matches were played in old stadiums, like the Cotton Bowl and RFK Stadium. Imagine how much more money would be generated from matches played at venues with oodles of luxury boxes and clubs seats.

Finally, the United Sates has become a respected part of the soccer community. There were serious doubts about whether the Americans could pull it off in 1994, but everyone at FIFA now realizes a US-hosted tournament would be a great success.

Frankly, I hope South Africa and Brazil stage the next two World Cups. It would be a tremendous shot in the arm for the whole African continent, and South America has not played host since 1978. Domestic soccer in Brazil might also get a boost. And it would be nice to see two World Cups played during the winter, so that for once we would not have to hear northern European teams whine about stifling heat.

But FIFA should move the World Cup north, or west-northwest, if it becomes obvious that either country is not going to be adequately prepared.

Ken Pendleton has a PhD in philosophy and currently teaches at Oregon State University, but his first love, though he should know better, is soccer. His column appears each Tuesday on USSoccerPlayers.com. He can be reached at: kfsu@hotmail.com.

http://ussoccerplayers.com/latest_soccer_news/533308.html

again de ja vu..weird that the article is dated 6 march..i def remember the part where brazil's public transport system is called "non existent".

I think the headline should read R160m, not R160bn

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

R160bn spent on 2010 business cases

By Donwald Pressly

South Africa has already spent 160 million rand on the preparation of business cases for the 10 stadiums in nine host cities, according to a top National Treasury official.


Addressing the National Assembly finance portfolio committee, National Treasury deputy director general Malcolm Simpson reported that the funding had been allocated to nine host cities for preparing their business cases for the stadiums.


Johannesburg had received 30 million rand for the upgrade plan for Soccer City while it had received a further one million rand for the upgrade of Ellis Park plan.


Cape Town - a new stadium at Green Point - had received 30 million rand as had eThekwini (Durban) - also a new stadium.


The municipal area with the most advanced planning so far - Nelson Mandela Bay (including Port Elizabeth) - had received 20 million rand for its business case but it had also received 66 million rand for the phase one construction of its stadium, which was also a new stadium.


The planned new stadium at Mbombela had received 20 million rand as had Polokwane, which was also a new stadium.


The upgrade plan at Mangaung (Bloemfontein), which is an upgrade stadium, had received two million rand so far while Rustenburg - an upgrade - had not cost the state anything so far because the king of the Royal Bafokeng nation had footed the bill.


Tshwane municipality had received one million rand for the upgrade plan of Loftus Versfeld.

I-Net Bridge

http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/Business/Article.aspx?id=405532

Millions to be spent on improving public transport infrastructure

By Aziz Hartley

WITH the 2010 Fifa World Cup on the horizon and Cape Town's roads gridlocked during peak hours, the provincial Transport and Public Works Department has received a hefty R2.207 billion from this year's provincial budget to improve public transport and upgrade roads.

Of this, R1.426bn will go towards developing a public transport system. Over the next three years, the department would be given R6.6bn to carry out its work, which includes developing infrastructure.

"Public and private transport have to be brought into balance with each other to improve efficiency," said MEC Lynne Brown in her budget speech yesterday.

"In Cape Town, the province is running an initiative with the City and SA Rail Commuter Corporation," she said.

"Bus services will be reconfigured to complement rail transport, which itself will be improved to carry more people in greater safety," Brown said.

Altogether R115.37 million has been earmarked for upgrading public transport infrastructure, including the Klipfontein Corridor.

While road upgrades are already under way on the N2, planning and design for the Koeberg Interchange will start next year, with construction expected to start late next year or in early 2009.

After this upgrade, traffic flow is expected to ease on the N1, which feeds the route to Green Point where Cape Town's World Cup stadium is to be built.

The province would allocate R212m in 2008/09 to support the construction of the stadium, Brown said.

"Hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup successfully will require that we are able to manage and facilitate effectively the movement of spectators by shortening travel times and keeping routes to the main stadium, practice venues and fan parks uncongested," Brown said.

"The province is partnering the City to ensure that movement of players and spectators in Cape Town are met in a manner that creates a lasting positive impact on transport in the Metro.

"To date, R638m has been secured for Cape Town from the National Transport Infrastructure Fund to help fund the transport requirements for 2010," she said.

Published on the web by Cape Times on March 6, 2007.

Builders on the ball at FNB stadium

By Lebogang Seale

Fifa World Cup 2010 organising committee representatives and FNB stadium developers are impressed with the progress made with its revamp.

Schalk Ackerman, managing director of Grinaker LTA, awarded the tender for the refurbishment of the R1,5-billion stadium, said on Wednesday construction was progressing well since work began on February 5.

"The demolition of the existing stadium started on time and is well advanced," said Ackerman.

'Progress has been very impressive'
This phase was expected to be completed by end of the month," he said.

"Bulk earthworks are also well under way and the follow-up operation, piling for the foundations, commenced last week. This will continue for about four months."

Construction of the foundations would start next week and the first of the tower cranes would be erected on site before Easter, he said.

"The concrete batch plant to provide concrete to the project is to be erected this month.

The progress of the project is on track and we are satisfied with all the work that has been done so far," he said.

His views were echoed by the organising committee's head of communications, Tim Modise.

"Progress has been very impressive because there is lot of work going on. Everything is on course."

Modise dismissed reports that construction had been hampered by a shortage of water, saying the water flow was disrupted for less than an hour while workers were busy with construction.

Once completed, the newly revamped stadium, to be known as Soccer City, will seat 94 700 people.

While it is one of the five venues that will host the 2009 Fifa Confederation Cup, the stadium is the only venue guaranteed the hosting of the 2010 World Cup's opening and closing ceremonies, as well as some of the quarterfinal matches

While it is one of the five venues that will host the 2009 Fifa Confederation Cup, the stadium is the only venue guaranteed the hosting of the 2010 World Cup's opening and closing ceremonies, as well as some of the quarterfinal matches

If this is true, this means that CT and Durbs are out of the running for the opening and closing ceremonies. How sad. They should just go ahead and host all matches in Gauteng seeing as the other provinces are obviously so incapable of hosting these events. :ohno:

Some of this info is so outdated (multipurpose, dome stadium for CT?); I am surprised that the govt's news agency can't get its facts right on this improtant info.

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

Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System

Date: 08 Mar 2007
Title: Treasury's 2010 head calls for skills importation for stadia
---------------------------------------------------------------
By Shaun Benton

Cape Town - The head of the 2010 unit in the National Treasury expressed his concern Wednesday, at the shortage of skills needed to implement key 2010 FIFA World Cup infrastructure projects including the construction or building of the 10 stadia.

