Guarantees

Government's 2010 Guarantees

National government is responsible for the delivery of 17 guarantees made to FIFA. These guarantees are contained in the bid book and are required of any country that wishes to host the World Cup.

The 17 guarantees provided by various government departments cover access to South Africa, a supportive financial environment, intellectual property and marketing rights, safety and security, healthcare services, transport and telecommunications.

These guarantees were consolidated into an Act of Parliament in September 2006, the Special Measures Act, as per FIFA requirements. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Minister of Finance and the President of FIFA on 27 October 2006 that deals with tax matters for the hosting of FIFA events. This memorandum forms the basis for amendments to the Value Added Tax Act, Income Tax Act and the Customs and Excise Act.

Host cities are responsible for fulfilling the obligations contained in the hostcity agreements signed with FIFA, with support from national and provincial government. The host-city agreements include aspects such as stadiums and official training grounds, supporting infrastructure, an official fan park, city beautification and compliance with FIFA marketing guidelines within the cities.

Guarantees by department:
• entry and exit permits by the Ministry of Home Affairs
• media centre(s) by the Ministry of Communications
• work permits by the Ministry of Home Affairs
• transport by the Ministry of Transport
• customs duties and taxes by the Ministry of Finance
• immigration, customs and check-in procedures by the Ministry of Home Affairs
• other taxes, duties and levies by the Ministry of Finance
• pricing policy by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
• safety and security by the Ministry of Safety and Security
• FIFA’s ownership of media and marketing rights by the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Trade and Industry
• bank and foreign-exchange operations by the Ministry of Finance
• exploitation of marketing rights by the Ministry of Trade and Industry
• telecommunications and information technology by the Ministry of Communications
• indemnity by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development
• International Broadcast Centre by the Ministry of Communications
• national anthems and flags by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• medical care by the Ministry of Health.  

Any country that wishes to host the FIFA World Cup™, arguably the greatest show on the planet, must provide a number of guarantees before football's governing body will grant it the right to host the event.

These guarantees are required so that FIFA - as well as the global football community - can be assured of a successful tournament.

In supporting the South African Football Association (SAFA) in its bid to host the 2010 World Cup, the Government provided a number of guarantees that were detailed in South Africa's original bid document. The 17 guarantees provided by various government departments cover access to South Africa, safety and security, healthcare services, transport and telecommunications

These pledges, however, are not intended to benefit FIFA alone. Rather, fulfilling the guarantees will also help to improve infrastructure and accelerate development .

Access to South Africa

The Government has undertaken that no country will be excluded from participating in the World Cup and that the Ministry of Home Affairs will provide unconditional visas to:

* the FIFA delegation
* FIFA's commercial affiliates
* the broadcast right holders (including the host broadcaster)
* delegations from the finalist national football associations
* the official FIFA partners
* the official Organising Committee suppliers
* media representatives
* foreign visitors to the World Cup

In addition, the Government guarantees special immigration procedures for the FIFA delegation, participating teams and other individuals accredited for the 2010 World Cup.

The Government has also guaranteed that it will take measures, including passing the necessary legislation, to ensure consistent and reasonable accommodation is available to the FIFA delegation, its commercial affiliates, the broadcast-rights holders and accredited media during the World Cup.

A supportive financial environment

The Ministry of Finance has agreed that it will waive custom duties, taxes, costs and levies on the import and subsequent export of goods belonging to the FIFA delegation, its commercial affiliates, the broadcast right holders, the media and spectators travelling to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

The National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service have also guaranteed administrative support in handling tax connected to the event.

As for foreign currency: the National Treasury has guaranteed unrestricted import and export of all foreign currencies to and from South Africa - as well as their exchange and conversion into US dollars, euros or Swiss francs.

For more on this see legislation .

Safety and security

The Ministry of Safety and Security, supported by the South African Police Service (SAPS), has guaranteed to ensure safety and security during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A written security plan is being developed and implemented in conjunction with the Organising Committee.

The Government guarantees the safety and security of the FIFA delegation, media representatives and other individuals accredited to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Telecommunications

The Ministry of Communications has guaranteed that the telecommunications infrastructure will conform to FIFA's requirements. This includes the infrastructure for wire and wireless national and international telephone, data, audio and video exchanges.

The Government will also help the Organising Committee to set up a fully equipped central media centre, as well as subsidiary media centres in the host cities.

Transport

The Government has guaranteed it will have in place a transport infrastructure that can accommodate the travel demand created by the World Cup. The Ministry of Transport will coordinate the provision of efficient and safe transport in each host city and, with its partners in the transport sector, ensure sufficient and appropriate transport capacity.

For more on this see transport .

Healthcare

In keeping with health-service requirements outlined by FIFA, the Ministry of Health has guaranteed that the infrastructure of the South African health system - and, specifically, a comprehensive medical and disaster-management service - will be available in the host cities for the World Cup.

The Government has also promised that the existing health infrastructure will be upgraded, in keeping with its mission to provide a caring service to all South Africans and to ensure an effective health infrastructure for the event.

For more on this see legislation .

FIFA rights

The Government has, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, given assurances that there will be no legal restrictions on the sale or distribution of the products of FIFA's commercial affiliates in the 2010 World Cup stadiums.

The Government also acknowledges FIFA's intellectual property rights. It will also provide FIFA with the support of relevant local authorities to help protect its marketing and broadcast rights.

The Ministry of Justice has guaranteed that FIFA will be indemnified against any proceedings or claims that may arise in relation to the organising and staging of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.