| SA’s new President pledges full support and commitment - 28/09/2008 |
South Africa’s newly elected President Kgalema Motlanthe and ANC President Jacob Zuma have today (26 September) personally reassured FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter of the South African government’s full support for next year’s FIFA Confederations Cup and the first FIFA World Cup on African soil, to be held from 11 June to 11 July 2010 in South Africa. ’We remain on course to host in 2010 the best FIFA World Cup ever – an African World Cup. We would like to assure Africa and the world that the deadlines set by FIFA will be met. South Africa’s hosting of the World Cup is testimony to the achievements of our democracy,’ said the President of the Republic of South Africa to the FIFA President by telephone.
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| Adopt a Nation school campaign kicks off - 28/09/2008 |
One of the most important aspects of the 2010 World Cup is to involve and integrate the entire population from every corner of the country. And there’s no better way to do this than to reach out to the country’s school pupils, their teachers and their parents. With this in mind the 2010 Organising Committee on Saturday kicked off, in partnership with the national Departments of Education and Sport and Recreation, the special school campaign ’Adopt a Nation’, targeting over 12 million scholars from over 30 000 schools throughout the country. The campaign is part of the ’My 2010 School Adventure’ project, focusing on three key pillars; education, development (sports skills and coaching) and participation in regional and nationwide schools football tournaments.
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| Official 2010 mascot unveiled - 22/09/2008 |
626 days before the start of the first African FIFA World Cup at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on 11 June 2010, the cloud of secrecy surrounding the Official Mascot has been lifted. Embedded in a vibrant African-themed live TV show that was broadcast nationwide, Zakumi made his official debut in front of an audience of millions on South Africa’s primetime SABC Coca-Cola Soccer Zone. The Official Mascot, a leopard, has been designed and produced exclusively in the host country. The name is a composition of ’ZA’, standing for South Africa, and ’kumi’ translating into ’10’ in various languages across Africa. Inspired by his football idols, Zakumi has dyed his hair green as he felt it would be the perfect camouflage against the green of the football pitch. ’Zakumi represents the people, geography and spirit of South Africa, personifying in essence the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We are certain we will have a lot of fun with him in the lead-up to and during the FIFA Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup,’ said FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke.
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| Putting a kick into Christmas - 19/09/2008 |
The Dreamfields Project is stepping up its efforts to make sure soccer-loving school children in townships and rural areas end the year on high note. At the same time Dreamfields is offering companies and individuals a meaningful and fun alternative to yet another Christmas party. Dreamfields launched the ’Put a Kick Into the Christmas’ campaign. It encourages corporations, small businesses and individuals to get involved in sponsoring schools located in impoverished communities with soccer kit. To date some 300 schools and organizations have, through the Dreamfields Project, received DreamBags. Each DreamBag comprises three soccer balls, 15 pairs of boots and 15 sets of kit which includes shirts, shorts and socks. A single DreamBag costs R5 500 and the sponsor also has the option of branding the kit and the bag.
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| SAPS Annual Report released - 19/09/2008 |
The Annual Report of the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the financial year 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday 17 September 2008. The Annual Report contains comprehensive information on the five policing programmes – that is Administration, Visible Policing, Detective Services, Crime Intelligence and Protection and Security Services - as well as the annual financial statements of the SAPS. The SAPS has embarked on an exercise to strengthen police stations in an effort to add value and capacity in terms of human and logistical resources. We have noted the positive input that this venture has had on service delivery. In the build up to the FIFA 2010 World Cup, certain major events were utilized to implement, test and refine security plans and this was achieved successfully.
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| Tickets for stadium workers - 19/09/2008 |
The workers involved in the constructions of the ten 2010 World Cup stadiums can expect a very special bonus. ’They are working stone by stone to make sure the stadiums are completed on time, and they are an integral part of the 2010 World Cup. We want to ensure that they will be in the stadiums they created at the first FIFA World Cup matches to bear witness to a South African dream they have been so central in realising. Therefore, every worker will receive two free FIFA World Cup tickets - that’s our promise,’ announced the FIFA President Sepp Blatter. The workers will be given tickets to the first FIFA World Cup match at the stadium they helped build, with the exception of the opening match at the Soccer City Stadium on 11 June 2010.
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| Blatter pays tribute to Madiba - 16/09/2008 |
FIFA President Sepp Blatter paid tribute to ’his friend Madiba’ during a private audience at the Nelson Mandela Foundation with a very special gift. To commemorate the historic moment on 15 May 2004 when the former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela, emotionally raised the iconic trophy right after the 2010 World Cup was awarded to South Africa, Blatter handed over a specifically manufactured replica of the FIFA World Cup Trophy. ’You are the true architect of this FIFA World Cup; your presence and commitment made it happen. Now the first African FIFA World Cup is a reality and the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 – the dress rehearsal – will take place in less than ten months’ time,’ explained Blatter on handing over the trophy to Mandela.