The potential impact on the country's current account deficit of importing material and skills was not significant, said Malcolm Simpson, when weighed against the additional infrastructure that would be delivered as a result.

Mr Simpson is a member of government's technical coordinating committee on 2010 and head of the 2010 unit in the Treasury.

Most of the raw material needed for construction of the stadia could be purchased locally, he told Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Finance, briefing them on National Treasury funding of the 10 stadia to be used to host 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa matches.

Of particular concern to the Treasury was the shortage of skills - particularly technical skills such as those provided by civil engineers and a variety of artisans - and project management skills, he said, echoing concerns previously raised on several occasions by finance Minister Trevor Manuel.

"It is an issue, it is an issue," emphasised Mr Simpson, to MPs who questioned him around some of the challenges to South Africa's efforts towards hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

He indicated that opening the country's market to foreign construction companies "to come and do this work" could be doubly beneficial in that it would also make the construction sector more competitive.

The local construction industry, he said, was dominated by "only six or seven large contractors" and that as a result it lacked a competitive edge.

Mr Simpson added that as a result of the skills shortage and little competition he would like to see more foreign construction companies bidding for work in South Africa.

Referring to Treasury's containment of stadium costs, which at one point has escalated substantially beyond the R8.4 billion set aside by national government for these, Mr Simpson said Treasury had, in its analysis of the tender documents, noticed a high proportion of "provisional costs".

Provisional costs are a concern in that the contractor putting in a tender does not know what the client actually requires, it was unspecified and in some cases this amounted to a fixed specification of 40 per cent, while as much as 60 per cent were "provisional sums".

As a result of these incomplete specifications, potential contractors had priced accordingly and had included these risk elements in their pricing, leading to a possible inflation of prices.

"Our analysis of this is that the professional teams [hired to do produce the specifications for the bids] probably did not do appropriate work to finalise the tender documents so that the contractors could do a reasonable cost analysis of the project," Mr Simpson said.

"This is our concern," he added.

The Treasury had then advised the nine host cities in December to negotiate with contractors to reduce the costs of stadium construction or upgrading while ensuring that the designs remain compliant with FIFA specifications.

As a result of Treasury's intervention, the costs of the 10 stadia were reduced by approximately R2 billion.

"If National Treasury had not taken these steps we may well have been, at the end of the day, with cost overruns of R4 billion," Mr Simpson.

He added that the R8,4 billion provided by Treasury towards the costs of the stadia was therefore justified, and that South Africa would have FIFA-compliant stadia for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

He earlier indicated that in a post-2010 scenario, the national fiscus may be asked to provide operating subsidies for the stadia because of the potential for an aggregated operating loss after the FIFA tournament.

This was because the current turnover of a 50 000-seat stadium in South Africa hosting about 30 events a year is approximately R20 million a year, Mr Simpson said.

There will be five new stadia, and five existing stadia will be refurbished and upgraded for the world's most popular sporting event.

Three existing stadia in South Africa's major metropolis, Gauteng, will be upgraded. These are FNB stadium, Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld.

The Royal Bafokeng stadium in North West province will be upgraded, as will the Vodacom Park in Mangaung (Bloemfontein) in Free State province.

Five new stadia will be built or rebuilt.

In Limpopo, the Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane will host 2010 games.

A new stadium will be built at Mbombela in Mpumalanga, as well as in the Nelson Mandela Metro (encompassing Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape.

Kings Park stadium in the eThekwini Metro (encompassing Durban) will be rebuilt for the event, becoming also a multi-sports facility.

In the Western Cape, Cape Town's Green Point stadium will be rebuilt, becoming a "totally new" multi-purpose sports facility complete with a dome, which will be able to open and close as a precaution against the city's unpredictable weather. - BuaNews

http://www.buanews.gov.za/view.php?ID=07030809451004&coll=buanew07

^^ HAHA what a funny article

He earlier indicated that in a post-2010 scenario, the national fiscus may be asked to provide operating subsidies for the stadia because of the potential for an aggregated operating loss after the FIFA tournament.

This was because the current turnover of a 50 000-seat stadium in South Africa hosting about 30 events a year is approximately R20 million a year, Mr Simpson said.

And that, friends, is why you don't build several large new stadia when existing ones (Newlands and King's Park) can be renovated. Why oh why did FIFA insist on a new stadium in Cape Town? And why oh why did Durban decide to build a new (very nice) stadium when an expanded King's Park would have sufficed?

If this is true, this means that CT and Durbs are out of the running for the opening and closing ceremonies. How sad. They should just go ahead and host all matches in Gauteng seeing as the other provinces are obviously so incapable of hosting these events. :ohno:

Again, Ill wait for the FIFA decision.

And that, friends, is why you don't build several large new stadia when existing ones (Newlands and King's Park) can be renovated. Why oh why did FIFA insist on a new stadium in Cape Town? And why oh why did Durban decide to build a new (very nice) stadium when an expanded King's Park would have sufficed?

If this was only about the 2010 SWC I'd agree completely. In the case of Durban's stadium I think the city saw this as a springboard to events beyond 2010 - Olympics, Commonwealth games etc - and so incorporated an athletics track into the design. I think that justifies a new stadium. As for Cape Town however, I think they are going to struggle down the line and will probably be forced to abandon Newlands to give their new stadium a reason to exist post 2010.

If this was only about the 2010 SWC I'd agree completely. In the case of Durban's stadium I think the city saw this as a springboard to events beyond 2010 - Olympics, Commonwealth games etc - and so incorporated an athletics track into the design. I think that justifies a new stadium. As for Cape Town however, I think they are going to struggle down the line and will probably be forced to abandon Newlands to give their new stadium a reason to exist post 2010.

Let me start by saying that this is just an academic debate. The stadium will be built, and then Durban needs to figure out the best way to use it, so that it will make money (or lose the smallest amount possible).

I'd love to see Durban host the Olympics. But even an Olympic bid isn't enough to justify a permanent stadium of such size.

For the World Cup, King's Park should have been enlarged, as the original concept called for. For the Olympics, the city should have done what Chicago proposes: build a large temporary stadium to host the opening/closing ceremonies and athletics. And build it only if and when the city secures the Olympics. Then, once the games are over, remove most of the stands so that the city is left with a reasonably-sized athletics venue. But the 'Build it and they will come' idea is silly when there is no other demonstrable need for a stadium of that size.

Atlanta designed its Olympic stadium to be shrunk for later use by the baseball team. Sydney's stadium was shrunk too. Chicago proposes a temporary stadium. I think any of these options would've been more sensible than building a permanent 70,000-seat stadium in Durban.

