News
2010 more than just a game – Govt
21 August - The 2010 Fifa World Cup to be hosted in South Africa should be used as a vehicle to send new images to the world about the people of South Africa and the African continent alike, media delegates in Beijing have heard.
World Cup to boost SA tourism
21 August - South African tourism and leisure sectors are set to benefit from the country’s hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™, Deputy Minister of Finance Jabulani Moleketi said on Thursday.
SA police promise safe World Cup
19 August - South African National Deputy Police Commissioner Andre Pruis says the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup™ and the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ to be held in South Africa will be safe.
Media to scrutinise 2010 preparations
15 August - A contingent of international and local media representatives has been invited to put preparations for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ under the microscope in Beijing, the Department of Sport and Recreation said in a statement on Friday.
2010 lessons from Olympic volunteers
15 August - Potential volunteers for the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup™ and 2010 Fifa World Cup™ to be hosted in South Africa will have to be on top of their game to ensure that crucial areas of operations are well-manned during the events.
SA must unite to make 2010 a success - govt
13 August - With less than 666 days left before the biggest soccer event on the African continent kicks off, government has called on South Africans to come together and share the vision of making it a memorable success.
Fifa: Nothing can go wrong in 2010
12 August - Fifa boss Sepp Blatter has once again reiterated his confidence in South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ saying the event will change the face of the tournament.
Beijing comes alive with Olympic spirit
12 August - Giant outdoor screens brandishing the Olympic circles, sports memorabilia, Chinese flags, strict traffic flow protocol, heavy police presence, branded commodities, scores of tourists, giant official mascots, late night food markets, and game.
LOC gets ball rolling at Host Cities
06 August - The 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa™ Organizing Committee has announced the appointment of eight Organising Committee Venue Managers in a move aimed at dispersing its operations to host city level.
2010 boss for Soccerex
05 August - Soccerex have announced that Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa™ Organizing Committee will be participating at the 2008 Soccerex Conference programme.
Volunteer applications hit 20 000
04 August - More than 20 000 South Africans have applied to volunteer during the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup™ tournament, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Volunteer Programme said on Friday.
2010 security exercises in Bloemfontein
04 August - South African law enforcement agencies will hold joint security exercises in Bloemfontein in preparation for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™, South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement on Sunday.
16 May 2008
SA on course to host the best world cup ever
Vivian Warby
Cape Town – South Africa’s preparations towards hosting one of the largest soccer events in the world are on track, Government Spokesperson Themba Maseko has said.
Speaking at a Post-Cabinet briefing in Cape Town on Thursday, Mr Maseko said government remained confident that the Fifa Local Organising Committee (LOC), soccer authorities and all host cities would not only be ready to host the world cup, but would exceed the expectations of the soccer loving community.
This was evident from the decision of the Board of Directors of the LOC that all five stadia, which were originally designated to host the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009, will be retained.
This includes the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, which FIFA was concerned would not meet the deadlines for preparations.
He said Cabinet had welcomed this decision which reflected that South Africa was indeed on course to host the tournament.
The successful launch of the Schools World Cup by the Department of Education was noted by Cabinet as a programme that would excite the youth about South Africa’s hosting of some of the World’s best soccer stars during the Confederations Cup and world cup.
Education Minister Naledi Pandor kicked off the Schools World Cup in Soweto last weekend. She said the tournament was held to prepare young people for the world cup and help them get an understanding of the diverse world we live in.
In a competition launched in conjunction with the event, schools are to assume the identities of the participating countries and will be encouraged to fly that country's national flag, sing its national anthem and engage in activities such as preparing the national food of the country they represent.
This will encourage mass youth participation in football and help nurture young boys and girls.
Ms Pandor said the initiative was also aimed at luring school children away from the streets and inappropriate habits, and encouraging them to engage in healthy lifestyles.
Cabinet noted that a number of high profile events would be taking place over the next few months giving South Africa an opportunity to promote the country and the continent to the world.
The fist major event is a meeting of the Presidential International Investment Council at San Lameer, in KwaZulu-Natal from Friday.
Mr Maseko said Africa Day, which is celebrated on 25 May, would also be the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation for African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (AU).
SA Tourism hosted a tourism Indaba in Durban. Cabined noted that the Indaba succeeded in showcasing South Africa as one of the world’s leading tourist destination, Mr Maseko said.
Other high profile events is the World Economic Forum on Africa taking place from June 4 to June 6 this year at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and the International Media Forum on May 22 and May 23 at the Forum in Sandton.
Added to that, the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism will be hosting the 12th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on Environmental (ACMEN) from June to June 12, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
All these events would showcase the country ahead of the world cup.
Source: BuaNews