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.
22 July 2008
World Cup's green legacy
Johannesburg - More trees, clean rivers and green playing fields are some of the long-lasting benefits from the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ that Joburg’s residents will enjoy.
Long after the 2010 Fifa World Cup has come and gone, Joburg will be able to point out the positive impact of the event on the environment.
The City of Johannesburg has identified a number of legacy projects linked to the World Cup, with long-term benefit to residents – a green legacy is one of these.
When executive mayor Amos Masondo led the planting of 6 000 trees to launch Greening Soweto in September 2006, an ambitious project to beautify the massive township ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he began what has become Joburg’s "biggest greening revolution".
Since then, tens of thousands of indigenous trees have been planted along Soweto’s streets and in its gardens.
This plan was to counter an historical imbalance: Johannesburg is internationally recognised as an urban forest, but the description can only be applied to its northern suburbs. Little attention was paid to planting trees in the south. Nowhere is this more visible than the streets and parks of Soweto.
Through the R7,6-million Greening Soweto project, the City plans to plant more than 300 000 trees. "It is by far the biggest greening initiative in terms of implementation," says Jenny Moodley, the spokesperson at Johannesburg City Parks, the agency charged with the mammoth task of implementing it.
The agency is working closely with various international and private partners to change the face of Soweto. And residents have responded positively to it, she says, with many pledging to take care of the trees long after the final whistle of the World Cup has been blown.
Another 2010 legacy project is the rehabilitation of Soweto’s Klipspruit catchment area, which has been severely polluted in recent years. Work is being done to clean up the riverbanks, remove rubble and refuse, and manage the growth of reeds, according to the head of the City’s 2010 office, Sibongile Mazibuko.
"This project is of great importance for the whole of Gauteng because the river flows into the Vaal system, which provides the domestic water for all consumers in the province. The intention is that Klipspruit will develop into a green lung with new opportunities for research and leisure along the banks."
Other projects linked to the 2010 event also emphasise a "Green Agenda".
With the large number of visitors expected in Joburg for the World Cup, the City is gearing up to deal with the expected increase in the volumes of waste and refuse.
Plans are in place to recycle rubble from the old Orlando Stadium – being demolished and rebuilt – and Soccer City, using it for building the new facilities.
The City is grassing all soccer fields and other open spaces in disadvantaged communities. The aim is not only to improve the aesthetics of these areas but also to create opportunities for recreation.
Furthermore, natural resources will be used in the revamped Soccer City. Rainwater will be caught in massive retainers and used to irrigate the field, while recycled "grey water" will be utilised in the ablution facilities.
"The intention is to make Soccer City self-sustainable as far as its water and power needs are concerned," says Mazibuko.
The use of solar panels to generate power for the stadium is being investigated. Any excess electricity will be channelled back into the city’s power grid. The stadium’s floodlights will be powered from the normal grid, however, supported by huge back-up generators.
Johannesburg, a mining town, is replete with mine dumps of all shapes and sizes. As a way to stabilise the soil and prevent air pollution from fine dust from these dumps, the City is considering a partnership with mining companies to embark on an initiative to green the mine dumps.