MEDIA RELEASE ON FIFA WORLD CUP 2010
BY SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM
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Media Release
SOUTH AFRICA IS READY TO HOST 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP Investments, stadiums, infrastructures and news for the first African World Cup
South Africa is ready to host 2010 FIFA WORLD Cup, thus becoming the first African State holding this event. A big acknowledgement for a country which, over few year of democracy and freedom, has achieved a relevant international role and has been appointed to manage such a primary sports event.
The whole country is working hard to make the FIFA World Cup an unforgettable event which, apart from sports, will be so important for Africa. The 2010 Event, in fact, will strengthen the image of South Africa and of the whole continent by consumers as well as the International strategic markets.
As an estimate, the Football Championship will contribute to the Country¡¦s economy with some 50 billion Rand (=4.6 billion Euro) invested in construction and new buildings and with a further revenue of 15.6 billion Rand (about 1.5 billion Euro) from tourism. During the football tournament, in fast, some 450,000 foreign tourists are expected to visit South Africa and spend about 9.8 billion Rand (=900 million Euro). The success of the World Cup will then have a long-term fallout for South Africa and the whole continent.
In such a context tourism stands for an extremely valuable resource able to produce benefits for local populations in terms of economic growth, increase in investments and employment.
INVESTIMENTS
The South African Government invested in the Football Championship 28 billion Rand, equivalent to about 2.5 billion Euro.
Most relevant interventions were made on stadiums, transportation and airport infrastructures. In particular, investments have been affected as follows: - 9.8 billion Rand (about 900 million Euro) for stadium and development of surrounding areas; - 13.6 billion Rand (about 1.2 billion Euro) for transportation infrastructures, including roads, the new BRT [Bus Rapid Transport] - public system, intermodal connections, improvement of motorway network, etc.; - 19.5 billion Rand (about 1.8 billion Euro) for airports.
¡@ STADIUMS 10 stadiums will host the World Cup, located in 8 of the 9 provinces of South Africa, granting for a total capacity of 570,000 seats.
Capacity: 94,700 Symbol of today¡¦s South Africa, the brand new Soccer City stadium, is the largest in the country and will host some of the most important matches of 2010 World Cup, including the opening match and the final. Fully refurbished upon its original structure built in 1987, the new stadium design is inspired by the African ¡¥calabash¡¦, a traditional African cooking pot.
JOHANNESBURG: Ellis Park Stadium Capacity: 61,000 In 1995, on the occasion of the Rugby World Cup, the Ellis Park Stadium celebrated the historical victory of the South African National Rugby Union Team against New Zealand. Its refurbishment started in 2007 and took 18 months.
Capacity: 50,000 The home ground of the well known ¡¥Blue Bulls¡¦ rugby team, this stadium started being refurbished in 2007; renovation mainly dealt with the west wing, the sound system, spotlights and backboards. ¡@
Capacity: 70,000 Maybe the most scenographic stadium of 2010 World Cup, located between the Table Mountain that dominates Cape Town and 500 m. far from the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Green Point Stadium will host several important matches, including the quarter finals and a semifinal match.
Capacity: 70,000 The new stadium in Durban is featured by a 550 step walk to the top of the 106m high viewing platform at the top of the arch stretching over the stadium, which is also served by a funicular. The stadium is to host 5 matches in the first round, 1 in the second round and 1 semifinal. ¡@
PORT ELIZABETH: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Capacity: 45,931 The first stadium of 2010 World Cup to be officially opened on 7 June 2009 ¡V a year before the tournament. It will host 8 matches, including 1 final quarter and the 3rd place play off.
Capacity: 45,000 The only privately-owned stadium among the 10 hosting 2010 World Cup, the Rustenburg stadium, located in the North West province, was refurbished to increase its total capacity.
POLOKWANE: Peter Mokaba Stadium Capacity: 45,000 Situated in the capital of the Limpopo province, the stadium is brand new. Polokwane is a dynamic urban centre, ideal for a stop-over on the way from Johannesburg to the Kruger Park.
Capacity: 46,000 The signature feature of the stadium are the 18 roof supports that resemble South African giraffes. Thanks to the development of surrounding areas, the Stadium is to become a big sports centre serving the city of Nelspruit as well as the whole Mpumalanga province.
