Preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ are on time and within budget, says the head of the City's 2010 unit.

JOHANNESBURG'S preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ are well on track, within budget and ahead of schedule, according to the executive director of the City's 2010 unit, Sibongile Mazibuko.

Speaking at a press briefing at Safa House on Monday, 11 June, Mazibuko said the City was preparing to host an event that would delight and surprise both local residents and visitors.

Mazibuko took the visiting soccer stars on a site visit of Soccer City, which is undergoing a R1,5-billion revam to host the finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)

Safa is the South African Football Association. The briefing was held as part of a tour of Soccer City and Orlando Stadium.

German national team players Piotr Trochowski and Philipp Lahm attended the tour, as both wanted to see the progress that had been made by the City - and the stadium they would be playing at should Germany qualify for the soccer spectacular.

"We are looking forward to the tournament and we are confident that South Africa [will] give the world a great showpiece," Lahm said.

Kheepe Moremi, the marketing director at the International Marketing Council, said, "These two players are kicking soccer balls in South Africa today and will be back here in 2010 to see magnificently completed stadiums and a proud and united South Africa after showing the world and each other that we've done it before and can do it again."

Johannesburg is the only city in the country that will have two venues used in the group stages of the 2010 event, namely Soccer City and Ellis Park. Soccer City will host five first-round matches, one second-round match, a quarter final and the final.

"That stadium, which will also host the final and deciding match of the world's greatest sporting spectacle, will be ready and completed in April 2009, well ahead of the start of the tournament," Mazibuko said.

"You can see for yourself where one of the world's most modern and best equipped sports stadiums will be erected from what is today a massive construction site."

Director of 2010 in the City of Joburg Sibongile Mazibuko and Danny Jordan 2010 CEO addressing the media on 2010 progress at SAFA house
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)

Soccer City recently received a cash injection of R1,5-billion, to increase its capacity to 94 000 by March 2009. Work began in January 2007, with a sod-turning ceremony attended by Executive Mayor Amos Masondo.

In addition to the extended seating, the two-tiered stadium will be fitted with an encircling roof.

Many of the top teams will complete their final preparations at six training venues in and around Johannesburg, including Orlando Stadium, Dobsonville Stadium, Rand Stadium, Cecil Payne Stadium, Rabie Ridge Stadium and Ruimsig Stadium.

Orlando and Dobsonville stadiums already meet FIFA's requirements in terms of the number of spectators they can accommodate, safety standards, medical facilities, flood lighting and media needs.

"The earthworks at Orlando Stadium are already completed and almost a quarter of the construction work has been done. At Dobsonville and Rand stadiums work has passed the 15 percent mark and both will be completed by October 2008," Mazibuko said.

"We are looking beyond 2010 at projects that will bring lasting benefits to Johannesburg in our efforts to create a world-class, African city and improve the lives of our people."