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| Blatter impressed by 2010 progress - 15/09/2008 |
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter continued his four day trip to South Africa on Monday with a visit at the construction site of Cape Town’s 2010 FIFA World Cup stadium and declared himself ’very impressed’ with the advancements made since he last visited the stadium in June 2007, when the construction had barely started. Blatter was in vintage form as he entered the stadium construction site cheered by enthusiastic construction workers: ’It makes me very emotional when I come to the stadium, especially meeting with the workers. They are the real artists of the stadium. They are working stone by stone to make sure the stadium is completed on time. Those stadiums will be a legacy for their families, for the use of their country and for all the people of Africa.’
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| Blatter thanks Mbeki for government’s support - 14/09/2008 |
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter today (Sunday, 14 September) kicked-off his four-day visit to South Africa with an audience with the President of the Republic of South Africa Thabo Mbeki at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.
The talks between Blatter, and Mbeki were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere and were centred on the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the ongoing preparations for FIFA’s flagship competition and next year’s FIFA Confederations Cup. The FIFA President was accompanied by FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, as well the LOC CEO Danny Jordaan. The South African government delegation included Minister in the office of the President Essop Pahad. Blatter acknowledged the significant contributions and support of President Mbeki and his government since their nation was awarded the 2010 FIFA World Cup in May 2004.
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| 2010 focus for Tourism Month - 09/09/08 |
The City of Cape Town is pulling out all stops in celebration of World Tourism Month. The activities kick off with a series of workshops, entitled ’You and Responsible Tourism: 2010 and Beyond’. Emerging Entrepreneurship Workshops on 22 & 23 September will highlight potential business opportunities in tourism, with particular reference to the 2010 World Cup Soccer Tournament.
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| Tourism Month celebrated with strong growth figures - 03/09/2008 |
At the launch of South African Tourism Month 2008 Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, expressed his confidence that the country was well on its way to reaching its targets of 10 million foreign visitors in 2010. Van Schalkwyk, who was speaking at the launch held in Rustenburg in the North West, said foreign arrival figures for the first five months of 2008 indicated strong growth in the face of challenging economic conditions. ’There is no doubt that South Africa is one of the most sought after destinations in the world, and the figures continue to prove this again and again,’ Van Schalkwyk said.
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| SAFA always plays fair - 03/09/2008 |
The South African Football Association is disturbed by unfounded allegations levelled against the Association by the visiting Nigerian team. In terms of the media reports, SAFA stands accused of delaying tactics at the airport with the aim of frustrating the Nigerian Team ahead of the 2010 AFCON qualifying match in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, but SAFA CEO Raymond Hack says the Association is a proponent of Fair Play, ’SAFA has an impeccable record of making visiting teams welcomed in our country, we have hosted many countries from all over the World and our protocol is the same with everyone,’ said Hack.
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| Thousands of trees for 2010 - 28/08/2008 |
Johannesburg City Parks is the greening entity in the City of Johannesburg, responsible for parks, cemeteries, conservation areas, water bodies, road-island beautification and street trees. The challenge for the greening agency is to address outdoor recreation and greening disparities in developing areas, such as Soweto, Alexandra, Lenasia, and Kliptown. To address these imbalances, City Parks is actively lobbying the private sector in planting trees, beautifying road-islands and developing much needed multi-functional parks, by capitalizing on the momentum of the preparations to host the 2010 World Cup. To date in excess of 90 000 trees have been planted as part of a city-wide campaign. An additional 30 000 trees will be planted during 2008, and another 80 000 during the 18 months thereafter- to meet the 2010 target of 200 000 street trees.
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| 2010 LOC Chief Competitions Officer resigns - 28/08/2008 |
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) accepted the resignation of the OC’s Chief Competitions Officer Dennis Mumble, who has resigned due to personal reasons. ’It is with deep regret that we have accepted Dennis Mumble’s resignation. Dennis is a bright, intelligent football administrator with whom I have personally worked since 1990. He submitted his letter of resignation, citing personal reasons, and we will respect his wishes. He has made a tremendous contribution to the Organising Committee and we continue to have the highest regard for his ability. We wish him well in his future endeavors and hope that he may still be an asset to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee in future,’ said Dr Danny Jordaan, the OC’s Chief Executive Officer.
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| SOS Children’s Village to be launched - 25/08/2008 |
When South Africa won the bid to host the 2010 World Cup, a joint venture by FIFA and SOS Children’s Villages determined that 100 orphaned and abandoned children would find a home in the North West Province town of Rustenburg. The campaign known as ’Six Villages for 2006’ was launched in 2004 and four-years on the dream has been realized with the official opening of the SOS Children’s Village. The celebrated event of the official opening of the SOS Children’s Villages Rustenburg, will fittingly be held on Heritage day, 24 September 2008. The event aptly themed “Bana Boswa” which translated means ’children as our future’ will bring together the community and dignitaries who will celebrate the official opening of this, the eighth SOS village in South Africa.