Capacity: 45,000 Since many years the stadium has been home ground of the Free State Cheetahs rugby team as well as of the Bloemfontein Celtic football team; it only underwent a minor renovation. INFRASTRUCTURES From 2005/2006 till 2009/2010 the South African Government made a total investment of 170 billion Rand (=about 15.5 billion Euro) in the country¡¦s transportation system. As far as airports are concerned, most relevant investments dealt with the three main International airports of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, although domestic airports, too underwent renovation interventions. In August 2007 a new international airport was started: the King Shaka International Airport is situated in the outskirts of Durban, northbound and its opening is scheduled for May 1st 2010; upon completion it will handle every year a maximum of 7.5 million passengers. On October 2nd, 2009 Mr. Sibusiso Ndebele, Minister of Transport, inaugurated the Bloemfontein airport, newly refurbished with an investment of 46 million Rand (=about 4.2 million Euro).
To manage the air traffic produced by some 500,000 tourists, about 35 million dollars have been invested in a Passenger Management Software System. ACSA ¡V Airport Company South Africa, made a 5-year agreement with the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), also hired by the Beijing International Airport on the occasion of 2008 Olympic Games. The System will be able to manage 78,000 passengers and 260 international flights every day, meeting any flexibility need during peak times.
For those who travel by car, South Africa offers an excellent road system, as well as a capillar car rental network. To improve city mobility the Government invested in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, running 18 hours a day and, in case of need, able to run for even 24 hours a day. Such a system provides stops at a distance of 500 metres each, equipped with CCTV cameras linked to a central control centre watching over the safety of citizens and tourists. The BRT System is already operating in Johannesburg, between Soweto and Ellis Park.
The first 80km stretch of the Gautrain, the high speed rail line connecting Johannesburg and Pretoria to the Johannesburg international airport, will also be available before the World Cup starts, as well as the connection between the airport and the central suburb of Sandton ¡V Johannesburg.
ACCOMMODATION CAPACITY During the Football Championship some 3.5 million people are expected in the country; 1.3 of them will be tourists, who, for at least 1/3 (450,000) should fly in from abroad. The South African accommodation system is ready to host them providing for some 202,000 rooms, 100,853 of which are located within 50 km. from the cities hosting the World Cup. The total number of rooms available is able to meet in full the demand and largely exceeds the 55,000 MATCH certified allotment FIFA originally requested. For the first time in the history of World Cup, certified accommodation structures also include alternative options such as Bed and breakfasts and Game reserves, which are very diffused all over South Africa. An added value for the football supporters who will visit South Africa and will have the chance to both attend the matches and experience a direct contact with nature.
SAFETY Safety and prevention, able to grant for a successful event, stand for a strategic priority for South Africa. The increase registered in arrivals to South Africa is very encouraging and confirms the very low incidence of the criminality factor upon foreign tourists. In June 2008 South Africa presented to FIFA a very detailed safety programme, including measures and actions able to face terroristic threats, criminality and violence in stadiums. Since then this plan has been regularly updated and approved by FIFA and during the World Cup will grant for the safety and the full success of such a relevant event. On the occasion of the Football Championship, South African Police Service - SAPS is currently spending 640 million rand (=60 million Euro) to hire 41,000 more agents (31,000 on permanent duty and 10,000 as reservists) Most of the police agents recruited for the FIFA World Cup have already experienced the management of big events. The countries taking part in the Championship will also provide special agents to support SAPS, help watching over the public and solve any problem relating to language or cultural diversity. Each of the 32 qualified countries shall at least appoint two police officers available during the whole competition.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS Telkom and Sentech are to supply ICT infrastructures during the World Cup, granting for an optical fibre system able to connect the 10 stadiums and the International Broadcasting Centre. The IBC will support more than 15,000 media from all over the world to broadcast the Championship and each stadium will be equipped with dedicated systems. In general terms, the country praises one of the most efficient and advanced communication system.
