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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 13 Aug 2008 Title: SA must unite to make 2010 a success - govt -------------------- By Bathandwa Mbola Pretoria - 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. Briefing reporters on government's readiness to host the event on Wednesday, Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi said when soccer spectators leave South Africa - they must leave with a desire to return because of the country's hospitality. "All South Africans [must] rally their efforts behind the 2010 project in their various areas of expertise to ensure that come 2010, we deliver the best world cup ever," said Mr Moleketi. South Africans have shown great interest in the event in various ways. Since the launch of the volunteers programme for the 2009 Confederations Cup, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has received over 20 000 applications from South Africans willing to be part of the making of the historic occasion without being paid. "This is just one of the signs that we are ready to welcome the world," he told the media briefing. Mr Moleketi also assured the international community that the country is on track to deliver on all of FIFA's requirements ahead of the world cup. Since winning the bid to host the world cup in 2004, infrastructure projects have been carried out in line with the need to handle the scores of people who will be visiting the country and wanting to watch the matches. The projects include the building and upgrading of stadia, the upgrading of transport networks in host cities, providing Information and Communication Technology infrastructure and improved energy capacity. Highlighting the progress made on some of these projects, Mr Moleketi indicated that all stadia, both for the Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup, will be completed in time to meet the FIFA deadlines. "Construction is on schedule and our deadlines remain. All ten stadiums required for hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be ready for the final inspection date which is December 2009, while the Confederations Cup matches' four venues will be completed by mid December 2008." Government has estimated an overrun of R2 billion in upgrading stadia. "There are going to be some cost over-runs," he said, adding that this could be the result of increases in the cost of importing equipment, the high international oil price and complexities in the design of some of the stadia. Mr Moleketi said the extra funds would come from the national fiscus and the individual host cities. The South African Police Services (SAPS), together with other law enforcement agencies, have developed a standard checklist of safety and security requirements which have been developed and circulated to all host cities. The host cities will have to adhere to the checklists. Elaborating on how the SAPS will deal with organised crime, Deputy National Police Commissioner, Andre Pruis said the fight against organised crime was ongoing ahead of 2010. "We have started with our training exercises to test our abilities during the 2010 FIFA World Cup," he told the briefing, referring to Operation Shield. The police and SANDF, together with various other security and disaster management agencies, have been conducting simulated operations (Operation Shield) to test their members' strengths and find their weakness. Commissioner Pruis said they also had measures in place to deal with terrorists or suspected terrorists. "We have a list of internationally wanted criminals and we do have measures in place on how we will deal and address the issues during the world cup." In addition, the SAPS, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and Department of Correctional Services have agreed on an integrated plan for the possible arrest, court appearance and brief detention of offenders during match days. On immigration services, the Department of Home Affairs is developing a visa regime that is responsive to event participants' needs. Event-specific visas are being developed to enable ticket holders to enter into the country with ease. These visas will be used for both the Confederations Cup and World Cup. With regard to health and emergency services during the event, government has said a process of appropriate hospital-identification has begun. This will include the assessment of certain hospitals which can be designated for VIPs, private medical aid-funded patients and mass casualty reception centres in the event of disasters. Initiatives to improve emergency medical services are progressing well, with five provinces contracting specialists to upgrade their communications centres and purchasing new ambulances. The department has further prepared comprehensive standards for health and medical services for stadiums, FIFA Fan Parks and Public Viewing Areas. A dedicated health web-site has been completed and should go live in September. This web-site will provide information on health preparations, health promotion information, travel medicine and will be a platform for applications by health volunteers. - BuaNews |
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