Rugby can't fill a 70,000-seat stadium in Durban on any regular basis. Durban's domestic soccer sides can't fill such a stadium, and massive international matches aren't a regular event. (As for the rumours about a new African 'super club' financed by some unheard of Korean investor named Tiger Koon, call me when he actually has the money, and when the club exists and has enough fans to fill a large stadium. Until then, I'll file that rumour in the same place as the giant statue of Shaka and the Titanic replica to be built in Durban Harbour.) In the end, the Sharks will be forced to move into the stadium, which they will be unable to fill, and the stadium may still run a loss. Even if the Olympics come, then what happens afterward? What tenant can consistenly fill those seats? And at what cost to the ratepayers?

But now the city had better work its collective ass off to get the Olympics (or to at least secure SA's bid for the Olympics). I support such a bid 100%. I just wish it had been conceived of differently from the beginning.

If this was only about the 2010 SWC I'd agree completely. In the case of Durban's stadium I think the city saw this as a springboard to events beyond 2010 - Olympics, Commonwealth games etc - and so incorporated an athletics track into the design. I think that justifies a new stadium. As for Cape Town however, I think they are going to struggle down the line and will probably be forced to abandon Newlands to give their new stadium a reason to exist post 2010.

There are always going to be challenges with the CT stadium.
BUT
1. Its not constructed next door to another stadium.
2. Its at the commercial epicentre of Cape Town (city, park, waterfront)
3. It could be integrated(even more so) with the waterfront if Dubaiworld is the operator or even if dubaiworld is not.
4. Perhaps the same point, but its not in the middle of nowhere!, its basically adjacent to a billion dollar waterfront, improved urban park, booming city centre and in a dramatic and beautiful location. We need to work with what have and not with what we don't.
5. With aggressive marketing its certainly could become a good multi-purpose sports/events venue even if it excludes an athletics track.

It would be stupid to believe that building a stadium will result in a "build and they will come" situation, It does however have all the makings of a successful venue. I think much of its future is in the hands of the private operator, an experienced international operator could do wonders with this tricky situation.

I firmly believe that the economic benefits or spin-offs of this stadium's success would outweigh the costs of having to move rugby from newlands to this stadium.
I think we could spend hours debating the negatives and cons of the stadium but for now I'd prefer to look at the positives and the benefits to cape town if the stadium is well managed and becomes a successful venue. Its too late to change the venue, so lets make the best of this situation.

Let me start by saying that this is just an academic debate. The stadium will be built, and then Durban needs to figure out the best way to use it, so that it will make money (or lose the smallest amount possible).

I'd love to see Durban host the Olympics. But even an Olympic bid isn't enough to justify a permanent stadium of such size.

For the World Cup, King's Park should have been enlarged, as the original concept called for. For the Olympics, the city should have done what Chicago proposes: build a large temporary stadium to host the opening/closing ceremonies and athletics. And build it only if and when the city secures the Olympics. Then, once the games are over, remove most of the stands so that the city is left with a reasonably-sized athletics venue. But the 'Build it and they will come' idea is silly when there is no other demonstrable need for a stadium of that size.

Atlanta designed its Olympic stadium to be shrunk for later use by the baseball team. Sydney's stadium was shrunk too. Chicago proposes a temporary stadium. I think any of these options would've been more sensible than building a permanent 70,000-seat stadium in Durban.

Rugby can't fill a 70,000-seat stadium in Durban on any regular basis. Durban's domestic soccer sides can't fill such a stadium, and massive international matches aren't a regular event. (As for the rumours about a new African 'super club' financed by some unheard of Korean investor named Tiger Koon, call me when he actually has the money, and when the club exists and has enough fans to fill a large stadium. Until then, I'll file that rumour in the same place as the giant statue of Shaka and the Titanic replica to be built in Durban Harbour.) In the end, the Sharks will be forced to move into the stadium, which they will be unable to fill, and the stadium may still run a loss. Even if the Olympics come, then what happens afterward? What tenant can consistenly fill those seats? And at what cost to the ratepayers?

But now the city had better work its collective ass off to get the Olympics (or to at least secure SA's bid for the Olympics). I support such a bid 100%. I just wish it had been conceived of differently from the beginning.


Just to clarify. The new Durban stadium has a permanent capacity of 50 000, not 70 000. During the games it will be either 70 000 or 85 000 (there are so many conflicting reports on the size during the tournament. The designers say 85 000, LOC say kings park...lol try make sense of anything)

BUT the one thing they have always said is that it will be 50 000 after the games.

Kings Park at present (IMO) would have been wasted on an upgrade due to the age of the facility, the severity of the east stands steepness and the fact that it would have cost R950m to renovate (according to plans by council). To me it is far more beneficial to spend a billion more on a brand new all in one stadium, than spending more money on kings park which has grown over the years in many different expansions and has no coherent structure to it or future legacy role.

While the new stadium does pose many questions and problems, it does offer much more to the city than an upgraded kings park could have. And that is probably the reason why EVERY party in the Durban city council approved its construction

Just to clarify. The new Durban stadium has a permanent capacity of 50 000, not 70 000. During the games it will be either 70 000 or 85 000 (there are so many conflicting reports on the size during the tournament. The designers say 85 000, LOC say kings park...lol try make sense of anything)

BUT the one thing they have always said is that it will be 50 000 after the games.

Kings Park at present (IMO) would have been wasted on an upgrade due to the age of the facility, the severity of the east stands steepness and the fact that it would have cost R950m to renovate (according to plans by council). To me it is far more beneficial to spend a billion more on a brand new all in one stadium, than spending more money on kings park which has grown over the years in many different expansions and has no coherent structure to it or future legacy role.

While the new stadium does pose many questions and problems, it does offer much more to the city than an upgraded kings park could have. And that is probably the reason why EVERY party in the Durban city council approved its construction

I think we need to move from a view of "what should have been done", to a more constructive dicussion about how to secure the future of a stadium, in jhb or durban or ct or pe etc. The first step would be a private operator, perhaps even a public private relationship. We can't stop construction now, so perhaps we need to find ways to make the stadium work.

^^ agree

They planning on bringing Chiefs down to durbs, & if Chiefs agree, they will scrap their stadium plans.

They planning on bringing Chiefs down to durbs, & if Chiefs agree, they will scrap their stadium plans.
if..and if...

Just to clarify. The new Durban stadium has a permanent capacity of 50 000, not 70 000. During the games it will be either 70 000 or 85 000 (there are so many conflicting reports on the size during the tournament. The designers say 85 000, LOC say kings park...lol try make sense of anything)

BUT the one thing they have always said is that it will be 50 000 after the games.

