On 21 May 2009, the 2010 Host City Forum declared South Africa “ready in all respects” to host the Fifa Soccer World Cup

The forum, consisting of senior representatives of all nine World Cup host cities, was held at the 2010 Fifa World Cup Organising Committee South Africa’s SAFA House headquarters in Johannesburg.

The forum dealt with 2010 issues such as transport, ticketing and fan parks, as well as comprehensive project updates from all the 2010 host cities.

With the 2010 Fifa World Cup now just over a year away, and the Fifa Confederations Cup on the way, the forum has grown in size as a number of the country’s newly appointed provincial premiers, MECs (provincial ministers) and host city mayors attended the meeting.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, North West Premier Maureen Modiselle and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane; as well as Rustenburg Mayor Matthew Wolmarans, eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba and Mbombela Mayor Lassy Chiwayo were among the senior politicians who attended.

It was chaired by the country’s new Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sicelo Shiceka.

“The meeting agreed that as a country, we are ready in all respects to host the Fifa Confederations Cup and we are looking forward to the start of the competition. The stadiums are ready and even the infrastructure touch-ups around the stadium precinct have now been done, while the issue of security in and around the stadiums has also been addressed.

“We also received a presentation from the company doing the opening and closing ceremonies for the Fifa Confederations Cup, which was very impressive,” said Shiceka.

The minister was pleased that many of the country’s most senior politicians attended the forum, which he believed was an illustration of their commitment to the greatest national project South Africa has ever undertaken.

“I believe going forward, the presence of the premiers and mayors will take the forum from strength to strength,” added Shiceka.

bizcommunity.com