South Africa is on track to deliver on its promise to successfully host the 2010 FIFA World Cup between 11 June and 11 July 2010, says South African Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan. This was during his budget speach earlier this week that was being called the most important of recent times. He was so positive about the event he even borrowed a catchphrase from Nobel Peace Prize winner, Barak Obama.
Source: FIFA
Tabling his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in Parliament, Minister Gordhan said South Africa would host ‘a great festival of football'.
"Yes we can. Next year, as we invite the world to join us in a great festival of football, we will demonstrate that we can take on a giant project, work to a plan, complete major construction projects, reconfigure city transport systems, and energise a uniquely South African diversity of hospitality arrangements," he said.
Gordhan said South Africa had silenced skeptics. "Of course there were skeptics - there were those who said we couldn't do it, who talked about the lights going out, who spread dark rumours of plan B - but those voices are now silent.
"Our preparation for the 2010 World Cup began with a vision, and a statement of intent," he said.
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. BuaNews
