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Legacy projects, finance and infrastructure were some of the topics discussed with a group of Brazilians in town on a World Cup fact-finding mission.
WITH pen and paper in hand, fascinated visitors from Brazil took down notes as City officials told stories about the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
 Executive mayor Parks Tau receives a gift from the president of Unale Jose Luis Schafer (Photo: Enoch Lehung)A delegation of 15 – all members of Unale, an organisation made up of representatives from various Brazilian states – were in town seeking advice on and the insight into hosting the massive football tournament.
They will apply what they have learnt here in preparations to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, taking place in their country. The delegates met City officials on 29 November at the Metro Centre building in Braamfontein
Present to chat to them were Executive Mayor Parks Tau, accompanied by the City manager, Trevor Fowler. Members of the mayoral committee for community development, Chris Vondo; for health, Nonceba Molwele; for public safety, Matshidiso Mfikoe; and for finance, Geoffrey Makhubo, were among other officials at the meeting.
Giving pointers, Tau, who was the finance portfolio head at the time, said: “Hosting an event such as the World Cup was not easy; it took a lot hard work. For us, it was about determination, result and commitment. We also urge you to soldier on during difficult times.”
Finance
Finance was one of the most critical factors, he explained. “Manage any amount of financial challenge; there will be constraints, especially when it comes to the construction of infrastructure, such as the stadiums."
FNB Stadium – known as Soccer City during the tournament – was one of the most expensive infrastructural facilities, he said. “It was challenging at times to manage the finances that went into building that stadium.”
But he also pointed out that hosting a successful World Cup did not entirely rely on infrastructure. “It is important to involve citizens. They must take ownership of the event. We used to have Football Fridays, when we encouraged citizens to wear football jerseys, especially those of the national team.
“This created an atmosphere where everyone felt that they were part of the World Cup. Football jerseys became a uniform that everyone identified with.”
He said visitors must feel the warmth of the people of Brazil in 2014.
 Unale president Jose Luis Schafer: Lessons learnt will help Brazil (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)Echoing Tau’s sentiments, Vondo encouraged delegates to be resilient in spite of any criticism. “Work hard to ensure that you realise your dream. We realised ours when we hosted the 2010 World Cup.”
He said they should prove to the doubting Thomases that they had the ability to stage a world-class event.
Fowler also spoke, saying: “The World Cup in Joburg has left a lasting legacy. Long after it has passed we are still left with world-class stadiums, roads and transport systems such as the [Bus Rapid Transit].”
He said the 2014 World Cup was an opportunity for Brazil to shine.
Brics
The president of Unale, Jose Luis Schafer, said his team was ready to return to Brazil and implement what they had learnt. “We will go back home to share our experiences and lessons learnt in Johannesburg, to ensure that all leaders in our legislature are able to plan from this experience.”
Brazil and South Africa are members of Brics, the bloc of powerful developing nations that includes Russia, India and China.
At the meeting, a video was screened that showed events of the World Cup and how it transformed the landscape, the economy, and tourism in the city. It included some of the projects opened during the tournament that are still benefiting communities today.
In all, there were seven mayoral legacy projects, which included housing and recreation facilities.
The video also showed how residents and visitors embraced Rea Vaya, the public transport system. Work done by other municipal entities, including City Parks; City Power, Johannesburg Roads Agency and Joburg Water was also seen in the video.
In concluding the activities of the day, Tau handed over a model of FNB Stadium to Schafer; in return, he received invitations to the Public Administration Conference taking place in Brazil in April 2012. The conference will be attended by other members of Brics.
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