I just skimmed this forum and did a search of the IOL archives. I found no mention of this. If you can show us a source for this, that would be great. A 50,000-seat stadium is much more practical.

I just skimmed this forum and did a search of the IOL archives. I found no mention of this. If you can show us a source for this, that would be great. A 50,000-seat stadium is much more practical.

Not necessary, when the call for designs took place a requirement was that the stadium had a permanent capacity of 50,000, 20,000 additional seats for the world cup and it had to be able to seat up to 100,000.

I think we need to move from a view of "what should have been done", to a more constructive dicussion about how to secure the future of a stadium, in jhb or durban or ct or pe etc. The first step would be a private operator, perhaps even a public private relationship. We can't stop construction now, so perhaps we need to find ways to make the stadium work.

I think in a republic both discussions must take place.

Obviously no city wants a white elephant. So it's critical that, as you say, citizens discuss how to secure the stadia's futures. That's part of ensuring that as little money as possible gets wasted.

However, in a republic, elected leaders make decisions for the citizens, because that is more efficient than having citizens vote on each and every issue. One consequence of that delegated decision-making power is that the elected leaders must, at regularly scheduled elections, be held accountable for their past decisions.

Thus it is crucial that citizens debate the wisdom of past and current projects undertaken on their behalf, using their money, by the elected leaders. Otherwise, citizens cannot judge accurately whether or not those decisions have been worthwhile. (As measured by whatever standard the particular citizen wants: profitability, increased exposure for the city, civic pride, etc.) And unless citizens judge whether past and current projects are worthwhile, they cannot cast informed ballots when it comes time to re-elect their governments.

Limiting discussion to how best to utilise existing (or soon-to-be-built) resources discourages effective citizen participation in government. If citizens don't question the wisdom of past decisions taken in their name, governments at all levels can simply make any decision and then tell citizens, 'Stop whinging, and figure out how to make the best of it.'

Mo, I found your post about the seating capacity in the now-closed Durban discussion. (post 1527 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=7586256&highlight=stadium+permanent#post7586256)) Thanks for the info.

If anyone else is interested, here is the Council's 'Calls for Expressions of Interest' (http://www.durban.gov.za/eThekwini/Municipality/rfps_tenders/public/expired_items/2006/soccer/ei)document. The 2010 and post-2010 capacities are on page 6 (section 4.2).

Knowing that the stadium is designed with an appropriate permanent capacity (45 000 seats) makes it more sensible.

I wonder why no reporters mentioned this in the articles written since the design was announced last June.

I think in a republic both discussions must take place.

Obviously no city wants a white elephant. So it's critical that, as you say, citizens discuss how to secure the stadia's futures. That's part of ensuring that as little money as possible gets wasted.

However, in a republic, elected leaders make decisions for the citizens, because that is more efficient than having citizens vote on each and every issue. One consequence of that delegated decision-making power is that the elected leaders must, at regularly scheduled elections, be held accountable for their past decisions.

Thus it is crucial that citizens debate the wisdom of past and current projects undertaken on their behalf, using their money, by the elected leaders. Otherwise, citizens cannot judge accurately whether or not those decisions have been worthwhile. (As measured by whatever standard the particular citizen wants: profitability, increased exposure for the city, civic pride, etc.) And unless citizens judge whether past and current projects are worthwhile, they cannot cast informed ballots when it comes time to re-elect their governments.

Limiting discussion to how best to utilise existing (or soon-to-be-built) resources discourages effective citizen participation in government. If citizens don't question the wisdom of past decisions taken in their name, governments at all levels can simply make any decision and then tell citizens, 'Stop whinging, and figure out how to make the best of it.'

True, and we have been questioning the value of these stadia for the last year.
Unfortunately in the case of CT, the stadium decision was inherited by FIFA and was always going to go ahead if CT wanted to play its part in 2010. It might turn out to be a good decision if a succesful operator is found.

Cape planners put best foot forward for 2010

By Sarah Lockwood

The City of Cape Town is preparing an extensive upgrade of its pedestrian facilities, which it says need "massive improvements" to cope with the millions of people expected to arrive in Cape Town for the soccer World Cup in 2010.

The plans, now in their final stages, include proposals to improve busy intersections, such as the corner of Buitengracht and Western Boulevard, where a British couple were recently killed by a speeding car.

Other projects are aimed at creating pedestrian-friendly areas around Green Point stadium and the various fan parks where matches will be shown on giant screens.

Alongside these larger changes, the council is also planning a number of smaller measures, such as improving signs and lighting and ensuring adequate paving on all paths to increase pedestrians' safety and make walking around Cape Town a "more pleasant experience."

City transport director Maddie Mazaza said this was a chance to improve a situation she believed was the result of decades of development which had neglected pedestrians.

"We have a very walkable town centre, but because for so long cars and motorised transport have been prioritised over the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, people do not perhaps take advantage of this.

"Throughout the World Cup we will be encouraging as many people as possible to walk or use public transport and we hope that this, combined with the extensive improvements we have planned, will encourage a long-term change in the way local people look at the city and encourage less dependency on private vehicles."

While Mazaza emphasised the importance of the projects to a post-2010 city, and the fact that they should provide "sustainable solutions", there is no doubt that it is the requirements of the World Cup itself that are the major driving force behind the proposals.

Previous World Cups, in particular last year's event in Germany, showed that most fans head into town several hours before kick-off then take their time to wonder slowly to the stadium and various fan parks, stopping at cafes, bars and entertainment venues en route.

Pieter Cronje, the city's 2010 spokesman, said: "We expect a lot of pedestrian movement between the station, the City Bowl, the Waterfront and Green Point throughout the World Cup, so it's essential that we ensure the facilities and infrastructure to deal with this are in place.

"We must certainly look ahead to 2011 but at the same time we must ensure that we can deal with the influx of people in 2010, and that is going to require significant changes, particularly around Green Point."

Although the cost of the plans is as yet unknown, it is expected that introducing the entire Integrated Transport Plan - of which the pedestrian improvements are part - will come with a hefty price tag. Recent estimates put the final cost at "well over" R4 billion.

Mazaza said funding for transport infrastructure in the region of R3bn had been secured and they were "hopeful" they would be able to secure the rest.

"We are working hard at securing the extra money we need, and as soon as we have it we'll be able to start implementing the remaining plans, leaving us plenty of time to put things in place before 2010.

"Many of these plans are for things that have been necessary for some time, and with the additional funding we can access in the run-up to 2010, this is a great opportunity for us to improve the facilities this city offers to pedestrians.