ELECTRICITY The Department of Energy grants that no problem will occur during the World Cup. Generators and back up systems have been provided in the stadiums, as requested by FIFA. Between 2007 and 2010 the provinces hosting the Championship invested over 300 million Rand (= about 27 million Euro) to purchase new generators and improve existing electric infrastructures.
TICKETS 2010 World Cup tickets can be bought on line since February 19th, 2009 on the FIFA official website (www.fifa.com), as well as in the main subsidiaries of the South African First National Bank (FNB). During the first three stages (also open to Tour operators) 2 million tickets were sold over a total availability of 3 million tickets valid for 64 official matches. From February 9th till April 7th 2010 a further lot of 400,000 tickets, valid for 53 official matches (not including the finals), are on sale. Costs vary according to matches and categories: the cheapest tickets range from 20 USD for the first round, 100 USD for the semifinals and 150 for the final match. On the average, tickets included in the first 3 categories range from 200-450 USD for the first round to 400-900 USD for the final match. Such costs are in line with the Germany world Cup¡¦s, which in 2006 registered an average of 136 USD/ticket, against South Africa¡¦s 139 USD/ticket.
ITALIAN TOUR OPERATORS African Explorer and Tre Emme Viaggi are the official tour operators appointed by FIFA to trade in Italy ad hoc travel packages, also including admission tickets for all official championship matches.
VOLUNTEER STAFF A total of 15,000 volunteers from all over the world will give their contribution to the best success of the World Cup. 80% of them comes from South Africa, 10% from other African countries, whereas the remaining 10% comes from the rest of the world. Following to a careful recruiting and a specific training, volunteers shall support the organization by assisting visitors, providing information, control transportation, etc.
SPORTS, ART AND CULTURE The World Cup offers a great opportunity to promote sport within the country. Since 2007 about 25 million Rand (=2.3 million Euro) have been invested in the 9 provinces of South Africa to develop sport activities in the most disadvantaged areas. A further investment of 212 million Rand (=19.5 million Euro) was made over the same period for the benefit of schools and sports associations. The Art & Culture Department will take the opportunity offered by such an out standing world event, and especially the opening and the final matches, to introduce the International community to African culture, presenting cultural identities and diversities by means of music, art, crafts, dance, fashion, enogastronomy, etc.
¡@ OFFICIAL LOGO
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¡@ ¡@ THE OFFICIAL POSTER In September 2007 FIFA invited South Africans to choose the 2010 World Cup official poster. It portrays a country in the shape of a man heading a ball to reflect the positive impact the Championship will produce all over the country. Bright, vibrant and celebratory, the colours of the poster are inspired by the South African flag, but also draw upon the African continent. The strong yellow background symbolizes the sun as the source of warmth, energy and life.
THE OFFICIAL SLOGAN ¡§Ke Nako. Celebrate Africa¡¦s Humanity¡¨. This is the 2010 World Cup official slogan. ¡§Ke Nako¡¨ means ¡§it¡¦s time¡¨ in the official Sesotho and Setswana language. ¡§It¡¦s time¡¨ for Africa to be seen as a new country, to enjoy the richness and the beauty of its resources, its warm hospitality, its humanity and friendship. The Football Championship will also offer the opportunity to show the entire world it¡¦s time for South Africa! ¡@ ¡@ ¡@ ¡@ ¡@
THE OFFICIAL MASCOT Presented in September 2008, Zakumi is the official mascot of 2010 FIFA World Cup, featuring a leopard with green mane. Its name is a composition of ¡¥ZA', standing for South Africa, and ¡¥kumi', which translates into ¡¥10' in various languages across Africa. ¡@ ¡@ ¡@
THE OFFICIAL DANCE: the rhythm of the World Cup
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For further information on 2010 FIFA World Cup: www.southafrica.net/2010 , www.cup2010.info , www.sa2010.gov.za
Press Office - MN srl
Further information:
South African Tourism MN srl Silvia Testoni Isabella Ceccano Tel: +39.02.43911765 Tel: +39 06 853763 Email:silvia@turismosudafricano.com Email: isabella.ceccano@mnitalia.com Website www.southafrica.net South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination. It is headed up by Chief Executive Officer, Ms Thandiwe Sylvia January-Mclean. ¡@ |