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| Pahad casts around for scapegoats - 22/08/2008 |
Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad’s comments in Beijing to members of the international media, are proof that government is beginning to panic about our readiness for 2010 and is casting around for a scapegoat. There is simply no evidence to suggest that any group of South Africans is against staging the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa. On the contrary, all evidence indicates that South Africans of all races and backgrounds recognise this to be a tournament of international significance and an opportunity to show case our country.
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| Government, FIFA and the LOC face Olympic media - 21/08/2008 |
Just as the 2008 Beijing Olympics was China’s ’coming out’ party to showcase its resurgence to the world, so too the 2010 World Cup will be Africa’s major chance to show off the continent’s positive attributes. And a formidable panel of Minister in the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa Dr Essop Pahad, the country’s Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi, the Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 OC Dr Danny Jordaan and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke reiterated at a media briefing in Beijing today that South Africa was more than ready to take the baton from China in the world sporting spotlight Among a myriad of issues raised by about 200 global media representatives were FIFA’s assessment of South Africa’s readiness to host the event, the status of the country’s 2010 preparations and the safety and security of potential World Cup visitors.
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| McCarthy pledges his support - 20/08/2008 |
Bafana Bafana striker, Benni McCarthy, has expressed his commitment to the National Team and has called on the country to rally behind the side and support National Coach, Joel Natalino Santana. McCarthy says that he is also tired of the negative reports about him and that he wants the nation to know that whenever he gets bad publicity questioning his commitment, it makes him feel like he is not a South African. The player says he wants to be part of the 2010 World Cup team and therefore it’s an honour for any player to be selected to be part of the South African national Team.
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| SA discusses its readiness to host the 2010 WC - 19/08/2008 |
Organisers of the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup(tm) and the leadership of the world football governing body FIFA are in the Chinese capital of Beijing to tell the world about the country’s state of readiness to host the prestigious soccer showpiece in less than two years’ time. The delegation comprises Minister in The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa Dr Essop Pahad, Deputy Minister of Finance Jabu Moleketi, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, SA Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Danny Jordaan, Commissioner Andre Pruis of the SA Police Service and Ray Wheland of MATCH AG. The leaders will on Thursday August 21 participate in a panel discussion with the primary aim of updating the hundreds of media and public attending the Beijing 2008 Olympics on progress in preparing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
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| Soccerex 2008 welcomes more speakers - 18/08/2008 |
Soccerex is delighted to announce George Weah, Pierre Sané, Kalusha Bwalya and Dr. Edward de Bono as the latest confirmed speakers at Soccerex 2008 (23-26 November, Gauteng, South Africa). Weah, Sané and Kalusha will feature on the Soccerex 2008 conference panel entitled “Leaving a Legacy after 2010” which will examine the Corporate Social Responsibility implications following the FIFA 2010 World Cup and focus on how South Africa, and the African continent as a whole, can ensure a positive and lasting outcome for its future generations.
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| A chance to gain experience - 13/08/2008 |
National Coach, Joel Santana, says his selection of players that will feature against the Socceroos of Australia next week Tuesday will offer a chance to other players to gain high level experience. Santana says this is in line with the vision of playing top teams in the world to achieve that. ’Unlike at club level, at national level you don’t have the luxury of having your players day in and day out.’ he said. ’So, one therefore, has to improvise on the given circumstances, but we must remain focused that our main objective is to deliver a world class team for the 2010 World Cup.’ Satana says he will continue to use this year to check out players as part of the 2007 and 2008 strategy to identify and build a base of players.
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| Carnival to light up Joburg streets - 12/08/2008 |
Johannesburg is expected to come to life when more than 15 000 people join the Gauteng Provincial Government in this year’s fourth Pale Ya Rona Gauteng Carnival. Addressing the launch of the carnival in Newtown, Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Barbara Creecy said the carnival encouraged South Africans to tell their own stories. The colourful carnival will take place on 6 September 2008, with 45 troupes. It will depart from Mary Fitzgerald Square and end up at the Johannesburg Stadium. The Gauteng Carnival, introduced as a tourist magnet in the build up to the 2010 World Cup, also aims to celebrate the province’s diverse cultures and showcase artistic talent.
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| Strong FIFA delegation to attend Soccerex 2008 - 11/08/2008 |
Three of FIFA’s most senior officials have confirmed they will attend Soccerex 2008. The FIFA delegation will include: Jérôme Valcke, who will be visiting Soccerex for the second time – his first visit in his new role as General Secretary, Charles-Henry Contamine, Head of New Media, and Hans Klaus, Director of Communications and Public Affairs. In Soccerex’s 12 year history, FIFA have consistently supported Soccerex events, around the world, as a platform to address and network with those involved in the business side of the game. This November, the South African province of Gauteng will again become the hub for the international football community.