"We just have to make sure it leaves a lasting legacy for residents once the final whistle has been blown."



* This article was originally published on page 8 of The Cape Argus on March 11, 2007

The Argus

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-03-11 09:59:00
© 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.

Drove past the site today on my way to work, they got some massive footings sticking out, It might be for the arch, or the 1st bowl tier.

^^ saw those going on over the wknd and wondered what they were

2010 team to unveil public participation plan

By Lindsay Dentler

The city's 2010 team are expected to announce plans this week for yet another public participation process related to the building of the new stadium at Green Point.

Cape Town residents will be asked to give input on how the Green Point Common should be reconfigured to accommodate existing facilities and how the area, which will include an urban park, should be managed.

This is a condition of the revised environmental Record of Decision (ROD) issued by Environment MEC Tasneem Essop in January.

'the city's proposal for public participation'
Essop's spokesperson Lynnette Johns said the minister had approved the city's proposal for public participation but that she had asked the city to change three of its proposed venues for community interaction in the CBD, Somerset West and Bellville to allow for easier access to attend.

Essop has also asked that the city ensure that critical sectors such as the sports and academic fraternity are consulted during the process.

This will be the sixth public participation process related to the building of the new Green Point Stadium. The city has set aside R120-million to develop the common.

After a budgetary setback two weeks ago the city's bid adjudication committee is expected to finally award the tender to its preferred bidder of Murray and Roberts and WBHO on Monday.

The city has until July 6 to present Essop with its site development and landscaping plans for the Green Point Common around the stadium precinct, which is to take public comment into consideration.

City 2010 spokesperson Pieter Cronje said on Friday that the City was still finalising details of how the process would be carried out and did not yet want to elaborate on the kinds of opportunities residents would have to express their views.

The city has hired a public participation expert to design the process.

This process will be key in charting the future of the Metropolitan Golf Club for which the City agreed last week to build a R25-million golf course on a portion of the Common.

But, ultimately, it will be the public who will give the green light as to whether the part of the common earmarked for this purpose can be used.

Last week, the council's ANC caucus said the city was being too generous to the golf course by agreeing to a 25-year lease, with the option to renew for another 25-year lease, and that either the lease period must be reduced or the land put out to public tender.

These suggestions were rejected by a majority vote of the multi-party coalition.

The ROD prescribes that all existing facilities, including the golf course, be accommodated in the reconfigured design of the common.



* This article was originally published on page 5 of The Cape Argus on March 12, 2007

The Argus

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-03-12 12:29:00
© 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.

2010 world cup will put South Africa on the map with other countries of hosting caliber events....this may help south africa host the olympics someday.

^^ Indeed it will, welcome Houston.

Are they going to award the prefferd bidder for construction today?

Green Point gets the green light

Posted on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 09:41

The 2010 Fifa World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) said it was delighted that the Council of the City of Cape Town has approved the budget for the Green Point Stadium, paving the way for construction of the stadium to commence.
In a letter addressed to the LOC's chief executive officer Danny Jordaan on Monday, Cape Town mayor Helen Zille said that the Council yesterday approved the budget of R2 857 000 000 for the stadium and authorised that construction of the stadium will proceed.

Council also approved an agreement with the Metropolitan Golf Course which allows construction of the stadium to proceed on the Golf Course site with immediate effect.

Council further approved the process for the provisional approval of the building plans for the stadium and mayor Zille assured the LOC that the constructor for the stadium will be on site by next week.

"We must commend the mayor of Cape Town and the city's councillors on a job well done. Cape Town was also going to be a very important part of the country's plans for the 2010 Fifa World Cup and we're very thankful that the city has worked tirelessly to find a solution," said the LOC's executive director of communications and marketing Tim Modise.

Modise commended the co-operation between the city and the LOC's technical team, Dr Jordaan and the LOC's board, as well as the Western Cape provincial government, to resolve the issues around Green Point Stadium.

"We are also satisfied that good progress is being made to resolve outstanding issues in Polokwane and that the partnership between Limpopo's local and provincial government will resolve the matter speedily. An announcement will be made in this regard in due course," said Modise.

R30bn public transport upgrade for Cape

By Anel Powell

More than R30-billion will be spent on public transport and infrastructure in the next three years, with R11-billion being used for 2010-related projects.

A further R12-billion will be spent by municipalities on bulk infrastructure and roads, while R1,2-billion has been set aside to upgrade the railway system.

Marius Fransman, MEC for Transport and Public Works, announced the "immediate funding" for the multibillion-rand strategic infrastructure plan (SIP) on Wednesday at an official launch attended by government and private sector representatives and tertiary institutions.

Fransman said the bulk of the money would go to public transport, housing, hospitals, and schools. "There is strong consensus that a modern and safe and well-run public transport system will play a crucial role in ensuring shared growth and integrated development."

The strategy, a joint effort between the departments of the provincial government, municipalities and the private sector, will run until 2014.

Public transport plans included in the strategy are the improvement of the road-based public transport system, an improvement and extension of the railway network, upgrades of Cape Town and Saldanha ports, a public transport link for Cape Town International Airport and the development of provincial freight networks. A R100-million inner city transport system has been listed as a top-priority project.

The strategy also calls for the regulation of charges on metered taxis.

Ken Briggs, an economist and director of strategic management company FutureLead, racked by internal fighting. In September, President Thabo Mbeki became an ex-officio member of the ANC's provincial executive, apparently in an attempt to stem the brewing tensions between Rasool and the party executive.

Spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama says the national ANC leadership will not intervene in what is a "provincial issue".

Meanwhile, DA provincial leader Theuns Botha has claimed that the first consequence of the all-party vote for a probe into Rasool has been the decision to place the troubled Oudtshoorn municipality under administration.

"This could be an act of retribution led by the premier, for having been humiliated."



* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on March 15, 2007

Cape Times

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-03-15 00:28:00
© 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.

Good news. :) But I'd like to see a breakdown of how much of the R30bn will go to transport. The MEC tells us that 'the bulk of the money would go to public transport, housing, hospitals, and schools.' There are several items on that list that have absolutely nothing to do with transport. Yet the journalist never thought to ask for a spending breakdown by category, and the editors slapped a headline on the story indicating that R30bn has been allocated to transport, when plainly that's not the case.

Good news. :) But I'd like to see a breakdown of how much of the R30bn will go to transport. The MEC tells us that 'the bulk of the money would go to public transport, housing, hospitals, and schools.' There are several items on that list that have absolutely nothing to do with transport. Yet the journalist never thought to ask for a spending breakdown by category, and the editors slapped a headline on the story indicating that R30bn has been allocated to transport, when plainly that's not the case.

