15 June 2006

By Ndaba Dlamini

The City of Johannesburg hopes to gain invaluable experience from the 2006 FIFA Soccer World Cup when officials from each of South Africa's host cities attend an observer programme and host city exhibition in Germany to prepare them for 2010.

"The intention of the programme [which will take place in Berlin from 16 to 25 June] is to observe operational aspects at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, as it is the only World Cup between now and 2010," says the City's newly appointed executive director of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Sibongile Mazibuko.

"It will also assist each of the South African host cities plan for the 2010 FIFA World Cup."

Each South African host city is expected to send a city manager, a 2010 project manager and a stadium manager to Germany to get hands-on experience on the operations of the World Cup.

"The city manager, Mavela Dlamini, and George Stainton, the Ellis Park Stadium Manager, will join me on the observer programme trip," says Mazibuko, adding, "I would have loved to take along more people since there are so many areas that need attention."

She says that in addition to budgeting and expenditure patterns the City's team hopes to find out more about during the programme, there are many risks that need to be understood. "We hope to learn how Germany handled emergency management issues, transport and event facility management so that we adopt best practice," she adds.

The Berlin exhibition for the 2010 host cities, organised by the 2010 Local Organising Committee, the 2006 FIFA World Cup German Local Organising Committee and FIFA representatives, will take place from 7 to 9 July.

The closing ceremony on 9 July will also mark the handover of the official title to the South African FIFA World Cup hosts. South Africa will officially unveil their 2010 emblem during the exhibition.

The South African delegation will also reveal their African Legacy Programme, a new venture in that for the first time a hosting World Cup country will attempt to make the event one of total continental involvement. A 2010 Ambassador Programme will also be presented.

Johannesburg's executive mayor Amos Masondo, the mayoral committee member for finance and economic development, Parks Tau, the mayoral committee member for community development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza and Mazibuko will attend the exhibition.

Four marketing officials are also expected to join the city officials.

"I understand the senior leadership of the country will also be there to take part in the exhibition and handover ceremony," Mazibuko says.

"The exhibition will give the City an opportunity to market itself as FIFA sponsors, and business partners will attend the exhibition. This is an opportunity for the City to showcase its facilities to attract visitors, investors and teams to the city," says Mazibuko.

 

Source: Joburg.org.za