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| Acting SAFA President kicks off the technical workshop - 09/08/2008 |
SAFA has kicked off the Technical Workshop to design a comprehensive development strategy in partnership with World Football governing body, FIFA. The Workshop was officially opened by Acting SAFA President, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, at the Riverside Hotel and Conference Centre at Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng South. Chief Nonkonyana led a delegation from the National Executive Committee of SAFA plus FIFA representatives, Development Officer Ashford Mamelodi and Technical Instructor Ben Koufie. The Workshop has also seen good attendance from our Coaches who boast strong development background. Chief Nonkonyana reiterated the NEC’s resolutions to reposition football’s technical structure and develop a strategy as recommended by the Technical Standing Committee, led by Sturu Pasiya as Chairman.
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| Fitch Ratings upgrades Johannesburg - 08/08/2008 |
International rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded Johannesburg’s long-term credit rating to AA-, from last year’s A+ rating, and its short-term rating to F1+ from F1. Stating that the City’s outlook remained stable, the agency said: ’The upgrade reflects the City of Johannesburg’s strengthening operating performance, driven by a growing tax base and subsidies from the national government.’ Fitch suggested that local economic growth should hover around 3 percent per year, given a boost from the public works in preparation for the 2010 World Cup.
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| SAFA to host Technical Workshop - 07/08/2008 |
SAFA will hold a two day Technical Workshop this Saturday and Sunday 9-10 August 2008 at the Riverside Hotel and Conference Centre in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng. This will be a gathering of the country’s football Coaches and Administrators who will convene to review and refine the Association’s Development Strategy. The workshop is one of other projects that SAFA President, Dr Molefi Oliphant and the National Executive Committee, have initiated as part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Football Legacy. Oliphant says an audit conducted on the Associations’ structures and programmes has necessitated an urgent need for repositioning the Development Strategy.
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| LOC announces venue managers - 06/08/2008 |
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) took another important step in the organisation of the tournament when it announced the appointment of eight of the 10 Venue Managers required for the event. The OC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Danny Jordaan, said the appointment of the Venue Managers, who were announced at a press conference at SAFA House today, came at a very important time for the Organising Committee. ’After the Beijing Olympics, there will be only one big show on earth and that is the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Media interest in the World Cup will intensify and from an organising point of view we need to move from a centrally based headquarter to a decentralised structure. In each Host City we must begin to build a structure that will deliver this World Cup in all 10 Host Cities the event will take place in, with the infrastructure required to deliver in each of those cities. The appointment of the Venue Managers is therefore a first step and a very important step in that process,’ said Jordaan.
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| City moves to improve access to 2010 stadium - 05/08/2008 |
Motorists and pedestrians who use the roads in the vicinity of the new Green Point Stadium will, until approximately December next year, have to deviate slightly from their normal routes. In April, the City of Cape Town began construction on the R75m Granger Bay Boulevard project between Main Road and Beach Road, and the construction period for the project is approximately 19 months. The entire traffic circle at the intersection with Western Boulevard will need to be reconstructed to facilitate pedestrian access to and from the adjacent new stadium. ’Although this project has long been part of the City’s Transport Plan, its implementation has been expedited by the advent of the 2010 World Cup,’ said the City’s Director: Roads and Stormwater, Henry du Plessis. ’It is just one more example of how the tournament is providing a catalyst for accelerated development that will, in general, benefit Capetonians as a whole but, in this specific instance, the residents of Green Point and Sea Point in particular.’
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| Jordaan to lead a 2010 panel - 05/08/2008 |
Soccerex are delighted to announce that Danny Jordaan, CE of the 2010 World Cup South Africa Organising Committee will be participating at the 2008 Soccerex Conference programme. Jordaan, who was instrumental in South Africa’s successful World Cup bid, will lead a panel of invited guests entitled ’2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa – the greatest sporting event the world will ever see’. Jordaan will use the Soccerex Conference Programme as a platform to address the football industry on South Africa’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009.
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| ’Exercise Shield’ moves to Bloemfontein - 02/08/2008 |
’Exercise Shield’, a joint exercise between the South African Police Service, the SANDF and other agencies and Government departments will take place around Bloemfontein between 3 August and 9 August 2008. The exercise is aimed at honing our security-related skills to ensure a safe environment in host cities during major events, including securing the national airspace and other strategic key points. Some of the most elite members and units within the security forces will engage in simulated scenarios and enact certain aspects of our emergency contingency plans in order to neutralise any form of airborne and land-borne threat. This operation is considered to be an excellent training opportunity for the security personnel to be deployed during the 2010 World Cup.
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