I find it unprofessional to decide on such a headline without making sure of ones facts.

The current/latest transport investment stands at R7 billion, I suspect this could increase to R10 billion if plans are to be implemented before June 2010.

I think the additional R4 billion relates to infrastructure associated with public transport but not directly a transport investment. I'll find the breakdown, I do have the breakdown of the R7 billion somewhere.

Transport plan a fly in Bloem's 2010 ointment
By: Mariaan Olivier
Published: 16 Mar 07 - 13:08

Bloemfontein, one of five host cities for the 2010 soccer World Cup, says preparations for the tournament are advancing and that refurbishment work on the stadium is to start in July, but that implementing its transport plan is still a key challenge.

The City of Mangaung’s George Mohlakoana said that the municipality was still to resolve funding issues around implementing a R500-million intermodal transport facility and added that national government had agreed to contribute just over R200-million.

He noted that the municipality was considering implementing the project in phases to ensure sufficient time to source funding.

While a shortfall still existed on the transport, Mohlakoana reported that the municipality had resolved a R20-million budget shortfall for the refurbishment of the 40 000-seater stadium, which had been earmarked for the first and second round matches for the sporting event.

National government had agreed to pay R221-million to upgrade the stadium – one of five stadiums to undergo refurbishment for the games – and the municipality had agreed to put in the balance.

The stadium upgrade would go out to tender this weekend (March 17/18), a contractor would be appointed by June and construction would begin in July, he said, adding that the upgrade would be completed in August next year.

For the World Cup, Bloemfontein would add a second tier to its stadium’s main grandstand, add new turnstiles and upgrade the electronic scoreboards and floodlights.

“We are fortunate; there is not major work to do on the stadium,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bloemfontein’s readiness for the 2010 soccer World Cup was also challenged by information and communications technology and hospitality issues and Mohlakoana said that the city had to rely on the private sector and other spheres of government to provide the facilities.

“But the city has to facilitate the process,” he said, adding that work is progressing.

Bloemfontein would also upgrade its public lighting system as part of its safety and security plan and Mohlakoana pointed out that this would put pressure on Eskom to provide the necessary electricity.

“The city’s preparations are on track, but there are still some key challenges, which mainly falls outside the city’s field.”


http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=105841

i dont think the 2010 World Cup will be a success. the crime is too much of a problem. i think sa will not be ready, thus prompting FIFA to switch the venue to the USA, where there is never a lack of stadiums. i live in jozi and i have for the past 9 months, and the crime is already hurting us. also the taxis in joburg are horrible. their drivers are careless and sloppy. i belive that most of them dont even have driver's licsences (i know i spelled that wrong), is that true??

i dont think the 2010 World Cup will be a success. the crime is too much of a problem. i think sa will not be ready, thus prompting FIFA to switch the venue to the USA, where there is never a lack of stadiums. i live in jozi and i have for the past 9 months, and the crime is already hurting us. also the taxis in joburg are horrible. their drivers are careless and sloppy. i belive that most of them dont even have driver's licsences (i know i spelled that wrong), is that true??

Everyone is definately entitled to their own opinion based on their understanding or perceptions. Those of us who live in South Africa and FIFA know that the world cup in SA will be a success. The safety of spectators is guaranteed and the government is putting a lot of measures and resources to resolve this problem even before 2010. So i hope we will see you in SA come 2010!

'Cape Town will be one of 2010 jewels'
Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 22:14

With its picturesque beaches, breathtaking mountain ranges and laid-back atmosphere, Cape Town is set to be one of the 2010 Fifa World Cup's showpiece cities.

And the beautiful coastal city on Africa's southernmost tip moved a huge step closer to realising its World Cup dreams today when the city held a sod-turning ceremony for its R2,7-billion Green Point Stadium.

The stadium, nestled at the foot of Cape Town's famous Table Mountain and within walking distance of the popular Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, will be far and away the South Affrican 2010 World Cup's most scenic venue.

The chief executive officer of South Africa's 2010 Fifa World Cup Organising Committee (LOC), Dr Danny Jordaan, said the sod-turning ceremony, which will pave the way for construction of the stadium to commence, was a significant moment for the LOC.

"This is an important milestone for the delivery of the World Cup in our country. Cape Town is a major international destination and will form one of the central pillars of delivering a world-class event in South Africa.

The sod-turning ceremony signals a huge vote of confidence in the work that has been done in Cape Town. We must give credit to mayor Helen Zille and the entire council of the city of Cape Town," said Dr Jordaan. Mayor Zille called today's ceremony a "celebration" for the city and its people.

"It's a red letter day in Green Point. The whole world must look at South Africa after 2010 and say Africans could do it. They could get it right professionally, on time, co-operatively and they could get it right in style," said Zille.

The city, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, is bidding to host a World Cup semifinal in 2010.

The stadium will be built by a consortium of the Murray and Roberts and WBHO construction companies.

"The 70 000-seater capacity of the stadium in the city will be a significant boost in terms of the additional number of tickets that will be available to South Africans for World Cup matches. The high number of accommodation available in the city, together with the good public transport network and the beauty of the city will certainly make Cape Town one of the strengths of South Africa's bid to deliver a world-class event," added Dr Jordaan.

Cape Town is rich in football tradition and has produced players such as Blackburn Rovers' prolific striker Benni McCarthy, Bolton Rovers' Quinton Fortune and former Charlton Athletic striker Shaun Bartlett over the years,

"The Green Point World Cup stadium will strengthen the football character of the city. Cape Town has over many years produced quality players and the FIFA World Cup is a huge opportunity for professional football in the city. With a world-class facility available to football in Cape Town, there is no limit to football pursuing the former glory of Cape Town as an important hub of football in our country. The city's footballers will now have the stadium available to deliver high-quality entertainment to the city's many football fans," added Dr Jordaan.

Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool said Cape Town would be a "welcoming window to the world in 2010".

"Today we send a signal to Fifa and the rest of the world that Cape Town is ready to meet all its obligations for 2010," said Rasool.

Provincial boosts CT world cup media hub bid

Sivuyile Mangxamba
20 March, 2007
Cape Argus

Cape Town's bid to host the International Broadcast Centre for the 2010 Fifa World Cup has received a boost from the provincial government's Ministry of Sports and Culture.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/182/402079246_81bb57e2f3_o.jpg

Memories of my matric dance but more importantly a superb location for the 2010 media centre.

