Pretoria

The recent success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa has provided an example of how the public sector can work together across spheres to deliver a world-class event, says Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

Government estimates that the 2010 Fifa World Cup added a percentage more to the country’s growth, when spending on stadiums and infrastructure was taken into account.

Senior police officials say the crime situation in the country will not be given a chance to go back to where it was before the 2010 World Cup.

Government says a key benefit of the 2010 FIFA World Cup was improvements made to the country’s public transport system which will benefit South Africans for years to come.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup brought with it more than 1.4 million tourists to the country, most of whom were first time visitors to South Africa.

Government says the lasting legacy that the 2010 football spectacle has left shows that “today is already better than yesterday.”

According to FIFA, a total of 3.1 million spectators attended the 64 matches of the 2010 tournament, which is the third highest aggregate attendance behind the United States in 1994 and Germany in 2006.

The hosting of the FIFA World Cup has effectively rebranded South Africa, transforming perceptions of the country's capacity and instilling immense national pride, says President Jacob Zuma.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sung South Africa’s praises for hosting a “memorable” World Cup.

Airport Company South Africa has confirmed that it will compensate match ticket carrying passengers who missed Wednesday night’s FIFA World Cup semi-final between Germany and Spain in Durban due to congestion at King Shaka International Airport.

At least 15 African Heads of State are expected to grace Sunday’s World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain and the closing ceremony of the biggest ever football spectacle.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is to meet with the Auditor-General as well as the chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) over purchases of World Cup tickets by government and its entities.

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has expressed regret at the inconvenience caused to football fans who missed the 2010 FIFA World Cup semifinal between Spain and Germany in Durban last night (Wednesday, 7 July 2010) due to their planes being delayed.

It will only be clear on the day, if former President Nelson Mandela might or might not be attending the closing ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.