Which venue can meet all the FIFA requirements? All three of the cities can. Which venue would be the best for journalists and the world's media? That would be Cape Town. Seen the CT plans and Im very impressed, it is up to FIFA and the LOC though..so lets wait and see.


Bidding begins for 2010 broadcast centre

By Paul Vecchiatto
Posted: 19 March 2007
The 2010 Soccer World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) today began proceedings to evaluate bids to host the international broadcasting centre (IBC). The IBC will serve as the broadcasting hub for the world's largest sporting event.

Tumi Makgabo, LOC communications manager, says the three competing cities – Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban – submitted their written proposals late last week and the process has begun to evaluate them.

“We have started the process and we hope to make a final decision within the next two months,” she says.

Makgabo would not detail the requirements the LOC would need the cities to cater for, but says the proposals would have to meet broadcasting and technical requirements.

In February, government issued a statement saying it would determine where the IBC would be located. However, Makgabo says the final decision rests with the LOC.

“We have, however, engaged fully with the relevant government departments, including the Department of Communications, in the matter,” she says.

Hosting the IBC would provide a fillip for the chosen city. The centre is expected to run 24 hours a day for the entire six-week period, and thousands of journalists and technical people will reside there during the event.

During the 2006 World Cup in Germany, 46 000 broadcast hours were televised from the Munich IBC, placing great demands on ICT infrastructure.

Johannesburg's bid centres on locating the IBC at the Nasrec showgrounds. Durban proposes it be positioned at its International Convention Centre, and Cape Town hopes it will be hosted at an extension to be built on its foreshore.

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/73347297.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6A044CE9FE157CCE8329DF394FE942516
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/73347280.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A623645CB1A2A521B4A55A1E4F32AD3138

^^ no pictures

i dont think the 2010 World Cup will be a success. the crime is too much of a problem. i think sa will not be ready, thus prompting FIFA to switch the venue to the USA, where there is never a lack of stadiums. i live in jozi and i have for the past 9 months, and the crime is already hurting us. also the taxis in joburg are horrible. their drivers are careless and sloppy. i belive that most of them dont even have driver's licsences (i know i spelled that wrong), is that true??

yes it is true, but believe me, in 2010, I doubt most of the crime will be sorted out, but the event will be a success, as in most countries there is a lot of crime, but for major events, security is beefed up to another level ensuring safety for guests, now we cant help it in 2010 say if some tourists wander off to unsafe area's & get mugged or worse, Im sure their would be gidelines on places to stay away from. There are always going to be those morons that will commit crime, here is SA its hard to terminate all these goons that go better things to do.

As for the Taxi drivers, they are a whole different type of evil, dont let me get started on them! ........Road rage :devil:

Have your say:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/sport/2007/03/23/sfnsfr23.xml

n the lush surrounds of Cape Town's Metropolitan golf club, you are hard pressed to find signs of South Africa's struggle to be ready for the next World Cup. For on these fairways an auspicious 'sod-turning' ceremony is being held, to mark the first visible step in the creation of the city's 68,000-seat Green Point Stadium. But, as the speeches and blessings drag on, one question becomes inescapable. In three years' time, this site will host one of the tournament's semi-finals, so should there not, by now, be more than a spade in the ground?

Fifa, despite their insistent calming noises, think that there should be - as does the mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille, who was close to shelving the project before banking firm Investec guaranteed a shortfall of 185 million rand (£13 million). Costs are spiralling, and wrangling over funding reflects a broad unease about the progress of World Cup preparations.

Cape Town hardly has an impressive record on the infrastructure front. Probably the most iconic feature of its central business district is an unfinished flyover, while South Africa's political parties have been torn as to whether the stadium for 2010 should be located at Athlone, home to the Ajax CT football team, or at Newlands, the famous cricket ground. Instead, it will be built in the Waterfront district, concreting over a golf course that lies only a sweetly-struck seven-iron from the sea.
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This stadium's evolution has been - like much of the country's World Cup mobilisation - a story of compromise, in which grave misgivings about the tournament's staging and legacy have had to be set aside in the headlong rush to finish on time. The deadline for Green Point is June 2009, and Fifa president Sepp Blatter is expected to visit South Africa this year to urge a rapid acceleration of building work.

Of 10 host stadiums, five have needed to be started from scratch. The grandiosity of the ambition is staggering - in Durban, the plan is to remodel King's Park as a 70,000-seat sporting citadel that rivals Berlin's Olympic Stadium. But the converse of such planning is cost. That venue alone is likely to eat up two billion rand (£142 million), while South Africa's original stadium budget of 2.4 billion rand has since swelled to 8.6 billion rand and rising.

But the confidence of the building contractors appears undiminished. Sean Flanagan, executive director of Murray & Roberts - one half of the consortium awarded the tender for Green Point - is even emboldened to criticise British examples of construction headaches. Both the Millennium Stadium and Wembley have been, he claims, "spectacular failures" in terms of the substantial losses incurred by contractors John Laing and Multiplex.

Flanagan ought to be cautious, as any further delays in the Green Point project could make his comments sound like idle posturing. However, his view does tap into the stoically positive attitude that South Africa's World Cup planners are showing on the surface. There have been some comic moments in the preparations - such as Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the local organising committee, failing to turn up for a press conference he called himself - but the gaffes are dismissed officially as a fuss over nothing.

It is an inadequate response, for these lapses point to the central debate on whether South Africa is even partly equipped to host a World Cup. Blatter should have enough evidence to judge by the time he visits, but to date he has been loath to criticise. He knows that he needs the support of 52 African nations to be re-elected as president at Fifa's congress in May, and so has not deviated an inch from the line that 2010 is Africa's turn.

Still, the unthinkable is already being voiced - that South Africa will not be ready by 2010, and that the event will be moved, possibly to Australia. To this, however, Fifa's response is invariably: "If not now [in Africa], when?" The World Cup has been so strongly marketed as a transcendent force in Africa that to back down now would, they say, be cowardly.

This is to ignore some colossal challenges. Mayor Zille contends that South Africa's main worry should not be over stadiums, but public transport. She says: "When you look at the public transport infrastructure, it really does make the stadium look like the opening round." Not only are the country's inter-city rail links basic, they are also widely perceived as dangerous, exposed as they are to bands of criminals.

Clearly, in every facet of the supporters' experience, this World Cup is set to be unlike any other. It would be encouraging to think that its stark differences could be celebrated rather than feared. But as the Green Point soil was ceremonially blessed, no amount of stirring oratory could hide the fact that the seeds of doubt have already been sown.

Have your say

Stadium, GDP impact March 7, 2007
I assume figures are in millions
1. Cape Town - R4336 million
2. Durban - R2773
3. Soccer City - R2293
4. N Mandela - R1410
5. Mbombela - R1388
6. Polokwane - R1025
7. Free State - R410
8. Ellis Park - R391
9. Rustenburg - R185
10. Pretoria - R130

LOC: Stadium construction on track for 2010
Johannesburg, South Africa
26 March 2007 05:32

All stadiums will have a construction company on site by the end of the week in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the local organising committee (LOC) said on Monday.

LOC chairperson Irvin Khoza, CEO Danny Jordaan and Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile were briefing the media in Johannesburg after the LOC board meeting.

"All stadiums are well on course. The Fifa delegation was here, they inspected the stadiums and were satisfied," Khoza said.

Stofile said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the responsibility of Fifa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the African Union and the whole of Africa in staging a successful World Cup.

Stofile said South African players deserved to be given an opportunity to develop.

People in rural areas should also benefit from the World Cup. "They should participate in programmes, as volunteers, ushers and guides ... it must be inclusive as possible."

South Africa would celebrate CAF's 50th anniversary in September as one of its four founding members, Stofile said. Celebrations had already been held in Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt.

The LOC meeting was attended by representatives from business, labour and government. -- Sapa

Stadium, GDP impact March 7, 2007
I assume figures are in millions
1. Cape Town - R4336 million
2. Durban - R2773
3. Soccer City - R2293
4. N Mandela - R1410
5. Mbombela - R1388
6. Polokwane - R1025
7. Free State - R410
8. Ellis Park - R391
9. Rustenburg - R185
10. Pretoria - R130

Are they therefore saying that Cape town's stadium is to cost R4,336 billion??? for i doubt it would have that great a gdp benefit over durban's if they were costing the same/similar

They are saying the building of Cape Town's stadium will result in a R4 billion plus impact on GDP, the stadium cost is not that relevant. And yes the GDP impact of the stadium in CT will significantly outdo most of the stadia in South Africa.

^^ and what possible reason do you fathom will make its GDP contribution "significantly outdo" the other stadia?? to me thats wishful thinking and pampering to justify the reasoning behind spending over a billion more than the second most expensive stadium.

Yes it will cost more so gdp contribution will be more, but its relayed benefits could hardly be said to have a far greater impacted. thats thumb sucking at best

^^ and what possible reason do you fathom will make its GDP contribution "significantly outdo" the other stadia?? to me thats wishful thinking and pampering to justify the reasoning behind spending over a billion more than the second most expensive stadium.

Yes it will cost more so gdp contribution will be more, but its relayed benefits could hardly be said to have a far greater impacted. thats thumb sucking at best

i did not invent these figures. the figures were released by the national treasury within this month, and the GDP impact goes beyond stadium cost. In fact its not really related to stadium cost that much. (or cape town or durban directly)

Its the impact building the stadium will have in attracting increased spending in other areas, increased tourism, revenues, for the city and RSA as a whole.

If im not mistaken you yourself mentioned that the V&A waterfront investment would not be as great or would be spread over more than 3 years if it was not for the stadium.

Ill email the guy in who produced the report which was presented to parliament and Ill get the full meaning behind the figures.

It is my understanding that the GDP impact being referred to pertains to the duration of stadium construction, not beyond it (ie, what is being described is not projected profitability of the stadium post-construction, but how much is being invested in stadium-related infrastructure in the lead up to 2010, which will impact on the GDPs of the host cities). Accordingly, it would make sense for the CT stadium to have a higher GDP impact than the other stadiums as aside from the stadium costing more than the other stadiums (despite its shortcomings from the original proposal [not multipurpose, no retractable roofs etc]), there is more infrastructure upgrades needed for Greenpoint than any of the other precincts. All that needs to be done at Kings Park, apart from a new train station) is the erection of the stadium as other supporting infrastructure is largely in place (roads, sewer lines, etc). FNB just needs a major facelift. Everything else is largely in place. Greenpoint needs a major overhaul to make it a WC precinct, more so than the other host cities (new power station [FIFA apparently wants 2] has to be constructed, roads upgraded, major upgrades to water and sewer lines etc).

Bear in mind that post-2010, all the GDPs of the cities will drop proportionate to the increase they experienced leading up to 2010. Their GDPs thereafter will depend on how sustainable their stadiums are as all infrastructure upgrades in the lead-up to 2010 will have been completed by then.

GDP impacts of the stadiums post-2010 will be more interesting to see, when it becomes available 4-5 years from now, as it will give an indication of the respective post -WC economic viabilities of the stadiums.

South Africa: Hospitality Sector Moving Confidently Towards 2010

BuaNews (Tshwane)

March 27, 2007
Posted to the web March 27, 2007

Themba Gadebe
Pretoria

The boost in the country's tourism levels, as well as its knock-on effect on hotel accommodation, shows that the hospitality industry is moving confidently towards the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

"We are moving confidently towards 2010 and beyond and will be focusing on skills development and our staff to ensure a consistent world class delivery," said Helder Pereira, Managing Director of the Southern Sun, Tuesday.

Overall growth of tourism's contribution to the South African economy has had a predictable knock on effect on hotel performance.

"Johannesburg compares well with other international destinations with a 5.5 percent increase in occupancy over the period January to December 2006, compared to 5.3 percent in Paris and 2.4 percent in Hong Kong," Mr Pereira said.

However, her further added that revenue per available room had only increased by 9 percent compared to 29.6 percent in Singapore and 20.6 percent in London.

The statistics also showed that international visitor arrivals, from primary markets United States of America, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, India, Canada and Africa, have continued to grow with a 13.4 percent increase recorded for the period January to October 2006.

"It is therefore quite likely that South Africa will exceed 8 million tourists for last year and this is after 2005 breaking the 7 million barrier for the first time," said Mr Pereira.

Locally, he noted, demand had also increased significantly and overall occupancies of 71 percent attained in 2006, adding that the national average room rates increased by 12 percent and yields have grown by 15 percent.

He explained that Durban had the highest occupancy levels, Cape Town boasted the highest yields and Johannesburg had shown the largest occupancy growth over the last two years.

"While 2010 readiness is a priority at this stage, we have to consider the lessons learnt during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany - where a revenue Per increase of 36.7 percent, made up of an increase in room rates of 39.3 percent and a decrease in occupancy of 2.7 percent was experienced," he warned.

The major reason for this effect, he said, was the displacement of the usual corporate business which was postponed to after the World Cup and this contributed to a rate increase.

"FIFA returned over one million hotel rooms in April, being unable to sell them through the official World Cup Accommodation Service.

"South Africa, however, will be a different scenario," Mr Pereira said.

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